[quirky3]

Originally Posted by ilovetv

It's not a shift. It's the little-publicized fact that most people here choose to think on their own, about individual issues and candidates, and do not vote blindfolded and straight down the party line.

"Little publicized"....exactly. We are agreeing that perception is very different than reality.

[gomoho]

Should I worry that some individuals may be voting more than once?

And I agree with the thinking that fewer people are straight party line supporters. Most of us are smart enough to make choices on our own after gathering information.

I didn't vote on this pole, but did vote in support of medical marijuana. Two completely different principles.

[graciegirl]

[QUOTE=quirky3;842340]"Little publicized"....exactly. We are agreeing that perception is very different than reality.[/QUOTE


Here is up to date information on voter registration.


Sumter County Supervisor of Elections > Voter Info > Voter Lookup


Look at the header bar on the right.


I think we have a lot of individuals who think for themselves here.

[rubicon]

Often you see a guy standing in the middle of a street/ mall, etc pooling people with political questions. One question asked was would they sign a petition in favor of Carl Marx running for president and many people signed the petition and the other nature of the polling question were as ridiculous.

I am afraid that the so called 47% are too busy tending to their free stuff to follow the political issues of our time.

I am of the opinion if you do not pay taxes you should not get to vote and if that law applied I'll bet silly issues like I want my recreational marijuana would disappear quicker than a New York second

By the way does marijuana go better with red meat or white meat? And should one chose an ale or lager with a German menu? Just asking for those folks that seem to think that alcohol and marijuana are the same argument

[DougB]

Originally Posted by rubicon

Often you see a guy standing in the middle of a street/ mall, etc pooling people with political questions. One question asked was would they sign a petition in favor of Carl Marx running for president and many people signed the petition and the other nature of the polling question were as ridiculous.

I am afraid that the so called 47% are too busy tending to their free stuff to follow the political issues of our time.

I am of the opinion if you do not pay taxes you should not get to vote and if that law applied I'll bet silly issues like I want my recreational marijuana would disappear quicker than a New York second

By the way does marijuana go better with red meat or white meat? And should one chose an ale or lager with a German menu? Just asking for those folks that seem to think that alcohol and marijuana are the same
argument

The poll is more than two to one in favor and I believe probably all that voted in this poll pay taxes. But, you may be correct about the alcohol comparison. Those that indulge in smoking pot would probably say it goes well with both red and white meat as well as any German food when the munchies set in.

[JB in TV]

Originally Posted by gomoho

Should I worry that some individuals may be voting more than once?
....

don't think that is possible....and what would be the benefit of doing so on a purely small scale, unoffical poll?

If you had voted, you would know you can't vote more than once.

[JB in TV]

While trying to stay within the guidelines of TOTV, let me say that I personally have beliefs that disagree with some of the issues that are hot issues on both sides. So, just because of the opinion I have about recreational marijuana use, I may not feel the same way about other popular issues. Each issue in my mind is a seperate issue, and I make decisions on each one based on my own feelings, and not some platform.

OK that was clear as mud. :/

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by JB in TV

While trying to stay within the guidelines of TOTV, let me say that I personally have beliefs that disagree with some of the issues that are hot issues on both sides. So, just because of the opinion I have about recreational marijuana use, I may not feel the same way about other popular issues. Each issue in my mind is a seperate issue, and I make decisions on each one based on my own feelings, and not some platform.

OK that was clear as mud. :/

I got it. In fact, you beat me to the punch. I would also speculate (note this is just my opinion) that people in TV of a certain age bracket who are otherwise conservative may have a softer opinion on marijuana because they were the age bracket that made it popular in the '60s.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by DougB

The poll is more than two to one in favor and I believe probably all that voted in this poll pay taxes. But, you may be correct about the alcohol comparison. Those that indulge in smoking pot would probably say it goes well with both red and white meat as well as any German food when the munchies set in.

Oh, I didn't know brownies were a German food!

[TexaninVA]

Originally Posted by rubicon

...
I am afraid that the so called 47% are too busy tending to their free stuff to follow the political issues of our time.

I am of the opinion if you do not pay taxes you should not get to vote and if that law applied I'll bet silly issues like I want my recreational marijuana would disappear quicker than a New York second

This is the most politically incorrect, yet accurate comment, I've seen in a while on TOTV. Thanks for saying it!

