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(Newsweek) Obvious Voters vote with their brains as often as Britney Spears wears underwear. Here comes the science   (newsweek.com) divider line 50
More: Obvious  
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1527 clicks; posted to Politics » on 03 Feb 2008 at 9:55 PM   |  Make this a Fark FavoriteFavorite    |   share: Share on OMGTWITTER WEB2.0share on StumbleUponshare on Facebook  more»   |    Get this fabulous T-Shirt and impress the methane out of your friends! shirt it!

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Fark.com's  Political Inclination Thermometric Analyzer:
Neutral 3.03% Fascist
Archived thread
 
Hal B. Sure 2008-02-03 07:19:53 PM  
Using your brain is for fags.

 
ScubaDude1960 [TotalFark] 2008-02-03 07:29:30 PM  
Knowing that both major candidates will screw them, people vote for the Dem/Repub candidate who they figure will screw them the least. Then they spend four years biatching about getting screwed, and telling those who vote third-party that they're "wasting their vote."

/libertarian

 
Bill Frist 2008-02-03 08:11:58 PM  
Silly sheep voters

 
2wolves 2008-02-03 08:28:07 PM  
Knowing that both major candidates will screw them, people vote for the Dem/Repub candidate who they figure will screw them the least. Then they spend four years biatching about getting screwed, and telling those who vote third-party that they're "wasting their vote."

/Liberal

 
King Something [TotalFark] 2008-02-03 08:32:13 PM  
Knowing that both major candidates will screw them, people vote for the Dem/Repub candidate who they figure will screw them the least. Then they spend four years biatching about getting screwed, and telling those who vote third-party that they're "wasting their vote."

/Writer for Mind of Mencia

 
Lionel Mandrake [TotalFark] 2008-02-03 08:59:32 PM  
Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.

~Churchill

 
abb3w [TotalFark] 2008-02-03 09:12:01 PM  
There are some days when I begin to wonder if the ancient Greeks and Egyptians who believed the brain was simply an organ for cooling the blood weren't onto something.

/braiiiinnzz....

 
Churchill2004 [TotalFark] 2008-02-03 09:46:33 PM  
Lionel Mandrake: Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.

~Churchill


Which is why I wholeheartedly endorse no government.

/not exactly
//but close
///"majority rule" is not a good thing

 
Monoxide 2008-02-03 10:07:07 PM  
Come on, be honest farkers, you would would insert your shank of sin into her slit of sadness as readily as you would down a redbull whilst abusing yourself scoping TNG and scoping the sexies in spandex.

 
quatchi 2008-02-03 10:13:21 PM  
Most Americans aren't policy wonks?

And? That's it? Wow, that really IS newsWEAK.

 
johnnyrocket 2008-02-03 10:15:19 PM  
media.canada.com

Gut check time, folks!

 
abb3w [TotalFark] 2008-02-03 10:16:13 PM  
Monoxide: Come on, be honest farkers, you would would insert your shank of sin into her slit of sadness as readily as you would down a redbull whilst abusing yourself scoping TNG and scoping the sexies in spandex.

No; the latter is less likely to give me an STD.

/I canz avoid celebrity memorabilia plz?

 
Falcc 2008-02-03 10:17:00 PM  
ScubaDude1960: Knowing that both major candidates will screw them, people vote for the Dem/Repub candidate who they figure will screw them the least. Then they spend four years biatching about getting screwed, and telling those who vote third-party that they're "wasting their vote."

/libertarian


Speaking of wasting your vote, when's the last time we had a third party president? Don't be shy I'm just curious. Been a while hasn't it? Yeah.

I think third parties are great and all but Americans are sloooooow farkers. We're not going to get anybody outside the two parties for a while yet. If the republican party fractures and Hillary brings down the democratic party, then yes. A lot of people will start filling in the ranks of third parties and everything's set. Not yet though. Don't be naive.

 
judan 2008-02-03 10:21:55 PM  
King Something: Knowing that both major candidates will screw them, people vote for the Dem/Repub candidate who they figure will screw them the least. Then they spend four years biatching about getting screwed, and telling those who vote third-party that they're "wasting their vote."

/Writer for Mind of Mencia


I lol'd!

 
mikeandeichmann 2008-02-03 10:25:42 PM  
ScubaDude1960: Knowing that both major candidates will screw them, people vote for the Dem/Repub candidate who they figure will screw them the least. Then they spend four years biatching about getting screwed, and telling those who vote third-party that they're "wasting their vote."

/libertarian


I really don't want to call you out, but why is it that every single libertarian is compelled to mention the fact that they are a libertarian in their post?

