Does anyone care to vote anymore?

John Munford's picture

For such an educated populace we have here in Fayette County, we sure don't seem to have a grasp on democracy.

In the election for the 72nd District seat on the House of Representatives, a mere 11.1 percent of the voters bothered to show up and cast their ballots.

Maybe those 3,608 people bothered to research the difference between the four candidates. If so, at least they made informed decisions.

The big question is: how do we encourage more people to vote? A made-for-TV show ala Survivor perhaps?

Are the candidates not backstabbing each other enough? (The bloggers sure seemed to take care of that!)

Is politics just too dirty for everyone to get involved with? Or is most everyone too happy or busy to care?

We have all these guys fighting overseas to defend our freedoms, and most of us can't bother to exercise one of the most important. Ugh!

Those of you who did vote, thank you. Let me know what your co-workers and neighbors say about why *they* didn't vote.

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Submitted by Jones on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 7:31pm.

I added $7,000 to what he was showing to come up with the number. I figure they threw on a lot more than that.

Brown came out to around $2.22 per vote if he only paid the $400 entry fee.

The level of misinformation out there was incredible. The Ramsey people were using scare tactics on the people in Fayetteville.

As far as the blogs, no one pays attention to them anyway.

Spear Road Guy's picture
Submitted by Spear Road Guy on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 7:17pm.

Most people think the government doesn't give a darn about them. There was a show on PBS around a month ago that highlighted the ones who do vote and found they vote on personality and appearance more than the issues.

I think that describes the House 72 race well. The runoff on December 4 was a very bad turnout.

Vote Republican


yardman5508's picture
Submitted by yardman5508 on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 5:38pm.

I heard a lot of comment today about how the vote represented how the people of Fayette County are so Republican and how the Democratic Party is so much out of step with what the people think. See...the election results prove it. What the election results prove is that the existing political structure HAS indeed failed, at least at the local level. The fact that the Democratic Party locally is willing to step out with new and different ideas about returning accountability to our elected officials and is willing to offer alternatives to "business as usual" proves that.

I know that it is a lot more work for the voters to take the time to actually review what the parties stand for (or in the case of the local Republicans, guess what they stand for} before making decisions about who to support. But thinking that any Republican is better than any Democrat just because of a name leads to these low voter turnouts and lack of caring on the part of the electorate. Keep the faith...and remember...

Democracy is not a spectator sport.


JeffC's picture
Submitted by JeffC on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 5:30pm.

Since only the Republicans had any chance of winning what was the point of voting. You live in a community where people applaud their representatives for revealing the names of covert CIA agents for partisan purposes; cheer the torturing of our enemies while accepting that their representatives will not pledge to use the institutions of the US government to prosecute foreign intelligence agencies that torture our soldiers; deny global warming because Al Gore thinks its true; think WMD’s were found in Iraq; blamed Shia Iraq when the Sunnis attacked us on 9/11; acquiesce to warrantless government wiretapping of US citizens; support extraordinary rendition; believe airport security procedures make them safer; refuse to connect North Korea’s reprocessing of their fuel rods to their production of a plutonium bomb; love the abrogation of habeas corpus and the implementation of kangaroo courts; have no concern with the loss of the United States international reputation; and positively swoon at the trick of increasing the national debt by 35% and passing it on to their children, grand-children and great-grand-children just as long as they don’t have to pay taxes.

Why would you want more of them to vote?

There were no liberals running.

Otherwise people would have turned out to vote against them.


Submitted by vox on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 7:25pm.

There were indeed liberals running - In fact, three of them. They did not win.

NUK_1's picture
Submitted by NUK_1 on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 7:02pm.

I'm not even a card-carrying Repub and I have to laugh at all that noise. I'm sure the actual republicans are mighty happy with that kind of defeatist attitude and that all hope is lost, why bother, no chance,etc. That pretty much guarantees a lock on their power in the future that is even stronger than now.

It took the Republican Party seemingly forever to break the stranglehold the Democrats had on the state of GA, but they did it, and then domination quickly followed. All those Dems jumping ship so fast to become Repubs...I'm sensing a pattern here that goes along with the concept of "all hope is lost, it's inevitable, why fight it?" The Repubs never would have gained squat if they had sat around not bothering to vote since the whole state was seemingly Dems and all that blah blah blah.

Personally, I could care less who votes or doesn't as long as who I vote for wins:)


AF A-10's picture
Submitted by AF A-10 on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 8:46pm.

