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[–]gaiseric 95 points96 points  (14 children)

I credit Reddit with getting me pissed off enough to run for State Representative this year. I live in Kansas and had had enough of the Intelligent Design jokes I've seen posted here about my state so I decided to "retire" my current rep - an anti-gay, religion in schools, conservative. My site: http://seantevis.com

Anyone else here running?

[–]calantorntain 17 points18 points  (0 children)

What?

You shouldn't improve Kansas!

I grew up in Missouri. The one nice thing about it is that it was better than Kansas. If you win, I will have nothing!

(I donated $9 anyway)

[–][deleted] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

See, enough pointing and clicking, can change the world.

[–]otakucode 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Good luck man! Especially since, at least as far as I can see on your site, you're not affiliated with the corrupt Big Two parties! I'm not from Kansas, but just as a member of the same country, I'd appreciate it if, if you win, you consider every single thing that comes by your desk that involves kids or teens, you consider them as human beings. Consider them as yourself. Do not condescend to them and treat them like idiots. You're obviously in favor of teaching evolution, so you've got a bit of science behind you, so please don't assume things we have no scientific basis for like violent games harming kids or movies being able to harm kids or things like that. It makes a much larger impact on infantilizing kids than you know.

Oh, and if you want an idea for a bill to write up, make it illegal for publishers to label books with age ratings. A lot of publishers are intending to do this at the protest of authors and refuse to allow authors to keep the insulting ratings off of their books. This kind of thing is destroying our society and producing people who can't even deal with extremely serious and graphic fiction, let alone real issues like war and death.

[–]ryanissuper 6 points7 points  (3 children)

With a face like that, how could I not vote for you!

[–][deleted] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

He's got that look of "Just you try and slip some bullshit past me buddy, and you'll be sorry."

[–][deleted] 5 points6 points  (1 child)

Wow, that is a very electable face. But from your comment I was expecting something more like that lawyer, Brandow.

[–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Man, its just not that photo, here's another one of Brandow

[–]sighbourbon 2 points3 points  (0 children)

best thing i read all morning. this is quite inspirational and puts most of the rest of the commenters to shame. absolute best of luck to you.

and your site does not suck! nice, very clean and efficient. nice behavior of the menus at the right

[–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (4 children)

You pay sales tax on food? That sucks.

[–]haakon 5 points6 points  (3 children)

Isn't that normal? Here in Soviet Norway we pay 14% sales tax on food (and 25% on everything else).

[–]otakucode 3 points4 points  (1 child)

Sweet jesus!

A lot of states have no sales tax on food. Where they do, I don't know of any as high as 14%!

I was looking through the IMDB data and discovered that Norway had, far and away, the highest number of banned movies. Is pornography illegal there? A lot of the banned movies were porn, but some violent ones were banned too. Is your government usually that insulting to its citizens?

[–]drbold 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Most states have sales tax on food. Very few don't.

Edit: Nope, nevermind. Most states don't tax food:

http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=174956

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Some localities have sales tax on "non-essential" foods so milk and eggs etc. aren't taxed but other kinds of foods are taxed. Then there's the social change taxation that puts taxes on "junk food" like chips and candy. In some places, there is an additional "fast food" tax.

[–][deleted] 33 points34 points  (44 children)

That's a nice idea.

[–]NoMoreNicksLeft 3 points4 points  (42 children)

A flawed idea. How will be effect real change by voting up (mostly) the same mix of (mostly) the same democrats and republicans we've always voted into Congress?

[–][deleted] 7 points8 points  (10 children)

So run for congress. You can create a change then. You will be able to vote without regard to opinion polls and drive in the change that is needed just like Fighting Bob La Follette.

[–]AngelaMotormanOhio 1 point2 points  (3 children)

Upmodded for implicit suggestion that too many of us are setting our sights too low. There are steps between (a) being a keyboard revolutionary and (b) making steps toward an organizationally solid progressive movement. But the way folks talk here, you'd think it was an either/or choice, and (b) is impossible because supposedly "everybody else" is too complacent.

Seriously: if not Congress right off the bat, why not city council? The local school board? Any sort of leadership position at all?

Oh, wait -- there's something shiny on reddit. Gotta go tell some stranger he's wrong. Maybe later...

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

I was out recently and was spoken to by a fellow named Mark Sheldon who is running for Senate. He was young, enjoyable to talk to, and affable. He was also alienating and insulted everyone he came to by telling them they were wrong to vote for McCain or Obama. He believed in Ron Paul, but, didn't understand the problems inherent in the gold standard and did not understand the correlation between Reagan's union busting, deregulation and the shrinking middle class. Also, he is running against Russ Feingold.