 
Churchill2004 [TotalFark] 2008-02-03 10:33:28 PM  
lolmao666: That's why you're were a republic. The US isn't a democracy, it's was a republic.

Past tense.

The only popularly elected body under the original Constitution was the House of Representatives. The Senate and President were elected by the state governments. A lot of things have been improved since then, but the institution of national mob rule is not one of those improvements.


lolmao666: STATES HAD rights. Now the executive branch is much more powerful and the federal government took over many powers of the states government

The Feds have usurped massive amounts of power from both the states and the people. It's not as though the states are really much better- they don't follow their own constitutions any more than the Feds do. Though that doesn't excuse the brutal murder of the 10th Amendment and the concept of "enumerated powers".

 
moriarty23 2008-02-03 10:37:28 PM  
mikeandeichmann: ScubaDude1960: Knowing that both major candidates will screw them, people vote for the Dem/Repub candidate who they figure will screw them the least. Then they spend four years biatching about getting screwed, and telling those who vote third-party that they're "wasting their vote."

/libertarian

I really don't want to call you out, but why is it that every single libertarian is compelled to mention the fact that they are a libertarian in their post?


Gotta represent, yo!

/independent

 
Smellvin 2008-02-03 10:37:59 PM  
Even more proof that: "The greatest argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter."

-Winston Churchill

 
moriarty23 2008-02-03 10:40:47 PM  
moriarty23: mikeandeichmann: ScubaDude1960: Knowing that both major candidates will screw them, people vote for the Dem/Repub candidate who they figure will screw them the least. Then they spend four years biatching about getting screwed, and telling those who vote third-party that they're "wasting their vote."

/libertarian

I really don't want to call you out, but why is it that every single libertarian is compelled to mention the fact that they are a libertarian in their post?

Gotta represent, yo!

/independent


Sorry, that was my wife (she forgot to log out of my login, shes hard core)
/you can take the independent outta the median..



//east side!

 
moriarty23 2008-02-03 10:42:01 PM  
Smellvin: Even more proof that: "The greatest argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter."

-Winston Churchill


I said; "EAST SIDE!"

 
Smellvin 2008-02-03 10:43:31 PM  
moriarty23: Sorry, that was my wife (she forgot to log out of my login, shes hard core)

Wife-like typing detected?

 
mikeandeichmann 2008-02-03 10:44:32 PM  
Smellvin: moriarty23: Sorry, that was my wife (she forgot to log out of my login, shes hard core)

Wife-like typing detected?


Blast! Beat me to it.

 
Aeonic_Blue 2008-02-03 10:45:31 PM  
mikeandeichmann: ScubaDude1960: Knowing that both major candidates will screw them, people vote for the Dem/Repub candidate who they figure will screw them the least. Then they spend four years biatching about getting screwed, and telling those who vote third-party that they're "wasting their vote."

/libertarian

I really don't want to call you out, but why is it that every single libertarian is compelled to mention the fact that they are a libertarian in their post?


Oh, see, that's simple. They think that by claiming to be libertarian, they are divesting themselves from the two-party system in this country, and thus are not a part of the problem. This provides them with a feeling of immunity.

 
One F Jef 2008-02-03 10:50:57 PM  
Penisgargle '08!

 
Monoxide 2008-02-03 11:07:31 PM  
Dumbledore/Elton John 08!!!

 
Number41 2008-02-03 11:12:12 PM  
mikeandeichmann: I really don't want to call you out, but why is it that every single libertarian is compelled to mention the fact that they are a libertarian in their post?

How would you know it was a libertarian posting if they didn't mention it?

 
Steaming Cup of SARS 2008-02-03 11:37:45 PM  
I have an idea:

i31.tinypic.com

 
EwoksSuck 2008-02-03 11:39:25 PM  
The voters are shallow and dumb the media says but yet they never get the polls right. Nobody ever keeps a score on the media pundits and how often they get things wrong. Maybe the voters are fine and the media is dumb. Nah we elected Bush twice. Okay the voters are dumb and the media is dumber.

 
Carth 2008-02-03 11:41:27 PM  
Number41: mikeandeichmann: I really don't want to call you out, but why is it that every single libertarian is compelled to mention the fact that they are a libertarian in their post?

How would you know it was a libertarian posting if they didn't mention it?


Number41 has a good point.

 
Atillathepun [TotalFark] 2008-02-03 11:44:25 PM  
Churchill2004: Which is why I wholeheartedly endorse no government.

Because anarchy has SUCH a proven track record.

 
soy_bomb 2008-02-03 11:50:44 PM  
img153.imageshack.us
Don't vote for that drug using, Rezko loving, Hussein Obama!

