Is it really less than 9 months before voting starts in the primaries/caucuses? Wow! We have a lot to learn in such a small amount of time. Below is a list of those who have officially announced their desire to become the candidates for the 2012 presidential election. Who knew someone would run against Obama for the Democratic nomination? In the coming weeks we will research and discuss each candidate.
Democrats:
Barack Obama
Randall Terry
Republicans:
Ron Paul
Newt Gingrich
Herman Cain
Fred Karger
Gary Johnson
A couple big names have announced they are out of the GOP (aka Republican) race: Mike Huckabee and Donald Trump.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Introduction
In High School, politics was something I detested. Ironic given that I, also, couldn’t wait to vote. What I did love was history and computers. Another thing I detested? Grammar! So, please forgive the many mistakes I’m sure to make in the coming posts. I may have turned into a Grammar Nazi over the past few years, but I’m far from flawless.
When I stepped into the polling booth for the 1st time, it was the last time Americans got to use the punch card voting system. I essentially saw the end of an era. The drama that followed in Florida made sure of that. The last few times I’ve voted were all by computer - something I’m comfortable around.
Punch card voting is not what I remember most about my first voting experience. Less than 24 hours after voting, I realized I’d made a huge mistake and voted for a presidential candidate whose ideals, values, and platform did not align with my own. Sure the regret did set in a bit, but luckily, the person I voted for did not win.
I walked away from that voting experience promising myself that I would research each candidate, becoming an informed voter, and hopefully never regret my voting decision quite so severely the next time. I’d like to say that I jumped head first into it all and became very knowledgeable in it all. I’d be lying. Let me remind you of the first sentence of this blog. I believe the word detested was used.
Back then, I thought the only thing worth voting for was the president and only showed up once every four years. By the next time I’d voted, I’d aligned myself with a party that I only knew high-level bullet points about. I voted straight ticket. If you feel that strongly about the party you associate with, there is nothing wrong with straight-ticket voting. If you don’t have a full understanding of all the issues, it’s not the best decision you can make.
I still associate myself with the same party, but each year, I’m learning more and more. About five years ago, I discovered cable news and eventually started to learn about things I was sure I’d never heard before – primaries, etc. I voted in the very next primary and was saddened by the party “winner” and stuck my head in the sand. Sure I voted when November came around, but it wasn’t as exciting.
For the first several years of the latest presidency, I completely stopped watching the news. Then some friends went to the Middle East, and I started watching again, making sure they stayed safe. Surprisinly, the news peaked my interest again.
It’s getting close to another primary season, and currently the Government is only budgeted for a week or two at a time, while Washington argues our country’s budget. But, what does all this mean? This year, I want to dig deeper and learn more than I ever have before. Not only about the election year issues, but what’s going on right now. What *is* our President and the mixed-party Congress doing? I’m determined to find out. Best of all? I’m bringing y’all along for the ride.
My goal:
Find the facts of the issues, remove all the fat – unnecessary information, and post what I’ve learned here.
Opinions will be left to the comments. I’ll strive to provide the details without opinion. Many people say that isn’t possible. I guess we will find out through this exploration. If I do have an opinion on whatever subject I’m researching that day/week/month, I’ll post those as a comment to the post and keep it as short and sweet as possible.
Guess this means I should start following the White House’s twitter and blog, huh? Got to go to the source. I will also post my references in case anyone wants to read more information on the subject.
And, so the journey begins. First topic – Budget crisis, oil prices, Middle East uprising, straight-ticket voting, or rumored presidential candidates? Stay tuned to find out...
When I stepped into the polling booth for the 1st time, it was the last time Americans got to use the punch card voting system. I essentially saw the end of an era. The drama that followed in Florida made sure of that. The last few times I’ve voted were all by computer - something I’m comfortable around.
Punch card voting is not what I remember most about my first voting experience. Less than 24 hours after voting, I realized I’d made a huge mistake and voted for a presidential candidate whose ideals, values, and platform did not align with my own. Sure the regret did set in a bit, but luckily, the person I voted for did not win.
I walked away from that voting experience promising myself that I would research each candidate, becoming an informed voter, and hopefully never regret my voting decision quite so severely the next time. I’d like to say that I jumped head first into it all and became very knowledgeable in it all. I’d be lying. Let me remind you of the first sentence of this blog. I believe the word detested was used.
Back then, I thought the only thing worth voting for was the president and only showed up once every four years. By the next time I’d voted, I’d aligned myself with a party that I only knew high-level bullet points about. I voted straight ticket. If you feel that strongly about the party you associate with, there is nothing wrong with straight-ticket voting. If you don’t have a full understanding of all the issues, it’s not the best decision you can make.
I still associate myself with the same party, but each year, I’m learning more and more. About five years ago, I discovered cable news and eventually started to learn about things I was sure I’d never heard before – primaries, etc. I voted in the very next primary and was saddened by the party “winner” and stuck my head in the sand. Sure I voted when November came around, but it wasn’t as exciting.
For the first several years of the latest presidency, I completely stopped watching the news. Then some friends went to the Middle East, and I started watching again, making sure they stayed safe. Surprisinly, the news peaked my interest again.
It’s getting close to another primary season, and currently the Government is only budgeted for a week or two at a time, while Washington argues our country’s budget. But, what does all this mean? This year, I want to dig deeper and learn more than I ever have before. Not only about the election year issues, but what’s going on right now. What *is* our President and the mixed-party Congress doing? I’m determined to find out. Best of all? I’m bringing y’all along for the ride.
My goal:
Find the facts of the issues, remove all the fat – unnecessary information, and post what I’ve learned here.
Opinions will be left to the comments. I’ll strive to provide the details without opinion. Many people say that isn’t possible. I guess we will find out through this exploration. If I do have an opinion on whatever subject I’m researching that day/week/month, I’ll post those as a comment to the post and keep it as short and sweet as possible.
Guess this means I should start following the White House’s twitter and blog, huh? Got to go to the source. I will also post my references in case anyone wants to read more information on the subject.
And, so the journey begins. First topic – Budget crisis, oil prices, Middle East uprising, straight-ticket voting, or rumored presidential candidates? Stay tuned to find out...
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