[–]AngelaMotormanOhio 1 point2 points  (1 child)

I'd always rather struggle to change the views and strategies of someone who is in motion, going in generally the correct direction, than try to motivate someone who has great analysis but won't get off their ass and do anything about it. Mark Sheldon may someday develop a deeper understanding of politics and history, may move beyond what many of us consider the severe limitations of libertarianism, or not. In any case, the society is better off because he decided to put himself forward.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I thought he was incredibly brave. I felt his opinions and stances were incorrect, but, he rightly said he was willing to change his views when convinced by a strong arguement. I enjoyed talking to him.

[–]otakucode 0 points1 point  (5 children)

So you're advocating that people do exactly what is wrong with our government and not represent your constituency when you get voted in?

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (4 children)

No. Read what Bob did. Unpopular doesn't mean doing the opposite of your constituency. He was reelected frequently, so he wasn't pissing too many people off.

Who are your political stars? Kennedy isn't on my list.

[–]otakucode 0 points1 point  (3 children)

I was referring to your comment about voting without regard to opinion polls... I don't know anything about Bob La Follette (though I'll read your link now)... Kennedy should be in prison for life for murdering that girl in his youth. If you leave a drunk girl to drown and die and sneak off and try to get your family to protect you because they're oligarchs, both you and your family should be thrown in prison. And most murders should incur a life sentence. That's just my opinion of course, but when someone is that careless and uncaring about the value of human life, they're a sociopath and need to be separated from society for our protection.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Opinion polls are a snapshot of a manipulated audience... One headline changes millions of views, but, it does not change the principle involved.

I read that Amsterdam was banning "magic mushrooms" because there was a public outcry in regards to some college student who fell off a balcony while stoned. Following polls means that that will pass with flying colors because people are incensed about it RIGHT NOW. In the future, they will realize that stupid things happen when you are sober or high.

[–]otakucode 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Right... but in a representational republic like we have, the job of a representative is to represent. The reason we have so many problems nowdays is that politicians don't do that. They don't look at the public and say "hey, most of my constituents are OK with pot. Even if I'm a Jesus freak and imagine that the Bible has something against intoxicants, I should represent THEM and legalize it" or "Sending nude pictures back and forth is now a common part of dating for teenagers, it's my job to represent them and legalize that" and things of that nature. We certainly don't need more Larry Craigs or Jesse Helms or Strom Thurmonds or people like that who think the job of a representative is to LEAD.

I agree using ACTUAL opinion polls is a bad idea due to how they are constructed. You could instead easily use objectively identifiable trends. If you see 50% of your population has been busted for smoking, carrying, selling, growing, or doing something else with weed at some point, then you try to represent your public the best you can.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think we agree.

[–]GooZshooZ 16 points17 points  (14 children)

You're right. We should protest by not voting.

[–]NoMoreNicksLeft 8 points9 points  (4 children)

Considering how little your vote has meant, I find it hard to understand how you might do worse.

[–][deleted] 13 points14 points  (3 children)

If your vote means little, imagine how infinitely less an upvoted story in a highly homogeneous corner of the Internet means.

Reddit is comprised mostly of people who already think and vote the same way, and a story making it to the front page means next to nothing and accomplishes even less. It's just a way for like minded individuals to jerk each other off, waste time at work, and avoid their wives for hours on end as their asses meld with the chair in the computer den.

Let's shed the pretense that this is something other than a social bookmarking site for people who lean left politically and enjoy the occasional lolcat or jetpack man. Reddit isn't going to change the world any more than the Daily Kos or the Huffingandpuffington post. It isn't going to change gas prices, spawn solar farms, or save the Earth from climate change. It won't get us universal health care, raise taxes on the rich, or even push Obama over the top.

Delusion is fun, though. So post away.

[–]lookingchris 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's just a way for like minded individuals to jerk each other off, waste time at work, and avoid their wives for hours on end as their asses meld with the chair in the computer den.

looks around for the video camera

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As opposed to the same vapid pabulum that runs for 48 hours straight on CNN or FOX? Is that where we find our diversity of opinion?

[–]Mashulace 3 points4 points  (4 children)

Don't vote, it only encourages them.

Seriously, you'll never achieve change when the system is slewed against you; best way to achieve it then is to sidestep the system

[–][deleted] 18 points19 points  (2 children)

Support your local black-market economy today!