Let me repeat with emphasis, and irrespective of the legalizing pot poll ... if you do not pay taxes or work in some capacity, you should NOT be legally entitled to vote. It's that simple.

The reason is obvious ... at some point, once 50% of the population figure out they can vote themselves money, historically speaking it's game over for any republic. We can tweak the law to make it fair (ie if you lose a job, are young and just starting out, on welfare but you HAVE to work, etc). By the way, "job lock" notwithstanding ...gazing at your navel or writing that poem you've always wanted does not count ...unless you can sell it and then pay tax on it.

This is common sense. It would also make our country pretty much instantly solvent if we did this.

[joerocker]

Originally Posted by TexaninVA

Your comment about being more in favor of banning religion than pot is ... well amazing, to put it simply. It provides insight into how you likely lead your life ... ok with me because, as is the contemporary culture mandates ... who is to judge? But, one can still make inferences and my guess is you would probably like a "religion" of some type that celebrates secular humanism or something?

Let me ask about the gateway question differently ... do you know anyone who got into heavy cocaine or heroin usage who did not start out with pot?

Why is it "amazing" that someone might think religion worse than a plant? Do you have any idea how many deaths are attributed to religion over the span of human history? How many deaths are DIRECTLY related to this plant we're discussing?

I lead my life how "I" think it should be lived. Not how someone else tells me I should live it. How do you live yours? As directed by others? Always doing as others tell you to do? Is that freedom? Not in my book.

Who IS to judge? One could judge we're both good people. Another could judge you are superior, another, that I am. Under Islam, we're both heathens not deserving anything. No favor from God. My problem with religion is, it judges. Many of our archaic laws are religious based.

Why would you think we all need some kind of religion? That's what I find amazing, that some people think we all need a religion.

To answer your question, differently. ALL people addicted to heroin did NOT "start" with pot. I'm sure not one did. IMO. they ALL started with caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol. Marijuana is "first" (not a gateway) of the illegal drugs because of its popularity and ease of access. Marijuana is no more responsible for a heroin addicts addiction than an ice cream cone or a doughnut causes a person to become addicted to sugar and morbidly obese. Use/eat responsibly! You don't fix idiots behavior by passing laws denying reasonable people of something they desire.

Marijuana prohibition is the same as alcohol prohibition. A fruitless enterprise that is unwinnable, ruins lives, and supports a huge underground network/economy run by ruthless profiteers. Just as with alcohol, people get what they want.

[Golfingnut]

Originally Posted by joerocker

Why is it "amazing" that someone might think religion worse than a plant? Do you have any idea how many deaths are attributed to religion over the span of human history? How many deaths are DIRECTLY related to this plant we're discussing?

I lead my life how "I" think it should be lived. Not how someone else tells me I should live it. How do you live yours? As directed by others? Always doing as others tell you to do? Is that freedom? Not in my book.

Who IS to judge? One could judge we're both good people. Another could judge you are superior, another, that I am. Under Islam, we're both heathens not deserving anything. No favor from God. My problem with religion is, it judges. Many of our archaic laws are religious based.

Why would you think we all need some kind of religion? That's what I find amazing, that some people think we all need a religion.

To answer your question, differently. ALL people addicted to heroin did NOT "start" with pot. I'm sure not one did. IMO. they ALL started with caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol. Marijuana is "first" (not a gateway) of the illegal drugs because of its popularity and ease of access. Marijuana is no more responsible for a heroin addicts addiction than an ice cream cone or a doughnut causes a person to become addicted to sugar and morbidly obese. Use/eat responsibly! You don't fix idiots behavior by passing laws denying reasonable people of something they desire.

Marijuana prohibition is the same as alcohol prohibition. A fruitless enterprise that is unwinnable, ruins lives, and supports a huge underground network/economy run by ruthless profiteers. Just as with alcohol, people get what they want.

[JB in TV]

Originally Posted by joerocker

Why is it "amazing" that someone might think religion worse than a plant? Do you have any idea how many deaths are attributed to religion over the span of human history? How many deaths are DIRECTLY related to this plant we're discussing?

I lead my life how "I" think it should be lived. Not how someone else tells me I should live it. How do you live yours? As directed by others? Always doing as others tell you to do? Is that freedom? Not in my book.