 
Digeratus 2008-02-04 12:20:04 AM  
ScubaDude1960: Then they spend four years biatching about getting screwed, and telling those who vote third-party that they're "wasting their vote."

I take it you know nothing about voting theory. Most people don't.

Without getting into mundane details, yes, you are indeed wasting your vote. The mathematics of the model we have implemented tend toward two major parties. Arguing otherwise is like arguing that the prisoner's dilemma isn't actually a dilemma. Game theory is game theory because it's human nature. Nobody said it was perfectly rational. That's the way it is.

What you should do is advocate for a change in voting method. Then we can implement a system that allows and encourages more than two parties. Until then, strictly voting your conscience is ironically a disservice to those whose views are closest to yours.

 
mistahtom 2008-02-04 12:39:37 AM  
Hrmmm a strong economy, prosperity for everyone, college for those who can't afford it, a clean environment, wait, what is this? AHHHHHH Gays trying to get married! Every body PANIC and vote for the conservatives.


Listen sheeple, a social conservative is completely NOT the same thing as an economic conservative.

 
Dear Jerk 2008-02-04 12:47:44 AM  
People take positions on gut feelings and then try to justify. Nobody thinks rationally. Not you, either.
And here's what he had to say about Britney's underwear:
Insanity is often the logic of an accurate mind overtaxed.
Oliver Wendell Holmes

 
ScubaDude1960 [TotalFark] 2008-02-04 12:52:22 AM  
Falcc: ScubaDude1960: Knowing that both major candidates will screw them, people vote for the Dem/Repub candidate who they figure will screw them the least. Then they spend four years biatching about getting screwed, and telling those who vote third-party that they're "wasting their vote."

/libertarian

Speaking of wasting your vote, when's the last time we had a third party president? Don't be shy I'm just curious. Been a while hasn't it? Yeah.

I think third parties are great and all but Americans are sloooooow farkers. We're not going to get anybody outside the two parties for a while yet. If the republican party fractures and Hillary brings down the democratic party, then yes. A lot of people will start filling in the ranks of third parties and everything's set. Not yet though. Don't be naive.


I wasn't being naive. I was pointing out that we vote for people we don't agree with, and then biatch because we get government policies we don't agree with.

 
moothemagiccow 2008-02-04 01:11:53 AM  
EwoksSuck: Okay the voters are dumb and the media is dumber.

This is probably a better read than the article.

 
Dear Jerk 2008-02-04 01:12:20 AM  
If you want a viable third party, instead of just taking some bs libertarian pose, come up with an immigration solution. Dems can't do it because it pits union v bleeding hearts. The GOP can't do it because it pits business v bigots.

We used to have a multi-party system. The Dems were pro-slavery. Every other party waffled. The GOP came up as an anti-slavery party, put Lincoln in, and killed off all the waffle parties.

Big business took over the GOP within ten years, but that's another story.

 
Falcc 2008-02-04 01:20:04 AM  
ScubaDude1960: Falcc: ScubaDude1960: Knowing that both major candidates will screw them, people vote for the Dem/Repub candidate who they figure will screw them the least. Then they spend four years biatching about getting screwed, and telling those who vote third-party that they're "wasting their vote."

/libertarian

Speaking of wasting your vote, when's the last time we had a third party president? Don't be shy I'm just curious. Been a while hasn't it? Yeah.

I think third parties are great and all but Americans are sloooooow farkers. We're not going to get anybody outside the two parties for a while yet. If the republican party fractures and Hillary brings down the democratic party, then yes. A lot of people will start filling in the ranks of third parties and everything's set. Not yet though. Don't be naive.

I wasn't being naive. I was pointing out that we vote for people we don't agree with, and then biatch because we get government policies we don't agree with.


Yeah I have noticed that's a patteren with libertarians. What are you guys, stupid?

/I keed

 
Gyrfalcon [TotalFark] 2008-02-04 01:27:56 AM  
In a democracy, the people generally get the government they deserve.

Either Thomas Jefferson or Hunter S. Thompson, but I've been unable to source it. Either way, it's true.

 
Korovyov [TotalFark] 2008-02-04 01:28:26 AM  
Dear Jerk: If you want a viable third party, instead of just taking some bs libertarian pose, come up with an immigration solution. Dems can't do it because it pits union v bleeding hearts. The GOP can't do it because it pits business v bigots.


I don't see a third party becoming a competitive player on the national scene, no matter its platform, unless it first establishes a record of getting elected officials at lower levels, who manage to do their jobs without utterly screwing up. Ain't easy, but that's probably the one workable path -- aside from a 'new' party that results from a serious schism in a major party.