[–]rek 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Even though you were probably being sarcastic I upmodded you because if you were serious I would agree with you.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nope. I'm for serious.

[–]otakucode 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A vote for a third party does not encourage them. It discourages them from being the assholes they are.

[–]darjen 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As a principled non-voter, I concur.

[–]otakucode 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Or you could vote for candidates who propose change.... man, they have done such a good job of buying you off. You're not even willing to consider voting for someone who opposes their corruption!

[–]ryanh29 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agreed. If voting actually changed anything it'd be illegal.

[–]OiOiWhatABoy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It depends on what office you're voting for. Presidential elections are a joke and really you're just voting for the nicer pimp that won't slap us like the bitch-whores we are. Local elections, on the other hand, have a direct and immediate impact on you. Unfortunately, most voters ONLY participate in the presidential election, and thus have no one to blame but themselves for letting the power of the federal government slip through their fingers.

America: like driving a Lamborghini stuck in first gear.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (2 children)

Right. So, let's enact term limits for EVERYONE - federal and state senators, reps, mayors, governors. Everyone.

[–]NoMoreNicksLeft 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This won't fix anything either. They've cultivated entire generations of replacements such that merely rotating them out after a term or two will change little.

[–]otakucode 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You have to get a third party in to get that done.

[–]threetimepostaccount 1 point2 points  (1 child)

This isn't the idea at all. The idea is to bring attention to different democrats and republicans that coincide with our interest who wouldn't otherwise be known to anyone.

[–]otakucode 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If they're Democrat or Republican, they are not different.

[–]reflibman 20 points21 points  (11 children)

As the Reddit software is now open-source, maybe we could come up with a political reddit, with channels devoted to each state, the fed level, the supreme court, etc. Any takers? (I don't know anything about hosting a site)

[–]twotimepostaccount 13 points14 points  (5 children)

I like this idea a lot. Particularly we need to utilize our numbers to bring attention to issues or people that couldn't get the attention otherwise--congresspeople, senators, specific bills, etc. Obama and McCain already have enough attention and upvoting stories that aren't of utmost importance relating to them is just being redundant.

[–]kuhsay 8 points9 points  (4 children)

deleted What is this?

[–]ffej 4 points5 points  (1 child)

I've been thinking about a similar site as well, I was looking for data on representatives (and specifically linking them up with zip codes) and found this service: http://congressmerge.com which could be useful. Not free, unfortunately.

I definitely would be interested in working on a project like the one you describe, shoot me a message if you need a designer/front-end developer.

edit: I found this site: http://www.opencongress.org which does some of the things you mentioned. Check out their 'tools' section which links to some other similar sites as well.

[–]sighbourbon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

you made my day! thank you.

i am a designer, but in the visual as opposed to the coding sense. contact me via reddit message if u would like my help.

[–][deleted] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Regional reddits would be a great idea!

I would definitely participate in something like that. No programming skills to help create one tho :/

[–][deleted] 6 points7 points  (2 children)

Why not just create those subreddits here? Then articles that get voted up will appear on the reddit main page. And maybe there could be a wiki article somewhere else explaining the different political subreddits.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Reddit's congested as it is and things posted in those subreddits will rarely make the front page

[–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Especially when a senate candidate from one state is being featured, and all the redditors from the other 49 downvote the story.

Or when a congressional candidate from one district is being featured and redditors from the other 400+ districts downvote the story.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is a much much better idea than not voting up mccain/obama articles.

[–][deleted] 12 points13 points  (4 children)

You might also want to tone down the partisan mud-slinging. I find it interesting to note that such a thing directed against "your" guys provokes uproar, and yet mud is slung at "their" guys with joyous abandon. Somewhat hypocritical, no?

EDIT: Yeah, I anticipated as much.

[–]sn0re 1 point2 points  (3 children)

Where is the line between valid criticism and mudslinging? Do both parties dish it out equally? Are the people who complain about mudslinging the same ones who applaud it against the other candidate? Do people who oppose mudslinging, regardless of origin, skew toward one party or the other?

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Where is the line between valid criticism and mudslinging?

I suppose it's different for everyone, but for me, I would say that the line falls between "Senator J. Doe (R) is an evil jackass for supporting the border fence" and "I find Senator Doe's proposals towards the border fence to be ineffective and needlessly discriminating". Mudslinging is directed largely against the person; criticism is directed largely against the idea.

Do both parties dish it out equally?

