did the last two presidential elections destroy anyone elses belief in the present election system?
542801
I would agree that the last two elections have cast a bit of a shadow over the US electoral system, yes, but as it's the only system you have you have to grin and bear it.
806621
Agreed. To elect him once was foolhardy - to elect him twice defies logic. The world and thousands of innocents are reaping the fruits of the American publics stupidity.
725537
Oh, I'm disappointed, but not shocked. We know that the tides of power shift in this country, for better or worse, but at no time should anyone give up hope that we can as a whole be better. I don't agree with Dem policies and initiatives 95% of the time, but the American people who voted have asked that these people be given a chance again. I think domestically this will mean... a new social program here, gridlock over it there, etc, etc. But all things to debate in the near future (at least we are not shooting each other over the results!)\n\nRegardless of the situation, all should remember, we are a country about peaceful exchanges of power. And as I mentioned in other posts, we needn't forget that is a blessing in itself.\n\nOf course, it's time to start working on that next election....! ;-)
748630
I agree!  My bachelors degree is in American Government, and I love campaigns and elections, polls and advertising, everything that comes with an election cycle.  \n\nIt will be a let down when it is over and everything settles down.  ;-)  Just my opinion.
894030
Actually, Bush called the second election a 'clear mandate'.  So, no, I don't see it changing with HIM.  Hoewever, the GOP will hopefully be smarter in 08 when they realize that we still live in a democracy, and you better give us someone we want, or face another humiliating loss.  Just think, the GOP could have nominated Elizabeth Dole in 2000 instead of Bush...imagine how different things would be...
795067
Yes. It definitely bothers me. That administration will do whatever it takes to try to retain control. They're so hopeless now that I fear there will be some serious tampering with electronic voting machines so that Rove et al can get their way. I bet the founding fathers are rolling over in their graves. Despicable......
394698
The 2 party system was not the idea of our founding fathers. George Washington was actually VERY opposed to it. There have been some contenders recently who has challenged it, Ross Perot and Ralph Nader most recently. I, for one, am sick of being forced to vote for either idiot #1 or idiot #2 when there is not really all that much difference between them. I don't think we need to strengthen the 2-party system. I think we need to abolish it and start over.
1110473
I think it's time to abolish the electoral college.  Right now everything breaks down into "red states" and "blue states."  If you live in a 90% red state, you can forget about any presidential candidates taking an interest--you're already in the bank for the Republicans.  And if you're a blue voter living in that red state, you're effectively disenfranchised... so why bother getting involved at all? \nI think a direct election would get a lot more people involved and interested.  I'd have a reason to come out to the polls, and if I managed to influence just one of my neighbors, I know that would make a difference in the outcome of the election.  \nI still vote, by the way, even if it doesn't count in the end.  But I'd rather that it did!
108874
I think it is completely outdated for an era in which information spreads so quickly and easily. THe Electoral College was envisioned for an agrarian society in which the masses were not "trustworthy" enough to select a president. The electors were supposed to actually select the president. Nowadays, the electoral college is a rubberstamp that could go awry. See also: Bush/Gore 2000 election
844787
Actually, there have been cases in which people have been threatened for voting a certain way. It wasn't at an exit poll, but the FBI's currently investigating cases in Virginia in which people got phone calls threatening them if they voted a certain way. Many people feel that who they voted for is a personal matter. Perhaps they feel this way out of a fear for being judged by other people who do not agree with their beliefs. I also personally know some people who don't take exit polls because they are not all that accurate anyway. Like in 2004, when they were predicting that John Kerry would win the Presidential election.
1154550
As much as I dislike politics, I do remember my political science classes in school. It seems we must be missing those classes these days as people seem to think the president makes every single decision about every issue in this country and doesn't have to answer to anyone.
759195
No. \n\nAnd just a comment...I can't wait until these elections are over. I'm tired of the meaningless political questions where people think that their opinion is the only correct one.
1151509
It is  a shame.  There have been plenty of times I would have loved to support a 3rd party candidate, but was afraid to throw away my vote.  For that's what it would be.  The 3rd party candidate couldn't win, and by giving them my vote, I'm allowing the least acceptable candidate to win.\n\nRight now the parties are hardly any different.  For a candidate to win, they tend to move to the center to try and please everyone. In the end they please no one.  We end up voting for the least of all evils!
1107549
The last two elections were rigged why do you think the repukes will do any different this time. We need to go back in time to paper ballots and a equal election board in every precinct to ensure free, open and honest elections. If it takes dipping my finger in ink to ensure that I do not vote twice and the dead people do not vote repuglican then that is what needs to be done.  Something is wrong with the repuke's if they do not want this type of an election. When it becomes more important that a candidate is elected then to have an election that everyone can look to as fair we have lost the American revolution and might as well give ourselves up to a dictatorship.
624745
You know, I'm not a republican by nature, but during the 2000 elections I thought that Bush would be the lesser of the two evils. How wrong. I did not vote for him in 2004, but in 2000 I liked him better than Kerry, and now I'm ashamed for even considering the thought. I believe in gay marriage, stem cell research. And he has completely ignored any environmental concerns, not to mention that whole Iraq War thing (written with as much contempt as all the other examples of Bush's negligence and narrow mindedness).
508528
I voted Kerry-Edwards last time, and no, my prior agnosticism did not play a large or main role in my choosing Kerry-Edwards.  I CAN sleep at night knowing I didn't choose this Path for America to be on, currently. \n\nI feel I have to continue my voting Democrat, Independent or Libertarian next time---whatever Prezzie choices there are that I feel comfortable voting for.
135913
Depends on who is counting the last couple of presidentual elections have not been very honest.