travisstoliker.com

Less than a week to election. I’m deciding who I will be voting for. Will my McCain friends, please provide me some reasons to vote for him?via Ping.fm - 12:41am - 21 Comments

Jim at 12:56am October 29 - He’s only slightly less liberal that Barack.

Don at 1:04am October 29 - Pity vote?

Jim at 1:15am October 29 - He looks like those other guys on the dollar bill and he doesn’t have a funny name?
http://travisstoliker.com/blog/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=151
Travis Stoliker at 1:15am October 29 - Don, I don’t think it’s going to be pity because I think McCain is going to win.

Don at 1:19am October 29 - Travis, you are right. just not in Michigan

Jim at 1:19am October 29 - I also think McCain’s going to win. There are still plenty of people out there that disagree with his politics, but won’t vote for Obama because of his race. That shouldn’t be an issue, but some people will never change. They will show strong support in public, but will change their vote in the privacy of the polling booth.

Travis Stoliker at 1:21am October 29 - I hate the electoral college sooo much Jim, The race dynamic is so sad. I have to credit both of the candidates though, neither of them really made race and issue and that was fucking awesome IMO.

Jim at 1:26am October 29 - It never should be about race or gender. My concern is whether their politics are somewhat closely aligned to my beliefs. They can be a funny shade of mauve for all I care. As for the electoral college, it still gives the states with smaller populations a voice in the elections. It’s not perfect, but without the e.c., Alaska wouldn’t make a difference.

Don at 1:32am October 29 - ok, if the EC is about small states having a say, don’t you think the election should actually be about the -people- having a direct say, (you know, like voting), and not just their states? The idea of the EC probably made great sense with only 13 states/commonwealths, but with 45% of people’s votes in some states being converted to votes for the other candidate through their elector(s), far more individual voters are being disenfranchised than caring about some uninhabited territories would make it worth.

Travis Stoliker at 1:36am October 29 - I also fundamentally think it’s sort of odd that the electoral voters are not required to cast their vote in accordance with the popular vote outcome of their state. I know most of them do and some states have laws that require it, but not all do, and it’s not a federal law. That’s just odd to me. It’s like the government saying through policy - “citizens, have your play vote, but if you fuck up, we know better”

Jim at 1:53am October 29 - I never did understand why all the states don’t require the e.c. to adhere to the popular vote. It’s that elitist attitude on both sides that says “you can’t be trusted to make the right decision”. Sorta like the superdelegates from the DNC. After the whole Wallace thing, it was obvious that the average voter couldn’t possibly be allowed to piss away the Whitehouse again.

Clint at 7:15am October 29 - I suppose the electoral college vs. popular vote thing could come in handy if, say, all the paperless voting machines in Pennsylvania report that Robocop wins but the popular vote without them has a real candidate winning.

Jason at 8:15am October 29 - In an election with two of the weakest candidates ever to make it this far: McCain is what Democrats used to be and Obama is obviously a Marxist. Voting for either one feels wrong. I believe Obama will win with more votes than actual voters as we creep towards third world status. So, vote your conscience.

Dirk at 8:46am October 29 - I’m writing in “No Confidence”

Joe at 9:20am October 29 - nader, nader, nader.

Dirk at 10:20am October 29 - “In sum, Obama may very well give Joe the Plumber a tax break, but only if Joe does not become too successful. Obama is offering real tax favors for the middle class, but not real benefits for the economy.”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/28/AR2008102802955.html?wpisrc=newsletter
Pretty clear to me…

Travis Stoliker at 7:15pm October 29 - Clint, Robo cop wouldn’t be half bad. Murphy was the shit!

Travis Stoliker at 7:16pm October 29 - Joe, if I was voting for a third party, it would most likely be the libertarian candidate Bob Barr (although his previous stances were rather horrible, I agree mostly with libertarianism.) Nader is an awesome individual though.

Travis Stoliker at 7:44pm October 29 - Dirk, Damn, we had to talk about Joe the plumber. Instead of saying “joe the plumber” lets say “you and I” since I assume we are both in his same tax bracket. “Obama’s tax plan gives you and I a tax break and if we are fortunate enough to become extremely successful in our own businesses, we’ll be taxed higher” - Okay, that seems pretty logical to me actually. Additionally, this is one of the principles of our progressive tax structure it is NOT unique to Obama. (of which McCain is in favor of also and continues in his policies).

As for the “no real benefits for the economy part” — In this progressive tax scenario we both are well aware that we would be paying a higher tax rate on income above a certain level. My question to you is would the progressive tax on your additional profits cause you to NOT seek the additional profits (ie: work harder, start your own business)? Of course it wouldn’t.

Travis Stoliker at 7:57pm October 29 - Jason, thanks for responding. I was really hoping for reasons to vote for McCain, not reasons to hate Obama.

The assertion that Obama is a Marxist can not be backed up when you compare each’s economic plans. You’re basing your characterization of him on who he hangs out with, an interview in 2001 and him saying “spread the wealth around” to that Joe the plumber dude.

I’m not comfortable judging someone based off a few words and the actions of their friends.

Sadly, when you name call someone and label them, the claim is it’s own truth. It is impossible to prove a negative. What I mean to say is, once you call someone a marxist, all they can say is “No, I’m not”. Just like once you call someone a racist, all you can say is “No, I’m not.” Neat tactic.

I disagree that these are weak candidates. I think McCain was an extremely strong candidate in 2000 and I certainly would have voted for him if he held those same beliefs. I also find Obama highly qualified for many reason

Travis Stoliker at 8:06pm October 29 - Thank you every one for trying to help me. I am still looking for reasons to vote for McCain, not so much reasons to hate Obama.

Look, I hate taxes as much as the next guy. But if you’re going to tell me how McCain’s going to cut taxes, also tell me what programs he’s cutting and how he’s planning to balance the budget.