As "vote day" is here

[audtatious]

Good luck to each in that their candidate gets elected. Regardless of all the arguments here I feel we have jumped into the political realm in support of our rights as citizens. It's been oft-times amusing and fun going on tangents and discussing both sides of the fence and I actually appreciate everyone's viewpoints regardless of it seeming the exact opposite at times.

Just make sure you get out and vote. If you don't vote then I don't want to see your opinions posted here as they are moot.

Thanks gang

[Jesda]

Please, people, don't vote unless you know what you're doing. If you want to stay home, then stay home. Don't let P. Diddy guilt you into making an uninformed decision.

[Cold_Zero]

Just got back from voting. The line snaked out the door and around the school. I think the polling place opened about 25 minutes late. Then a woman came along and asked if we were from the north side of the railroad tracks or the southside. There are a lot of people from the north so we cruised on by them. Then the lady asked if anyone had an 'N-Z' last name. About 4 of us went all the way up to the front.

Finally! Having a name that starts at the end of the alphabet pays off! I can remember in Elementary School when we were always relegated to the back of the line. Fast forward some +20 years and it finally pays off!

I have to say we never have to wait in line to vote, not even in a Presidential Election. There were a lot of people at the polls. A few more blacks than normally vote, but a lot more whites. I am sure the demographics are the opposite deep inside Indianapolis.bud

[heliochrome85]

indeed. i think the fact that there are millions having the same heated debates we have been having over the past few months speaks to how important and changing this election has been and will be. I think there is a good chance that this election has caused a shift in American Politics, the aftershocks will be felt well into the future. America has woken up and realized that they can not be passive about their government anymore. Win or Lose, Obama represents significant progress in our society, and sets a precedent, that i hope, will be followed by many more, qualified multi-racial candidates in the future.

[Cold_Zero]

Not that I disagree with you Helio, but I think the 'race' and 'religion' thing with candidates is not a factor. Socially, it maybe a sign of the times and that is great but politically it means nothing. Case in point, look at Andre Carson my Congressman. He is black and a Muslim (Nation of Islam). We are so under represented outside of Center Township in Indianapolis it is not funny. But then again he is just carrying on the tradition of his Grandmother by under representing the non Center Township districts of Indiana's 7th Congressional District.

[nsrZ32]

I was at the polling location at 620am as polls opened at 630am. I was 27th in line and by the time I voted and headed out there were probably another 50 or so in line. Things went smoothly, they had more than twice as many voting booths as they normally do, and were well staffed. Definitely a pleasant experience and I'm thrilled to see the heavy voter turn out

Best of luck to all.

[Cold_Zero]

Our polls open at 6am. It took me about 30 minutes to vote. On average, it takes about 10 minutes.

I was surprised that with our voter ID law, the lines didn't take even longer.

[marlin29311]

7:20 am and I was the 90th person to vote in my district, with a line of about 20-30 behind me and more people rolling up. Nuts!

I can't wait for all the damn ads to stop though. I'm so happy this ends today (God willing...)...

[HashiriyaS14]

I got in line at 5:45am and didn't get to vote until 7:45am.

Lines suck, but voting is worth it.

Besides, I had a PSP, so it was all good.

[OriginalWheelman]

I'm still waiting for a ride to the polling place.

The only thing that really bothers me about this election is the number of black people voting for Obama just because he's black. It disgusts me. To quote one random woman "It's our turn." Your turn? If the line is ever going to go away BOTH sides need to stop drawing it... Racism is racism. If you're voting against Obama because he's black you're a racist, and if you vote for him just cause he's black you're a racist too in my book. At least the people who are voting for him for his misguided bourgeois tax policy have a valid reason. This election has really showed how bad things still are. Wake up America.

[dusred]

The only thing that really bothers me about this election is the number of black people voting for Obama just because he's black. It disgusts me. To quote one random woman "It's our turn." Your turn? Racism is racism. If you're voting against Obama because he's black you're a racist, and if you vote for him just cause he's black you're a racist too in my book.

Man, I couldn't agree more. IMO, if Obama wins it will be because of that. Lots of black people who don't usually vote are voting this round.

There are lots of people around here who don't vote at all and never have. Maybe when our country goes to hell they'll wish they would have .

[audtatious]

I'm still waiting for a ride to the polling place.

The only thing that really bothers me about this election is the number of black people voting for Obama just because he's black. It disgusts me. To quote one random woman "It's our turn." Your turn? If the line is ever going to go away BOTH sides need to stop drawing it... Racism is racism. If you're voting against Obama because he's black you're a racist, and if you vote for him just cause he's black you're a racist too in my book. At least the people who are voting for him for his misguided bourgeois tax policy have a valid reason. This election has really showed how bad things still are. Wake up America.

I don't care about his color, I don't like his policy.

[Encryptshun]

I voted. Now we sit back and watch the fireworks.

I only have two hopes:

1) We avoid a redux of the 2000 election

2) No matter who gets elected POTUS, we set aside our sometimes myopic passion and earnestly work together to make the best of what we have. Democracy is all about voting for your choice but understanding that you might have to throw your support behind someone else.

In the end, you aren't supporting a man or a woman or a building -- you are supporting a nation. Let's not forget that.

[rjdmmfl1]

I'm still waiting for a ride to the polling place.