 
Aeonic_Blue 2008-02-04 01:34:43 AM  
Korovyov: I don't see a third party becoming a competitive player on the national scene, no matter its platform, unless it first establishes a record of getting elected officials at lower levels, who manage to do their jobs without utterly screwing up. Ain't easy, but that's probably the one workable path -- aside from a 'new' party that results from a serious schism in a major party.

This. And sorry to tell you, it's unlikely we'll see a third party of any power until the baby boomers are gone. Those old farkers are stubborn.

 
Churchill2004 [TotalFark] 2008-02-04 02:02:01 AM  
Atillathepun: Churchill2004: Which is why I wholeheartedly endorse no government.

Because anarchy has SUCH a proven track record.



Government is a crutch for society- the fact that its rapid and immediate withdrawal has been shown to cause problems is not an argument against physical therapy.

 
Aeonic_Blue 2008-02-04 02:08:38 AM  
Churchill2004: Atillathepun: Churchill2004: Which is why I wholeheartedly endorse no government.

Because anarchy has SUCH a proven track record.


Government is a crutch for society- the fact that its rapid and immediate withdrawal has been shown to cause problems is not an argument against physical therapy.


You've got my interest. I'm assuming by 'no government' you mean the dismantling of the framework of mass society?

Would you advocate a return to our natural tribal social structure?

 
E. D. Montechizuma 2008-02-04 02:33:34 AM  
All I know is I find it sad that people still think that Obama is still a muslim. And these people are Proud of there ignorance.

This gives you the true scale of voter ignorance.

 
Churchill2004 [TotalFark] 2008-02-04 02:59:35 AM  
Aeonic_Blue: I'm assuming by 'no government' you mean the dismantling of the framework of mass society?

Of course not. Government is not society. Government is the agent of coercion, produced to punish our vices. Society is that which is constantly reshaping itself to fulfill our needs and provide our desires. Government is a strictly defined entity, with its leaders, which is at best made partially subordinate to the electorate once every few years. Society is the sum total of all human interaction. And so every time you engage in any interaction with any other person- from loving your wife to going to work to buying a cup of coffee- you change society. The question is whether or not the decision as to how you change society is freely made, or if your interactions are forced on you by others. That is what government does- rather than leaving your choices, the way you daily alter and direct the course our civilization, to be made as you see fit as a free man- it steals that choice from you. You become, insofar as the interaction in question is relevant, a pawn of the state, to be crushed if you step out of line. In theory, then, the purpose of government was to not direct your choices but to simply protect your freedom to choose from others. In theory. Yet the centralization of even that just power under a single authority, made that authority the refuge for the authoritarians who want to make your choices for you.

Extra-governmental coercion, crime, as it is commonly called, is no doubt a problem which must be confronted. Yet who is it who acts to forcibly limit your choices more- the criminal or the government? The mugger will steal what's in your pocket. The government will steal a third of your paycheck, and everything else if you don't pay that. The scam artist will trick you into giving him your money. The government will spend the comparatively infinite stolen resources at its disposal to constantly justify it existence to every citizen- from cradle to grave, the justifications become so ingrained in our collective psyche that they become self-perpetuating. Makes Nigerian e-mail scams pale in comparison. The murderer will take your life. The government will take your freedom and make you a murderer.

 
Anagrammer 2008-02-04 03:25:44 AM  
Voters vote with their brains as often as Britney Spears wears underwear. Here comes the science

I guess this sounds like a more intriguing headline than, "People make important decisions based largely on emotions."

Wait until Subby finds out that most money systems are based on little more than trust in a government. We'll get an even more urgent sounding headline!

 
Nastyboy 2008-02-04 03:36:12 AM  
i11.photobucket.com

Campain slogan: "Drive the Faithful Mad and Devour Them Last"

 
Smellvin 2008-02-04 07:55:18 AM  
Churchill2004: Looks like someone started finally reading his Rothbard. Also, you're now probably on at least three government watch lists. :)

 
SomeCapn 2008-02-04 08:36:54 AM  
Anything about your "Pocketbook" in that stupid article?

My all-time greatest History prof. said that people always vote with their pocketbook.

 
Dubya's_Coke_Dealer 2008-02-04 08:45:39 AM  
SomeCapn: Anything about your "Pocketbook" in that stupid article?

My all-time greatest History prof. said that people always vote with their pocketbook.


He's dead wrong. If he were correct, all those Southern "Republicans" (who used to be Democrats) would have stayed Democratic. But they've voted Republican, AT THE EXPENSE of their wallets, because Jesus is a Republican.

 
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