Who IS to judge? One could judge we're both good people. Another could judge you are superior, another, that I am. Under Islam, we're both heathens not deserving anything. No favor from God. My problem with religion is, it judges. Many of our archaic laws are religious based.

Why would you think we all need some kind of religion? That's what I find amazing, that some people think we all need a religion.

To answer your question, differently. ALL people addicted to heroin did NOT "start" with pot. I'm sure not one did. IMO. they ALL started with caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol. Marijuana is "first" (not a gateway) of the illegal drugs because of its popularity and ease of access. Marijuana is no more responsible for a heroin addicts addiction than an ice cream cone or a doughnut causes a person to become addicted to sugar and morbidly obese. Use/eat responsibly! You don't fix idiots behavior by passing laws denying reasonable people of something they desire.

Marijuana prohibition is the same as alcohol prohibition. A fruitless enterprise that is unwinnable, ruins lives, and supports a huge underground network/economy run by ruthless profiteers. Just as with alcohol, people get what they want.

Very well said.

[TexaninVA]

Originally Posted by joerocker

Why is it "amazing" that someone might think religion worse than a plant? Do you have any idea how many deaths are attributed to religion over the span of human history? How many deaths are DIRECTLY related to this plant we're discussing?

I lead my life how "I" think it should be lived. Not how someone else tells me I should live it. How do you live yours? As directed by others? Always doing as others tell you to do? Is that freedom? Not in my book.

Who IS to judge? One could judge we're both good people. Another could judge you are superior, another, that I am. Under Islam, we're both heathens not deserving anything. No favor from God. My problem with religion is, it judges. Many of our archaic laws are religious based.

Why would you think we all need some kind of religion? That's what I find amazing, that some people think we all need a religion.

To answer your question, differently. ALL people addicted to heroin did NOT "start" with pot. I'm sure not one did. IMO. they ALL started with caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol. Marijuana is "first" (not a gateway) of the illegal drugs because of its popularity and ease of access. Marijuana is no more responsible for a heroin addicts addiction than an ice cream cone or a doughnut causes a person to become addicted to sugar and morbidly obese. Use/eat responsibly! You don't fix idiots behavior by passing laws denying reasonable people of something they desire.

Marijuana prohibition is the same as alcohol prohibition. A fruitless enterprise that is unwinnable, ruins lives, and supports a huge underground network/economy run by ruthless profiteers. Just as with alcohol, people get what they want.

Amazing because of the distorted view you have of religion. Yes, many have died in religious wars over the years, and Islam remains excessively violent today, but I don’t think anyone can seriously deny that, overall, religion has had a hugely beneficial impact. There would be no civilization without it … pure and simple. You’re able to lead your “march to a different beat” lifestyle (which no one begrudges you btw) because Western Civilization, based on Christianity, has evolved to give you those rights. Think about it please.

As far as someone telling you how to live your life, while it plays well emotionally, it’s a complete straw man. I don’t think anyone has told you what to do lifestyle wise since you were a kid, and you probably rebelled against that like a lot of us did.

“Who is to judge?” becomes “no one can judge anything” in contemporary culture, which means no limits at all over time. We both know that. Even though we will draw the line at different places for different things, we all “judge” constantly …every day, including you. Who we associate with, what we do, etc. You know that as well as anyone is my guess.

I repeat, religion by and large, has given us civilization, warts and all. It also is the only real force that enables rule by law. Historically, human nature can be quite savage and, without the glimmer of an internal conscience instilled by religion...yes judging what is right and wrong … we would be in a Darwinian world. North Korea is a good example of that.

In terms of people starting not with pot but with caffeine, nicotine etc … while a clever argument it’s really disingenuous. You could throw in eating, breathing and sleeping too I imagine. I think most people recognize that, for pretty much all heroin or cocaine addicts, pot was indeed the gateway. And I do think drug use is a crutch … for various reasons.

I think legalizing pot will screw up more lives over time than we currently recognize, but we clearly differ in our opinions about that, and my view is losing 70-30 in the poll. But, I still think my view will prove correct over time. The biggest losers will be our grandkids IMHO.

[gomoho]

Originally Posted by JB in TV

don't think that is possible....and what would be the benefit of doing so on a purely small scale, unoffical poll?

If you had voted, you would know you can't vote more than once.

Actually I would only know that if I attempted to vote a 2nd time, but thank you for that information