Vox: Who were the 3 liberals and why would you call them "liberal?" Did you read anything about Steve Brown(R) and Kevin? And, I must ask, how does the current solidly REPUBLICAN leadership seem to be working for the people of construction.... I mean Peachtree City? How happy do we seem to be with the city's land use plan and adherence to it or lack there of?

NUK_1: You made me smile a little with this:

"It took the Republican Party seemingly forever to break the stranglehold the Democrats had on the state of GA, but they did it, and then domination quickly followed. All those Dems jumping ship so fast to become Repubs...I'm sensing a pattern here that goes along with the concept of "all hope is lost, it's inevitable, why fight it?" The Repubs never would have gained squat if they had sat around not bothering to vote since the whole state was seemingly Dems and all that blah blah blah.

Personally, I could care less who votes or doesn't as long as who I vote for wins:)"

How has the solidly Republican "domination" worked for Georgia? how does our infant mortality rate, literacy rate, teen pregnancy rate, divorce rate, and poverty level compare to nasty blue states like, say, Massechusets, New York, Illinois, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, Washington, Oregon, California, Vermont, etc.? And, as you are sensing a "pattern," have you bothered to look beyond your back yard to see what sorts of patterns are shaping up nationally? Do you truly see some redeeming righteousness in politics as usual as long as it wears red and promises tax cuts no matter the deficit? I am amazed at watching the rabid nature of republicans even with each other. You disavow Steve Brown's membership in the oh so prestigious republican club so that you can attack him while seemingly not breaking Ronald Reagan's rule number one. Democrats, to be sure, have no corner on righteousness, but I cannot recall in my 41 years of life seeing such a transformation of govt for the people into a very private operation which seemingly serves the interests of big business, real estate developers, and energy companies. And they have cheerleaders like the two of you escorting them all the way to the bank. I hate to think that Georgia, with the aid of Nuks and Voxs, will continue to accept the status quo, rejoice in 11% voter turn-out, and remain in the bottom 10th percentile WRT quality of life measures like literacy, divorce rates, and income. But as long as who you want wins, it doesn't matter NUK? See you in 2008 bud.

Kevin "Hack" King


NUK_1's picture
Submitted by NUK_1 on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 10:44pm.

I don't buy all the Republican snake-oil any more than I do the Democrats' views. In the past, it was somewhat easier to vote for a Republican, but the neo-con movement of huge spenders, fear-mongerers, and big love for a bigger, more controlling govt has alienated me from them. Bring back Barry Goldwater.

I never said that I didn't think Brown was a Republican,either. I did say that this county's Repubs don't really consider him to be any more than a RINO, but if someone asked me, I'd say Brown is probably a Republican to some degree. That was hardly an issue with me in any event.

Do I think the Repub domination in GA has been "good" or "bad?" I think so far it's been one helluva wasted opportunity, much like the Bush presidency to some extent(or Reagan for that matter). A lot of potential gain and improvement has been squandered.


Submitted by Nitpickers on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 7:50pm.

Republicans as such didn't win over Fayette County.
The majority of the people who vote in Fayette are the above middle class people who always vote republican, as soon as they reach that level.
Fayette used to be primarily a poor County and they were democrats!
You see when you reach that level the taxes are a little higher and all you want is less for you to pay and more for the little guy.
I'll bet Oprah is very close now to being a republican---is now in most ways.

Spear Road Guy's picture
Submitted by Spear Road Guy on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 7:20pm.

Smiling

Vote Republican (Except Westmoreland)


Submitted by John M on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 11:04pm.

I agree with Spear Guy. When a college dropout like Westmoreland represents one of the most educated counties in the U.S., we've got problems. Is that really the best we can do in Fayette County: the least productive rep in Congress?

When you have these pols with matching IQ and waist size, there's not much to get excited about.

We'll see about Ramsey later on, but he sure didn't blow out any candles either. At least he has an education. Unfortunately, it's a law degree.

"I'm NOT John Munford"

AF A-10's picture
Submitted by AF A-10 on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 8:52pm.

Vote Republican.....(except for republicans Eye-wink )

Love that avatar. That's the look I have every time my 12 year old car starts in the winter. YEEEAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Kevin "Hack" King


BPR's picture
Submitted by BPR on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 9:45pm.

I don't know you all that well, we have spoken on here a little- but I just wanted to say:

Merry Christmas!


NUK_1's picture
Submitted by NUK_1 on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 8:06pm.

