This is true. WE DIDN'T COUNT THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT, NON-CITIZEN, NOR CONVICTED FELON VOTE!!!!

Good God. Why is this douchbag still on TV?

It is a fact that every single person who did NOT vote WOULD have voted for McCain/Palin, stupiddumassmitter.

We also don't count the "I would've voted for that guy if I'd voted" votes, or the psychic votes, or the votes cast by pets and houseplants.

That's right! When will the voice of the non-voter be recognized?

And if you have a "Don't blame me, I voted McCain" bumper sticker, your vote actually counts three times.

The majority of the worlds supermodels want to bang me, but I only choose to sleep with my wife.

Yeah...if you're too stupid to cast a vote, you simply don't deserve a voice.

When I'm Queen of Everything, voting will be mandatory. You'll get a choice between however many turd sandwiches are running, and there will also be a "none of these assholes" category. If "none of these assholes wins" (would have been the President from 2004-2008), we start over.

Anyone not voting will be fined a small amount- just enough to make it sting.

what_now: there will also be a "none of these assholes" category. If "none of these assholes wins" (would have been the President from 2004-2008), we start over.

I'm a huge fan of this idea.

I was unaware that the there were extra criteria for winning an election in America. But apparently Lou Dobbs is aware.

See? That's just how much smarter his than the rest of ordinary citizens.

hazeleyedwolff: what_now: there will also be a "none of these assholes" category. If "none of these assholes wins" (would have been the President from 2004-2008), we start over.

I'm a huge fan of this idea.

No: that's what you call a "non-constructive suggestion". People who say "Screw your idea, but I don't have a better one" aren't helping. They're actively lowering the quality of discourse.

If you don't like something about government, you must always have a better suggestion before you start complaining. Otherwise, you're just raising much ado about nothing, since your complaints cannot possibly be acted upon.

Or you could elect presidents the way they elect the mayor of london - where you get to designate your 1st and 2nd and 3rd choice.

If nobody has a clear majority of 1st choice votes, you add in the 2nd . . .

mattharvest: hazeleyedwolff: what_now: there will also be a "none of these assholes" category. If "none of these assholes wins" (would have been the President from 2004-2008), we start over.

I'm a huge fan of this idea.

No: that's what you call a "non-constructive suggestion". People who say "Screw your idea, but I don't have a better one" aren't helping. They're actively lowering the quality of discourse.

If you don't like something about government, you must always have a better suggestion before you start complaining. Otherwise, you're just raising much ado about nothing, since your complaints cannot possibly be acted upon.

The system is such that generally there are only two choices for president that could actually win. In the event that I don't think either are the best person to run the country, it would be nice to voice my opinion that I don't like the person either party nominated and I'd like them to try again.

Obviously, if the majority of the country feels that way, that choice wins the election and we'd start again. It is a constructive suggestion. The problem is that we don't agree with who the parties choose to represent our interests. The proposed solution is that we ask them for new delegates.

Would this be a good time to point out that the republican party typically opposes any effort to make voter registration or voting easier than it already is?

mattharvest: No: that's what you call a "non-constructive suggestion". People who say "Screw your idea, but I don't have a better one" aren't helping. They're actively lowering the quality of discourse.

I *did* suggest an alternative. Just because I did it in a goofy fashion doesn't mean it's not a valid concept.

We've been hearing this line since 2000. Why is it only now the liberals are taking offense to it?

40below: We've been hearing this line since 2000. Why is it only now the liberals are taking offense to it?


Sense. Please make some...

40below: We've been hearing this line since 2000. Why is it only now the liberals are taking offense to it?

Being surpressed from voting and deciding not to cast your vote are two different things.

Diogenes: Being surpressed from voting and deciding not to cast your vote are two different things.

HELP! HELP! I'M BEING SURPRESSED!!!

Well, to be fair, there was hardly any mainstream MSM media coverage of the election -- easy to see how any voter could have spaced on the date. I don't think I saw a single election-related story on the news or in the paper.

what_now: mattharvest: No: that's what you call a "non-constructive suggestion". People who say "Screw your idea, but I don't have a better one" aren't helping. They're actively lowering the quality of discourse.

