[newarts]

By and large this was a vote by the small, impotent, uninformed and frightened voting for what they perceive as being in their narrow short term self interests without any clear idea of what those self interests are. .

Sad, but well put.

By and large it applies to all.

[GeneV]

It does not necessarily follow that the "best we've got" is also good enough.

By and large this was a vote by the small, impotent, uninformed and frightened voting for what they perceive as being in their narrow short term self interests without any clear idea of what those self interests are. But you can bet that folks like the Koch brothers and politicians on both sides know exactly and accurately where their interests are.

At the end of the day, even at it's best, an election is by and large a mindless headcount.

Don't read too much into it. The political dynamics will probably be completely different in another six months.

Not to mention overwhelmed by cash, information and misinformation from outside groups. Twice as much money was spent on the Darling election, alone, as in all of the state races in 2010. Then there were the dirty tricks--fake Democratic primary candidates, Koch Brothers-backed groups sending out false information as to the dates of elections, etc. Of course, Citizens United (yes, the actual group) spent cash on ads which won't go into the totals.

[mikemike]

this was a vote by the small, impotent, uninformed and frightened

Wow, you have a very low opinion of the people of Wisconsin.

[jeffkrol]

Wow, you have a very low opinion of the people of Wisconsin.

I doubt if he really just limited it to WI......

[wildman]

Wow, you have a very low opinion of the people of Wisconsin.

As ordinary human beings much like myself who are just trying to muddle through life without hurting too many other folks along the way - no.

As voters making moral, ethical and political decisions that will have long term fundamental consequences for society as a whole - yes.

[Workingdog]

this was a vote by the small, impotent, uninformed and frightened

Sigh.... It's amazing how folks are small, impotent, uninformed, and frightened when the vote doesn't go "your way". How then did the current US President get elected? Did all of the small, impotent, uninformed, and frightened voters stay home that day? Had the vote gone the other way, the voters of Wisconsin would have been lauded as virtual Einsteins by the left.

That being said American voters are a decidedly fickle bunch and if the right wing, conservative stuff doesn't produce results the pendulum will swing left again.

[shooz]

if the right wing, conservative stuff doesn't produce results

It has produced nothing but negative results.
So what does that say about voting republican?

[Nesster]

That being said American voters are a decidedly fickle bunch and if the right wing, conservative stuff doesn't produce results the pendulum will swing left again.

Hmmm... I'm thinking the primary voters have a large influence on the candidates, in both parties, and those in the middle and/or independent don't really have a party to identify with, as the two are overly polarized. Therefore votes cast for one party or another do not necessarily endorse the party's extreme stance - though of course the extremists claim so.

In this atmosphere, something like Obama's governing to the center-right is not seen as a positive by either party: the Republicans are busy tacking further right, while the Democrats feel abandoned. And there's little moderate center in either party to react with enthusiasm.

So: a small nuance, in personalty, in late night jokes, in something said, in something portrayed may produce the appearance of a mass political shift, when in fact it's just folks trying to pick between two cereal boxes.

[newarts]

Sigh.... It's amazing how folks are small, impotent, uninformed, and frightened when the vote doesn't go "your way". How then did the current US President get elected? Did all of the small, impotent, uninformed, and frightened voters stay home that day? Had the vote gone the other way, the voters of Wisconsin would have been lauded as virtual Einsteins by the left.

That being said American voters are a decidedly fickle bunch and if the right wing, conservative stuff doesn't produce results the pendulum will swing left again.

No reference to going one way or the other was given or implied so far as I could see.

You don't think the electorate (including me) are "folks ... small, impotent, uninformed, and frightened"? If not, you are living in a dream world.

That is unless you are one of the large, potent, fully informed, and justifiably confident few (of which there are likely exactly none.) The big trick is to combine all of these features with fully understanding consequences of their actions. Which by and large is not possible in a system as complex as ours.

[seacapt]

I think there must have been a dangling chad in Wisconsin. Let's demand a recount.

[newarts]

I think there must have been a dangling chad in Wisconsin. Let's demand a recount.

I spoke with Chad. He didn't vote

[mikemike]

No reference to going one way or the other was given or implied so far as I could see.

He did say "this was a case..." so he was speaking about the election that occurred 2 days ago in Wisconsin where republicans one 4 of 6 races and a healthy majority of votes.

I think there must have been a dangling chad in Wisconsin.

So you are subscribing to the theory of impotent voters?

Now that I think back on Walker's run-ins with the public sector unions I think wildman might have a point...

The Milwaukee teachers union has dropped a lawsuit seeking to get its taxpayer-funded Viagra back.

The union sued in July 2010 to force the school board to again include the erectile dysfunction drug and similar pills in its health insurance plans.

Milwaukee teachers union drops Viagra suit - BusinessWeek

[jeffkrol]

He did say "this was a case..." so he was speaking about the election that occurred 2 days ago in Wisconsin where republicans won 4 of 6 races and a healthy majority of votes.


So you are subscribing to the theory of impotent voters?

Now that I think back on Walker's run-ins with the public sector unions I think wildman might have a point...

Milwaukee teachers union drops Viagra suit - BusinessWeek

Fluff........... they pay in (yes it IS insurance in lieu of wages).........they should decide what is and is not covered...

As to elections again, 3 of those are in heavy repub. majorities and there was little party crossover here or in the nation. People aren't as "independent" as they pretend..

As to trusting the masses.. Our founding fathers had little faith in THAT idea.. thus the Electorial College.

Tyranny of the majority or minority.. fine lines......

[shooz]

Spin, spin spin.
poorly put, mike.

After all, real Americans don't need no health care.

[GeneV]

Fluff........... they pay in (yes it IS insurance in lieu of wages).........they should decide what is and is not covered...

As to elections again, 3 of those are in heavy repub. majorities and there was little party crossover here or in the nation. People aren't as "independent" as they pretend..

As to trusting the masses.. Our founding fathers had little faith in THAT idea.. thus the Electorial College.

Tyranny of the majority or minority.. fine lines......

As an employer, I can say it is absolutely true that insurance comes out of wages. My insurance rates go up 11% or more per year. That would be a pretty nice raise.