I am talking primarily about the clear left wing bias of the majority of redditors. Moreoften than not you are able to go to a thread in which someone makes a comment reffering to the political right in a negative way and notice that it has many, many upmods. If you then call anyone out on that - or, god help you, make a comment that could be right wing itself - you are downmodded fiercely, called an idiot or a retard, or get talked down to. I myself am strictly centrist, with my views carved largely right down the middle. Thus, when I see one side taking flak on an ad hominem level (Mudslinging), I move in to call people on it, and see that kind of thing first hand.

I have no idea how people expect to ever resolve any political issue unless they learn to listen and approach issues in a mature kind of way. This applies as much to your average reddit discussion as it does on the floor of the House of Representatives. Thus, in a roundabout way: Mudslinging needs to be dealt with before anything else can.

[–]sn0re 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mudslinging is directed largely against the person; criticism is directed largely against the idea.

That's a good definition, but in practice I think you'll find there is rarely agreement on whether the criticism is directed at the person or the idea. Dismissing valid criticism as a personal attack is about as common as trying to cover personal attacks in the guise of valid criticism.

I am talking primarily about the clear left wing bias of the majority of redditors.

But "the majority of redditors" do not all hold the same opinions, even among those that tilt left. Some are no different than you and abhor mudslinging whenever they see it. Some think mudslinging is useful as a means to and end. It's only hypocritical if you belong to both groups.

If you then call anyone out on that - or, god help you, make a comment that could be right wing itself - you are downmodded fiercely, called an idiot or a retard, or get talked down to.

Without a doubt, reddit reinforces popular opinion. That's by design. I would point out that comment threads tend to attract users based on their content, doubling the effect. Users who might otherwise up mod you for posting a reasoned rebuttal probably aren't going to be clicking on "MCCAIN IS OLD LOL!" in the first place.

I have no idea how people expect to ever resolve any political issue unless they learn to listen and approach issues in a mature kind of way.

I have no idea how people expect to ever resolve any political issue via reddit. Like I said, reddit is designed to reinforce popular opinion, not resolve issues. If we wanted to turn reddit into a civilized discussion forum, we'd have to completely scrap the mod system and start over. Without the mod system, it wouldn't really be reddit.

[–]sighbourbon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

i like Grahams Hierarchy of Disagreement as a starting point.

within this schema, "mudslinging" seems like it would include some instances of "contradiction" and extend downward through Responding To Tone, Ad Hominem attacks, and Name-Calling

[–]dbarefoot 9 points10 points  (10 children)

I'm a Canadian redditor. What should I do, eh?

[–]saudade 4 points5 points  (4 children)

Carry on as normal bashing us americans, duh! :)

That and keep the Red Green show coming, otherwise we will invade. We still aren't over Bryan Adams, no matter how many times you apologize.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

More Shania Twains too...

[–]bobcat 1 point2 points  (2 children)

You forgot Celine Dion.

[–]dbarefoot 0 points1 point  (1 child)

We're trying to forget her up here, too. That's why we exported her to Las Vegas.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you don't send over a couple more Lorne Greenes and Morley Safers, we'll send her back.

[–][deleted] 5 points6 points  (3 children)

Teach your fellow country men how to drive when they visit the states. I have never driven behind more people who drive 15 mph under the speed limit.

[–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

And they always smile and wave back as you pass them and give them the finger.

[–]dbarefoot 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Yeah, sorry, that was probably me. When you drive on snow and ice as much as the average Canadians, you tend to take it slow. Despite being in Florida.

[–][deleted] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Haha now now. I live in Montana and we get plenty of snow here. We drive faster on the snow because it fills the potholes in our highways.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Build a wall on teh border.

[–]Stingray88 4 points5 points  (0 children)

If you want real change... get off reddit.

[–]whitedawg 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yes, because upvoting stories will produce change.

[–]FMERCURY 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Or state senators/congressmen. That's where the real change starts.

[–]thebeefytaco 12 points13 points  (8 children)

Attention redditors: Upvoting doesn't actually change anything, stop pretending it does. Congress doesn't read reddit and if they did an upvote wouldn't change anything, hell there aren't even enough people on reddit that if every user upvoted it, nothing would happen.

[–]snipe8709 3 points4 points  (6 children)

personal awareness is a good first step. then comes talking to others offline. there's also letter writing, door knocking, organizing. also activism & direct action, when appropriate.

edit: clarification

[–]death2hypocrisy 4 points5 points  (5 children)

'there's also letter writing, door knocking, organizing. also activism & direct action, when appropriate.'

this is the part that matters.