I *did* suggest an alternative. Just because I did it in a goofy fashion doesn't mean it's not a valid concept.

No, you suggested a system that let's people say "I have no better ideas, but I don't like yours!"

If you don't like the candidates, then you can participate in the same way as the rest of us by supporting those people you do like. Acting like there's some magical barrier preventing you from interacting with the system isn't reasonable.

Asa Phelps: Would this be a good time to point out that the republican party typically opposes any effort to make voter registration or voting easier than it already is?

THIS. Wasn't it Lee Atwater who said that high voter turnouts are bad for the GOP?

40below: We've been hearing this line since 2000. Why is it only now the liberals are taking offense to it?

Complete bullshiat.

What you heard in 2000 was: "I cast my vote for Al Gore, and it didn't count. And if it did count, he lost anyway. That sucks."

What you hear now is: "I don't like Obama. There were lots of people who didn't vote because they were lazy or apathetic. I'm going to assume that they would have voted for McCain. Where are your votes now, Barry?"

See how that's different?

Of course you don't.

netweavr: This is true. WE DIDN'T COUNT THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT, NON-CITIZEN, NOR CONVICTED FELON VOTE!!!!

Ah yes, the core of the GOP.

EZ1923: What you heard in 2000 was: "I cast my vote for Al Gore, and it didn't count. And if it did count, he lost anyway. That sucks."

Really? I recall hearing something along the lines of "Only 23 percent of Americans voted for George Bush, so...."

See the difference? Of course you don't.

Lundah: Asa Phelps: Would this be a good time to point out that the republican party typically opposes any effort to make voter registration or voting easier than it already is?

THIS. Wasn't it Lee Atwater who said that high voter turnouts are bad for the GOP?

why do you think the GOP opposes making national elections either federal holidays or moving them to weekends? that would mean more poor and middle-class people voting. not everyone can take time off on a tuesday to go vote - especially if it means standing in line for four hours in cleveland.

40below: EZ1923: What you heard in 2000 was: "I cast my vote for Al Gore, and it didn't count. And if it did count, he lost anyway. That sucks."

Really? I recall hearing something along the lines of "Only 23 percent of Americans voted for George Bush, so...."

See the difference? Of course you don't.

The difference is, Liberals have a good grasp on the difference between being an eligible voter and an actual voter. Take ACORN, for example.

Lundah: Take ACORN, for example.

I wish someone would/

Lundah: 40below: EZ1923: What you heard in 2000 was: "I cast my vote for Al Gore, and it didn't count. And if it did count, he lost anyway. That sucks."

Really? I recall hearing something along the lines of "Only 23 percent of Americans voted for George Bush, so...."

See the difference? Of course you don't.

The difference is, Liberals have a good grasp on the difference between being an eligible voter and an actual voter. Take ACORN, for example.

ACORN? again? seriously? registration fraud does not equal voter fraud. there is NO evidence any actual voter fraud occurred because of ACORN. but go ahead - cling to that. it worked so well for you in '08!

Dobbs: ... Arizona's Sheriff Joe Arpaio, a champion in the fight against illegal aliens, ...

And with that, I see no reason to pay further attention to anything this idiot says.

FlashHarry: ACORN? again? seriously? registration fraud does not equal voter fraud. there is NO evidence any actual voter fraud occurred because of ACORN. but go ahead - cling to that. it worked so well for you in '08!

Well, you completely took that the wrong way. The point you missed was, that if Liberals didn't understand the power of eligible voters actually getting out and voting, groups like ACORN wouldn't exist.

Lundah: FlashHarry: ACORN? again? seriously? registration fraud does not equal voter fraud. there is NO evidence any actual voter fraud occurred because of ACORN. but go ahead - cling to that. it worked so well for you in '08!

Well, you completely took that the wrong way. The point you missed was, that if Liberals didn't understand the power of eligible voters actually getting out and voting, groups like ACORN wouldn't exist.

whoops. my bad.

I feel like it's pretty safe to say that the majority of those who didn't vote would have gone Dem since you have to be lazy not to vote so bums and hippies are liberals.

