Having the competency to vote, with thought, at least allows for one casting their own ballot, having examined the candidates.

Agree, some who are competent are foolish in the manner they vote.

But one who lacks the competency to make an informed decision never casts an self determined and informed vote.

Enough was heard here to make the issue pretty clear.

-----------------------------
Keeping it real and to the core of the issue, not the peripherals.

I do think a person should demonstrate some ability to think and reason to vote. I stated this at work and was attacked by a lady with a mentally challenged daughter. But if we allow people to vote that only vote according to the person that they have seen on TV the most...........well then you get the leadership that you deserve.

One should be required to be mentally competent to choose on their own. And, as from the good old Chicago area days, be alive.

-----------------------------
Keeping it real and to the core of the issue, not the peripherals.

PTC Guy,
Sometimes you amaze me. Are you saying the elderly should not discuss and listen to all viewpoints? If that is true, then why are so many people on this forum posting the pros and cons of the candidates? Why can't they "be mentally competent to choose on their own," as you stated? No discussions, just make your selection -- ON YOUR OWN? Is that what you are saying?

You are not paying attention to what happened.

They were confused and did not even know which party the ones they were going to vote for were in.

And obviously you have not dealt with elderly at this stage of life, meaning unclear and confused thinking.

Well, I have.

It is like having children around you that are much older than you.

You love them dearly, respect all they have gone through and done in life. And it makes you hurt inside at times they have come to this stage of life.

But such also can be easily coached and talked into how to do things. And what to say.

Coming in and immediately stating they only wanted to vote for some local candidates is a one clue.

When asked about which party they repeated only wanting to vote locally, indicating they did not understand the party affiliation issue at all. The were totally focused on and obsessed with voting for a certain candidate or two.

When pushed on the party issue, they got so confused they had to wait for more of their group to show up. Which group may have contained the one telling them to vote and for whom.

This happened, in the presidential election, in Flordia, in Miami-Dade and Palm Springs. They were being brought in, by groups, with aids telling them which places to punch, even helping them punch.

This happens in many places. And is allowed.

Their actions demonstrated they were not competent to make an informed and self determined decision on voting.

But in our PC country this, no driving tests for elderly, waiting for family to take away their drivers licenses, waiting for family to put them in assisted living, and so on, is how things are done.

Don't tell me I don't know what I am talking about. I can list out a bunch of proofs from around where I live, and from family experiences, and so on, to prove my point.

The government will not touch the elderly issues because of the power of their voting block. And, even being a member of AARP myself, AARP is a hinderance to getting something changed in these areas.

In summary and answer to your question. What happened here demonstrates they were not competent to make a choice on their own and vote. They could not even answer the questions required to get a ballot to vote at all.

-----------------------------
Keeping it real and to the core of the issue, not the peripherals.

You've obviously been down that road, as have I. You did well at grasping my point and frustration.

And still on it.

-----------------------------
Keeping it real and to the core of the issue, not the peripherals.

Mine is done.

Under the old Daily regime, the long dead were dedicated voters. Some even buried back in the 1800s were still voting.

-----------------------------
Keeping it real and to the core of the issue, not the peripherals.

The issue stated in the initial post was they were waiting on the rest of the group to vote. Any discussion concerning who to vote for within a certain distance of a polling station is considered to be campaigning and therefore illegal. You get to the station, you vote. If there are questions concerning the process, then the polls have staff to handle these questions.

They were told who to vote for, so what? The rest of the herd just cast their votes convinced by subliminal messages or vociferous voices (like the ones you can read on these blogs). Very few really have the social, critical consciousness to vote right, or make their vote null and send a message.

-----------------------------------
Making you think twice......

And you are one of the worst kind of those who do not know how to vote correctly.

Politics are all screwed up. No doubt to it.

Using the Congressional elections as an example, I don't see a single politician running purely for what the office needs to do.

If you think any of your liberal buds in DC are there for pure reason, you are naive.

-----------------------------
Keeping it real and to the core of the issue, not the peripherals.

Affects everyone, thus is everyone's business.

I guess the elderly being bused in during the Presidential election and told how to vote is none of our business as well?

The ones who use the elderly, in any manner, sure are not respecting them.

-----------------------------
Keeping it real and to the core of the issue, not the peripherals.

Why is the respect comment in quotations?

Or was that suppose to go to ImJustSaying?

-----------------------------
Keeping it real and to the core of the issue, not the peripherals.

You are right on the money.

My understanding is that the quotation sign is universally accepted recognition that should be a signal to you that I have quoted (borrowed) someone else's words. As for your advanced tutorial, the earliest use that comes to my mind would be the commandment to "Honor you mother and father" or for you, your elders. Familiar with that quote? Get a life!!

Cause that's a good one.

I have nothing but honor for the elderly. That is the main reason I don't want them to be used or taken advantage of because of what may be slipping capacity.

They have not only earned the right to vote but many of them fought for the right for me to vote. I just hope they are voting for what they truly believe in and not something they have been dupped into. I would hate for them to later learn they had been tricked into something that would take away from their beliefs or dignity.

Hey, you are right, he was hilarious.

you liked our district being the butt of his joke. Glad we found common ground to agree on. That's what makes harmony out of diversity.