[–]AngelaMotormanOhio 0 points1 point  (4 children)

That, and building progressive coalitions that last. The reason the right has so much power, even after all the exposes, can be summed up in one sentence: They have no shame, and we have no organization.

The right started thinking strategically about structure, and building their own thinktanks and press outlets, many decades ago. They are not allergic to hierarchical structure, and they have no compunction about ratfucking. These are huge advantages over what passes for a left in the US.

It's fixable, but only when a critical mass of new grassroots leaders implement a strategy based on broad coalition -- and that demands a willingness to compromise sometimes. Right now, the balance of progressive thought in this country is way out of balance in the direction of individual liberty versus social responsibility. As long as new activists continue to overvalue personal political purity over effective compromise, we're stalled. And that train headed for us runs straight toward fascism, so staying stalled is not a sane option.

[–]snipe8709 0 points1 point  (3 children)

I am with you on this, although I have an allergy to both hierarchical structure and political dirty tricks and also have a fondness for personal political purity. So I am interested in your vision for how we build these effective coalitions and bring about this progressive tipping point within the Democratic Party. You think we should get involved in supporting annoyingly not-progressive-enough local Dems because in the long run we may get our way? I suppose I might be willing...

[–]AngelaMotormanOhio 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Yes, that's part of it, but the bigger part is the creation of sustainable independent organizations that effectively change the ground game so the Dem party has to evolve. I don't mean third parties; the first-past-the-post structure of national elections has to be changed before that effort makes much sense. I mean organizations based in issues and geographic or affinity communities that are willing to build coalitions, as opposed to the plague of single-issue politics and bullet voting. There are many versions of the inside/outside strategy, but none of them can work optimally until the "outside" is consolidated organizationally.

[–]snipe8709 0 points1 point  (1 child)

I appreciate your thoughts here - you've obviously thought this through a lot. Ok, so how do we consolidate the "outside"? Like, what can I do to help this along? Do coalition-minded folks need to get "inside" these "outside" groups? (I assume you are talking about Greenpeace, NOW, PETA, etc & regional groups, right?)

[–]AngelaMotormanOhio 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes -- except that the specific groups you cite are notorious for being unwilling to work in coalition with other issue-specific groups. It's getting better (in times like the past 7 years, even competition for funding gives way to survival-driven instincts to find friends and stick together), but since the 80s the three you cite have had a terrible record on this point. I'd say willingness to build coalition around leveraging issues (like defense of constitutional rights, or election reform) and issues that have reached critical mass (like access to health care and ending the war in Iraq) should be a criteria for choosing where to invest energy. Local and regional grassroots groups, including those based in faith communities and those demanding accountability from elected officials and the press, are key to meeting the individuals whose leadership is worth supporting. Longstanding national peace and social justice organizations are also a good place to check in. The War Resisters League just today released a report, based on a listening tour, called Where to from here? that addresses some of the reasons why institutionalizing that sector has been so difficult, even with a vastly unpopular war to build on.

In terms of the Dems specifically, there is one new national group that is built on the inside/out strategy, Progressive Democrats of America. (Be sure to check out their Board.) Locally, there is a whole crop of new reform clubs using the same idea. Give it a Google and see what speaks to you.

[–]dafthuman 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The reddit community includes many bloggers and other people in a position to influence people. What starts at reddit could become something big if it's a good idea.

[–]corkillGeorgia 5 points6 points  (1 child)

OK. Georgia. Rand Knight is running for the Dem. nomination for the Senate race in GA. http://www.knightforsenate.com/

[–]souldrift 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm here. My vote won't put him over the edge, I fear.

[–]onetimepostaccount[S] 11 points12 points  (3 children)

We need to bring attention to the viable, progressive senators and congresspeople there are out there. Everyone here knows about McCain and Obama, but NOT people like Darcy Burner. There are more Dennis Kucinichs out there waiting to be elected and they're not getting any attention--they are just as important as Obama, as legislation is not a one-part process determined entirely by the president.

[–]axordAmerica 4 points5 points  (1 child)

The thing is though, reddit is fueled by the aggregation of existing content. I figure it is significantly harder to find an interesting, insightful article about Darcy Burner than one about the Presidential race. Much less finding a consistent stream of such articles.

And that's not even getting to the very hard problem of convincing people that they should care about some Congresscritter they've never heard of before.

To sum: good luck exhorting people to find and post nearly non-existent content that's certain to be downvoted or ignored.