I already posted here numerous times what a bonehead I think Westmoreland is. I also JUST posted above(and previously)that I'm not even a republican! So, why do you think I have anything to do with Westmoreland getting re-elected?


Denise Conner's picture
Submitted by Denise Conner on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 8:13pm.

Have you checked to see if your password has been changed by one of Santa's elves?


AF A-10's picture
Submitted by AF A-10 on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 8:55pm.

Haven't seen my favorite girl rollin' with heat in a while? How goes it?

Kevin "Hack" King


Denise Conner's picture
Submitted by Denise Conner on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 9:03pm.

I've been trying to be good. Santa might be watching! Laughing out loud


AF A-10's picture
Submitted by AF A-10 on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 9:07pm.

but being on the naughty list does come with really good company Smiling . Hope you have a great Christmas, and please make a resolution to drag your hubby out with you to a blogger's coffee in '08: Preferrably sooner than later. I do suspect we've been in the same coffee shop at the same time? What do you think?

Kevin "Hack" King


Denise Conner's picture
Submitted by Denise Conner on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 9:12pm.

"I do suspect we've been in the same coffee shop at the same time?"

I'll never tell! Laughing out loud


NUK_1's picture
Submitted by NUK_1 on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 8:17pm.

and yesterday and the day before. I just roll with it:)


Mike King's picture
Submitted by Mike King on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 5:05pm.

to to generate the necessary interests or energy in the citizenry to make the sacrifice of a few minutes time to cast our ballot. If memory serves me right, just two short years ago Peachtree City had a great turn out. Sure, it was during a Presidential election, but the run-off was not and vote we did.
I guess that one who gets into public service and dares to go against the grain, subjects themselves to public scrutiny for better or worse. In doing so, interest is generated on both sides and votes are casts proportionately.
Other than having a major policy confrontation that directly affects all of us, we will continue to have low turnouts in off-year elections.
Peachtree City is now and will continue to be a bedroom type community where most work away from home and unless their daily routines are in jeopardy, they will remain content not to be involved. As long as we are kept safe and the utilities provided, we will continue to enjoy the lifestyle that we were fortunate enough to afford.
Some of us realize that the town we bought into years ago is changing, and for the most part that is good. The rapid and unchecked growth of the past ten years is disturbing especially when observed after realizing what is going on in neighboring cities and counties.
I would offer to Mr Munford that this site, while not perfect, is a start.


AF A-10's picture
Submitted by AF A-10 on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 8:59pm.

As Mr. Mumford said, is this what our brave military men are fighting to defend? 10% of our citizens participating in the democratic process? I sure hope the Iraqi version of democracy works better than ours. This level of apathy is troubling.

Kevin "Hack" King


Mike King's picture
Submitted by Mike King on Thu, 12/20/2007 - 10:56am.

to you and yours. The penquin said it best "I don't know and I don't care." in his response to John Munford.
Since it's turned out to be somewhat of a slow day, please allow me to offer another saying I picked up several years ago: "For those who have fought and almost died, life has a flavor the protected will never know." author unknown.


NUK_1's picture
Submitted by NUK_1 on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 11:34pm.

They literally risked their lives to show up in large numbers and vote when they had a chance. I guess the Iraqi's haven't had a chance to get fat, lazy and complacent about the basic freedom of voting and what it means.


hutch866's picture
Submitted by hutch866 on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 10:07pm.

I voted three times, that's all I could get away with, I figured if $ could do it I could too>

I yam what I yam....Popeye


Sniffles's picture
Submitted by Sniffles on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 4:39pm.

Last night we witnessed the consolidation of power in Peachtree City. Think of it as the local equivalent of "The Empire Strikes Back". The moneyed elite of Fayette county, usually referred to by the nebulous term "the Developers", have reasserted their political power to an extent not seen here in years.

They now own the Mayor of Peachtree City, Hal Logsdon; his faithful sidekick Steve Boone; a state representative and state senator in "Mix and Match"...err, I mean "Mitch and Matt" (Seabaugh and Ramsey, respectively). Add feckless U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland into the mix and you are perhaps one judgeship and the D.A. away from a political lock. At this point, I wouldn't be surprised to see Webb, Lindsey make a triumphant return as PTC attorneys....there's money to be made at the public trough.

What does this mean to John Q. Public? First and foremost, a negative impact on the quality of life here in Peachtree City. I suspect we'll see a flurry of questionable business deals and highly suspect rezonings. TDK or it's successor will be built. Traffic density will reach intolerable levels.