I'm confused. I just can't connect this statement to blaming the illegal aliens for the problem? I was under the impression that Dobbs blames EVERYTHING on illegals.

My world is shattered!

BKITU: I'm confused. I just can't connect this statement to blaming the illegal aliens for the problem? I was under the impression that Dobbs blames EVERYTHING on illegals.

Yeah... I was a little confused by that as well. I kept wondering how he was going to work in a little hate for immigrants, but then it hit me... He probably thinks Obama is an immigrant. So... there you have it. Because it wouldn't be Lou Dobbs without a little hate for immigrants.

FlashHarry: why do you think the GOP opposes making national elections either federal holidays or moving them to weekends?

Do they oppose that? I have never seen or heard that position stated.

It should definitely be a national holiday.

40below: EZ1923: What you heard in 2000 was: "I cast my vote for Al Gore, and it didn't count. And if it did count, he lost anyway. That sucks."

Really? I recall hearing something along the lines of "Only 23 percent of Americans voted for George Bush, so...."

See the difference? Of course you don't.

Find me someone who said that with the audience of Lou Dobbs, and not some Kos diarist.

what_now: Yeah...if you're too stupid to cast a vote, you simply don't deserve a voice.

one way to fix this "problem" is for people who dont vote to have to pay, say, 50% more in income taxes

they didnt vote, so CLEARLY they are OK with whatever laws are passed by the people who won

just I understand the "I hate both candidates argument", but they could have voted for the LEAST terrible of the two or voted for one of them many othe parties

/we need a way to know who didnt vote, so we can ignore everything they say
/voted for obama - YAY
/voted for kerry - held nose and closed eyes
/voted for gore - why did bush have to steal the primary from mccain??

Dear Lou,

He did receive a majority of the votes. If someone didn't vote, then it's not a vote now, is it? A vote is a vote that has been cast. This is a rather basic concept of democracy, you putz. Are you saying that those who cast votes is less than actual votes...you putz.

Signed,

Reality

I like this "we're still the majority" nonsense. It makes them easier to laugh at.

Lou Dobbs makes the love child of Sean Hannity and Mike Savage look enlightened. Really? Angry nativist populism? It works in Russia for sure (ya rly, there is a good Economist piece on it) but it makes you sound pathetic. Go cry about the North American Union some more.

Frankly, I'm pissed that those stinkin' Zonies keep emigrating to California and ruining my quality of life. I hate free trade agreements!

what_now: there will also be a "none of these assholes" category. If "none of these assholes wins" (would have been the President from 2004-2008), we start over.

That's two party thinking right there. People are just too afraid to vote third party because they don't want the other two party candidate to win. I heard this all election, "Yea, McCain sucks, but he'll be better than Obama."

As long as people keep doing that, the two big parties will be able to get away with their crap. Like a battered woman goes back to her boyfriend, "because he loves me", the voters will keep voting for candidates they don't really like because they like the "other" guy even less. They need to wise up and vote for a candidate they do like. Sure that will result in a few election where the really crappy candidate wins, but long term it will be an improvement.

40below: Diogenes: Being surpressed from voting and deciding not to cast your vote are two different things.

HELP! HELP! I'M BEING SURPRESSED!!!

BLOODY PEASANT!!1!

40below: We've been hearing this line since 2000. Why is it only now the liberals are taking offense to it?

Here's an idea: Stick to submitting Fark links.

If you count the people over 18 who DIDN'T vote as a vote against Obama ... he lost to "none of the above" by a landslide.

/yeah
//that's the ticket

Good job, Lou.

Context, people.

RTFA (I know it's long, but suck it up) and you'll see that he was simply trying to give the guest any semblance of hope upon which to build an argument for why the Republicans have any chance of rebounding in the 2010 elections and beyond.

Suggesting that he didn't receive a majority of the votes that are possible is indeed true, when speaking of how that could possibly affect future election models.

Granted, it'd be hard to get a larger turnout than this most recent election, but you guys are making this appear as a statement for something sinister like Obama's not really the president, and it most definitely wasn't.

So, in summary, lighten up Francis.

When discussing Obama last night, Lou Dobbs goes full retard: "He still didn't receive a majority of the votes in this country, just those cast"

LOL