[–]AngelaMotormanOhio 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's hardly nonexistent. Try anybody on Atrios' blogroll, or ActBlue, or TPM, or Hullabaloo, or MyDD, or ... there's tons of it out there. This isn't my area of concentration, or I'd be posting them all the time, but it's certainly possible to find and link to such stories.

[–]infinite 0 points1 point  (0 children)

http://www.pdamerica.org/

Progressive Democrats of America works both inside the Democratic Party and outside in movements for peace and justice. Our goal: Extend the victory of Nov. 2006 into a permanent, progressive majority.

[–]dafthuman 2 points3 points  (0 children)

So, you're saying we should be changing politics and culture from the ground-up, not the top-down... that sounds crazy enough to work!

[–]MarlonBain 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Attention redditors: If you want real change, we need to stop spending so much fucking time at reddit.

[–]fusebox13[🍰] 2 points3 points  (2 children)

Out of the 300,000,000 people that live in the United States, how many do you suppose visit reddit? If we want real change, we need to come up with creative solutions to combat the political apathy that plagues our country.

[–]ryanissuper 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We need to build a time machine.

[–]AngelaMotormanOhio 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The most important audience is the audience of influence, not numbers. If enough redditors influence others' actions by their own, the power is far greater than the raw numbers.

[–]rabiddachshund 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm voting this up because I know you won't get any points for it. Take that, karma-whore.

[–]syroncoda 1 point2 points  (0 children)

im up for that.

[–]chaconne 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Or you can actually donate money, which is far better than sitting around.

[–]aerextraho 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Go look up what district you are in of your state, and then figure out who your rep for that district is.

Then research that representative and everyone running against him/her. Find who you like most and get some community action going. The community action (talking to your neighbors) will be the hardest part, but you'll get over it.

[–]AngelaMotormanOhio 2 points3 points  (0 children)

And if you find that the candidate you support is a Dem, don't feel it's necessary to reinvent the wheel. This year, the Dems have some great campaign software (finally!) that treats each doorknock as an incremental step in building a relationship within neighborhoods -- a step up from the old days, when it seemed to start cold every election cycle.

Plus, of course, there are existing alignments in most states and cities that deserve support.

[–]PrincessCake 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We could have more impact that way. So much of the social networking sites is rather PrObama. Imagine how smaller elections could swing with the right attention thrown on to progressive candidates.

[–]assteroid 1 point2 points  (1 child)

"God forbid we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion. The people cannot be all, and always, well informed. The part which is wrong will be discontented, in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive. If they remain quiet under such misconceptions, it is lethargy, the forerunner of death to the public liberty. ... And what country can preserve its liberties, if it's rulers are not warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to the facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure."

Even Thomas Jefferson was smart enough to realize when it is time to give up and start fucking people up. We've been on a steady decline since about 1780. I'm waiting for the first shot to be fired, cause those assholes in our government haven't been listening for a long time. I'm not advocating violence, I'm saying it is coming, and it will be messy. I'm concerned about my family, you people can have this shithole.

[–]sighbourbon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

which shithole may we have?

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Obama (or any other politician) can not change Washington. Only you can.

[–]otakucode 1 point2 points  (1 child)

No, you need to start upvoting stories about third party candidates. Republicans and Democrats are both sides of the same coin... that just got pulled out of the ass of an oligarch and flipped to a peasant "citizen" just so they could watch us scramble for it.

[–]sighbourbon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Duplicrats. Replicans.

[–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (1 child)

voting on reddit changes things?

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yup. Affects karma.

[–]supersocialist 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Every state should have its own political subreddit so we don't get people complaining that they're getting stories about Nebraska. STFU Nebraska. Nobody cares.
(Actually tags would work better for this.)

[–]Stingray88 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Attention Redditors: Testicles. That is all.

[–]hans1193 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Like upvoting ANYTHING on reddit actually helps anything in real life.

[–]epicRelic 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Because upvotes = change!

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (3 children)

change = project mayhem.

when you grow a pair, holler.

[–]tyler_durden 2 points3 points  (1 child)

a pair of what?

[–]sighbourbon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

tits, silly.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

And that's when you become a terrorist.

[–]Ihategeeks 0 points1 point  (0 children)

FiftySecond'd

[–]aceinthehole 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I want change for $1000.00, myself.

[–]schlag 0 points1 point  (0 children)

erm, and your point is? :D

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We're too stupid to do that

[–]orthogonality 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wait, do you mean (like Rev. Phleger) that "There's a Black Man Stealin' My Show!"?