Dark times. Dark times.


cogitoergofay's picture
Submitted by cogitoergofay on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 8:39pm.

Sniffles: "Witty, Hall of Fame, Humorous"......Those are the words of my bride to describe your "Mix and Match", "Mitch and Matt"

Very Funny ! You have brought much wit and creativity to this site. Perhaps you and Denise can embrace in a Holiday Hug.


Denise Conner's picture
Submitted by Denise Conner on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 9:09pm.

"Perhaps you and Denise can embrace in a Holiday Hug." -- We have -- Sniffles, Main Stream, $, etc. Laughing out loud


DanTennant's picture
Submitted by DanTennant on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 4:31pm.

John, don't be ridiculous. Do you have any idea what a nuisance it is to vote? Have you ever heard of kids and working and cooking and cleaning and blogging? How naive of you to think we should reasonably be expected to get out in the freezing cold Georgia weather, drive our $50,000 SUVs to a ghastly public place (God knows what the bathrooms must be like) and then have the indignity of having to show ID to vote? Now our word is not even good enough to vote, John!

Voting takes time. It takes energy. It takes thinking and sorting and deciding. Man, people have way to much of that to do at work. It's more important to get home ASAP, pop open a Coors Lite and see what's on Entertainment Tonight.

Damn writer's strike, ruruns again tonight...


AF A-10's picture
Submitted by AF A-10 on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 9:02pm.

Haven't corresponded in a while. hope all is well. Have a great Christmas and watch out for the speed traps Smiling . Amazing turn out, wasn't it? What does this say about us, man?

Kevin "Hack" King


bad_ptc's picture
Submitted by bad_ptc on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 4:22pm.

I would venture a guess that most PTC citizens didn’t vote because they didn’t care.

PTC is just a place to come home after spending the day working somewhere else.

For the most part the people that work here don’t live here and the people that live here don’t work here.

The only way you’re going to get people to vote is to tax them if they don’t. Then you’ll have their attention.

The board of elections can tell you exactly which registered voters voted and those that didn’t.

Maybe those that didn’t vote should see a little increase in their property tax assessment.

What does the IRS do if you don’t file your taxes? Now you have incentive.

After that the only real problem remaining would be to get people to make educated voting decisions. I have no solution for that one.

Think of it like our current water shortage

90% of the populace either didn’t know or didn’t care that there was a water shortage until the Govt. came out with a penalty system. There’s your incentive to stop wasting water.

There was plenty of news coverage on the subject but up until the time there was a fine attached to it nobody took it seriously.

The only way you will get people to do something is to make them pay for doing it or make them pay for not doing it.

If people don’t perceive a consequence or there is no real consequence to their actions they have no reason to do anything differently.


pentapenguin's picture
Submitted by pentapenguin on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 4:11pm.

I'm sure being so close to Christmas didn't help turnout. As for your question, I really don't know, but it saddens me so few of my neighbors and friends care enough about the community to be active and vote.

I consider voting a duty. That's right a duty because we are the government in a republic. Not voting in my opinion is an abdication of responsibility. As Ben Franklin said, "[We have] a republic, if you can keep it." And right now we are losing it to special interests and politicians that care nothing for liberty because so few decent people bother to vote.

I guess maybe it goes back to the old question: what's worse in America -- ignorance or apathy? And the reply by too many people is "I don't know, and I don't care!"


AF A-10's picture
Submitted by AF A-10 on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 9:04pm.

Forget the coffee rallies. We need to roll up some Sunday News papers and go about Fayette County hitting non-voters on the head like those V-8 commercials!

Cheers,

Kevin "Hack" King


John Munford's picture
Submitted by John Munford on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 4:50pm.

"I don't know and I don't care." Too appropriate I'm afraid.

As to bad_ptc, how about this incentive: If you don't vote, we're making you eligible for the draft!

That might not scare the younger generation as much as it should, but hey it'll get their parents' attention!

Or maybe you have to either vote or give blood, which wouldn't be such a bad thing either.


yardman5508's picture
Submitted by yardman5508 on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 5:55pm.

if you don't vote you are letting me choose your leaders for you, 'cause I vote all the time. Keep the faith.

Democracy is not a spectator sport.


bad_ptc's picture
Submitted by bad_ptc on Wed, 12/19/2007 - 4:24pm.

Most people just don't care.


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