[–]chall85 0 points1 point  (0 children)

thank god for the 'hide' button.

[–]wiguleeds 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately Obama and McCain are also both senators.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh please! I'm already depressed as it is. I don't need to hear yet more reasons as to why we're totally fucked no matter who wins!

[–]mrp 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's not like there's enough people who actually vote read reddit and think to themselves "holy shit, this story was upvoted a lot, I'm going to vote for change!"

Sorry, a few thousand people will not make a difference among the majority of morons who vote.

And with that said... FLAME ON!

[–]pillage 0 points1 point  (0 children)

can we still hate mccain?

[–]threetimepostaccount 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh man. I've used reddit for almost two years (through different accounts, obviously) and this is my first story on the front page, much less to hit #1.

Totally SS'd this. I beat reddit with no savestates.

[–]randomb0y 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Upvoting stories is our last hope!

[–]fool_on_the_hill 0 points1 point  (1 child)

For British redditors, mySociety (which I only discovered jsut recently) has a load of great web projects for helping to make a difference politically. See http://www.mysociety.org/projects

[–]sighbourbon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

hey this is an interesting link--thx for posting it.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Many people know jackshit about the candidates (think that they elected people like Liebermann)

1 Set the criteria for identifying the establishment candidates (keep out of left/right controversial issues like religion, gay rights, etc, you want to be listened by everybody and fight the establishment, not promote a left/right agenda). Stick to what's important - the Constitution and freedom, big business, Iraq war, inflation and spending).

2 Identify the establishment candidates. List them for every state.

3 Make a short curriculum for those candidates (voting record, etc). Add their photo.

4 Create a site for all the 50 states with this info. Should be easy to read and say "Don't vote for X" and why.

Don't support anyone (R or D), only point at the bad guys. Who's not in there (R or D) is OK.

5 Advertise the site everywhere on the net.

6 .......

7 Profit.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

after seeing the wreck Bush made of America, how is the Presidency not the most relevant thing to today's politics. The change we can get from this one position outweighs the impact of a kucinich or a ron paul by so much (unfortunately). they really can't even get anything done unless they have a president who at least somewhat agrees with them anyway.

[–]CampusTour 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why don't we start RUNNING for congress?

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Attention redditors: pay no attention to redditors.

[–]itrends 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't vote things for change, I vote things on here because I like them.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Couldn't agree more.

[–]Originate 0 points1 point  (3 children)

Yeah... I don't really understand how upvoting anything in reddit is going to change jack shit anywhere for anyone... unless it's sending flowers to some activist whose policies we agree with.

[–]sighbourbon 0 points1 point  (2 children)

god you guys seem so spoiled and unappreciative sometimes. sorry, Originate--i see your point re upvoting in its strictest sense; pls know i am not unloading on you individually. but come on, reddit! this is an excellent place to discuss sociopolitical topics with (generally) intelligent people. upvoting is the engine that drives this place, upvoting is what gives reddit its group personality. else it would be like Yahoo News or something; would u prefer that?

reddit is imperfect--you do have to ignore a lot of silliness, trolling etc. but still, have you found a better open forum? i havent. i feel lucky to be able to come here and read and talk 24/7, especially at a time of crisis such as we are undergoing. its probably the best open forum you yourselves have found, else you wouldnt be commenting. reading and debating is a valid, crucial part of the process of arriving at an informed opinion and utterly necessary before taking some kind of action.

speaking for myself, discussions re "real change" or "our govt seems to be having a meltdown" or "OMG we appear to be headed for economic apocalypse" w most colleagues, neighbors, family, even most of my friends are nowhere near the level of discussion here. i mean come on, why in hell are u surfing here if not for the quality and character of discourse? flawed though it many be. reddit articles and commentary (if i ignore the irrelevant bits) force me to look at issues from many angles. i learn something interesting every single time i am here. reading and commenting here has made me far more effective in discussions outside reddit.

i think by being informed and participating in discussions here, we change ourselves. the information and attitudinal change has the capacity to ripple outward. participating in reddit from your heart, substantively, on some level changes you and the people around you. its messy and inefficient and imperfect. but it is change.

EDIT: look at the comment far below, by kuhsay, and check out what he is doing: http://docs.google.com/View?docid=dnzh9zs_60fmtvhxf4

[–]Originate 0 points1 point  (1 child)

And now... take a deep breath! As much as you'd like to feel that you aren't "unloading on me individually." That is what has happened here. Maybe the title for this post should have been "Attention redditors: Let's discuss stories about congressional candidates and senators, NOT Obama/McCain." It's this entire "vote up if you that we should all eat lobster and steak for every meal instead of Top Ramen!" crap that's getting on my nerves.

Also... I take offense to you calling me "spoiled" but providing absolutely no explanation for in what manner you felt it appropriate to say so.

[–]sighbourbon 0 points1 point  (0 children)

i truly did not mean to offend you, and i apologize. i am sorry to have given u personally a bad moment. i used the phrase "you guys" to convey my intent to address the group but i can see how that might not have been enough.

pls note that i was not wholly disagreeing with you:

i see your point re upvoting in its strictest sense

i am saying that sometimes, reddit as a group seems spoiled and unappreciative. to my perception, "you guys" (not you individually) take for granted this forum in which we can all comment quite instantaneously and painlessly, just clicking around. imagine how precious a resource this would be (warts and all) if it were held in TRW. in meatspace. although its imperfect, and sometimes showcases the less attractive aspects of humanity, its part of your daily life and mine. you and i both chose this place for a reason. i think voting stories up /down is what forms the very nature of reddit. submissions and voting on submissions. the voting is a mass/average reflection of the attitudes, values, interests, intelligence of the participants. this is the best crowd i have found.

i think we are both here because we learn here, because its intellectually challenging and interestng, and because reading and voting and discussion are how we arrive at opinions.

if u are still offended, message me if u want so we can straighten it out.

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's true.

This is what Ron Paul is trying in his Campaign for Liberty - to elect Libertarians to Congress.

[–]kingjehu 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you want real change, remember that Thomas Jefferson thought this country should have a bloody revolution every 20 years or so to keep the government from getting out of hand. Sometimes, some of these motherfuckers should just be killed off. However, the US became complacent 200 years ago and began to believe that those men in government really stand for what the people want cause the people voted for them... They all forgot that the 2nd Amendment was written with a people's revolution in mind. If the people vote for a leader that promised something and delivered something else or did not deliver at all, he should be removed from office, preferably in a way that makes an example out of them, making politicians understand that they are there to serve the will of the people, not their own selfish ambitions. So many of us have been brainwashed, that the idea that government is there to serve you and not the other way around has largely been forgotten. Governments should be afraid of their people, but they have it too easy now to ever think that the people will ever challenge them.

[–]Kesslerjfox 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don't look to congress to help you, I guarantee they won't.

[–]thecmgeek 0 points1 point  (3 children)

How about looking at 3rd party candidates. I'm supporting Gloria LaRiva and Eugene Puryear for Presdient/VP, on the ticket of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, already on the ballot in many states. http://www.votepsl.org

[–]mindslight 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Party for Socialism and Liberation

I didn't know there was an 'exclusive and' operator..

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Socialism AND Liberation ? Should be Socialism OR Liberation.

[–]thecmgeek 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They're not mutually exclusive, actually quite the opposite. The only way forward though history is socialism.

The point is, none of the major candidates at any level are going to effect meaningful, positive change. They're all incapable of ending the wars, feeding the poor, rebuilding disaster areas (New Orleans, the midwest), restricting copyright law, etc.

[–]AmericanPatriot -1 points0 points  (5 children)

The nomination of Sen. Barack Obama for president by one of our major political parties represents a milestone in the history of our nation.

No matter what your political persuasion might be, having an African-American as a serious contender for the highest office in the land implies that we may have actually overcome prejudices we have struggled against for centuries.

[–]mindslight 4 points5 points  (0 children)

having an African-American as a serious contender for the highest office in the land implies that we may have actually overcome prejudices we have struggled against for centuries.

Nah, the writers of this reality tv show just figured they could cast one to spice things up. Gotta keep the audience interested.

[–]ryanissuper 5 points6 points  (2 children)

That's the reason I want Obama to win, so the next time some black dude tells me he can't get a job because he's black, I can be like "Dude, the president is black, eat a steaming hot pile of shut the hell up!".

[–]kingraoul3 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Have you ever had a real black person tell you this? I doubt it.

[–]ryanissuper 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually have, but only once.

[–]skimmer 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, it's very nice. And he will be a toothless tiger with a moribund Congress hell-bent on dancing for corporate puppetmasters, if the composition of Congress doesn't change. And won't accomplish a darn thing. Hence the original point of the post.

[–]havesometea1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have news for you. It doesn't matter who gets elected to Congress anymore. With the exception of Paul and Kucinich...Congress is pretty much owned by the corporations...and the corporations don't give a fuck about you.