The only thing that really bothers me about this election is the number of black people voting for Obama just because he's black. It disgusts me. To quote one random woman "It's our turn." Your turn? If the line is ever going to go away BOTH sides need to stop drawing it... Racism is racism. If you're voting against Obama because he's black you're a racist, and if you vote for him just cause he's black you're a racist too in my book. At least the people who are voting for him for his misguided bourgeois tax policy have a valid reason. This election has really showed how bad things still are. Wake up America.

I understand where you are coming from, and to an extent I agree. By definition, I hate the term "race" .. as a physician scientist, I can attest that most in the scientific community agree that the term can not be applied to human beings as there isn't enough genetic divesity to support it. There is one race, the HUMAN RACE, and various ethnic groups within that huiman race!

BUt I digress, I don't expect any non African American here to understand the plight of African Americans anymore that I could understand the plight of Native Americans, or Jews in Germany. African Americans have been disfranchised and then disenfranchised in this country, many of which are still alive and voting today. Many of those same individuals are poor and members of the Middle class or lower middle class, or worse! The combination of those two together is enough reason for many of them to vote for Barack Obama, before looking at his policies one by one. I say that because since Barack is a democrat, many feel that whatevr his policies are, they are more in line with their best interest than what the republicans have to offer... as one African American woman once put it, "the republicans hjaven't done anything good for us since they freed the slaves"

So its not just because he's black. Its because he's a democrat! Clinton received the same turnout percentages (not numbers) of blacks voting in his favor... and he wasn't black... but he was a democrat that they felt would help them out more so than the republicans.

So if you guys are upset about anything, make the argument that so many blacks are voting democratic because they are black. BUt to say that they are voting for Obama only because he is black is historically and factually inaccuarte when compared with the last few democratic candidates! Barack Obama is a politican and leader who happens to be black... this isn't jesse Jackson we're talking about here.. this guy is for real!

[dusred]

as one African American woman once put it, "the republicans hjaven't done anything good for us since they freed the slaves"

Do you endorse that statement? Here in America Blacks are not treated any different then Whites, remember? That would explain why republicans haven't done anything special for the blacks.

[Jesda]

Voting "for" your skin color is flipping retarded, and thousands of people intend to do just that.

[rjdmmfl1]

Do you endorse that statement? Here in America Blacks are not treated any different then Whites, remember? That would explain why republicans haven't done anything special for the blacks.

no, its not that I support that statement because factually its incorrect. If it wasn't for the Republicans, we wouldn't have made it past Jim Crow. But you must understand my firend, this is how many older African Americans feel, and that was the point of that quote!

However, if you really believe the statement that blacks are not treated any different than whites, then I don't see a point in continuing this conversation intelligently!

[skylndrftr]

Voting "for" your skin color is flipping retarded, and thousands of people intend to do just that.

Just as a point, voting "for" your religion is basically the same thing.

Good voting everyone! Best of luck to your candidates (except where we may disagree )

[Encryptshun]

However, if you really believe the statement that blacks are not treated any different than whites, then I don't see a point in continuing this conversation intelligently!

Please start a new thread on this topic. I would be interested to discuss this further, but I'm white and therefore cannot talk about race unless someone else starts the conversation.

[dusred]

Just as a point, voting "for" your religion is basically the same thing.

Incorrect.

I think it's obvious but since it came up I'll point out the difference between race and Religion. Religion is a group of people who believe the same and share the same sentiments; race is an uncontrollable feature that we are each born with. There is a VERY big difference between the 2.

[rjdmmfl1]

Voting "for" your skin color is flipping retarded, and thousands of people intend to do just that.

Its uneducated, but not retarded... there's a difference! And also, I think many people fail to make the distinction between voting for Obama ONLY because he's black, and voting for Obama even though he's black. You folks act as if many African Americans can't make an intelligent decision and are blindly leading the blind. Just because I vote for Obama doesn't mean I haven't read through both of theirs plans of action carefully.

Yes there are people that are voting for Obama because he's black, and its an uneducated thing to do. BUt everyone doesn't have to vote for a candidate for the same reasons. The intelligent look at the policies, the less intelligent look at other things, one of them being a feeling of how a particular candidate would support or hurt them in particular! I have older family members that didn't finish high school or college, they aren't the most educated and they don't have computers to read up on the latest policies. BUt in their gut, if they feel, as folks that lived through the 50's and 60's, that a black candidate would better serve their needs than someone else, who am I to tell them they can't vote that way.

My grandmother lives in Jacksonville, FL, was involved in the civil rights movement anwas beaten, jailed, hosed, and flogged, all fighting for the right to cast her ballot. So if she wants to vote for bugs bunny for president, then I'll hold her hand while she writes down the name! Who are you to tell her why she should or shouldn't vote for someone !

[OriginalWheelman]

I understand where you are coming from, and to an extent I agree. By definition, I hate the term "race" .. as a physician scientist, I can attest that most in the scientific community agree that the term can not be applied to human beings as there isn't enough genetic divesity to support it. There is one race, the HUMAN RACE, and various ethnic groups within that huiman race!

While I share your ideals, from a purely logical perspective there is one human species. Races do exist (for now anyway), as sub species if you will, as species are defined by the ability to mate. There are not significant genetic differences, if we wanted we could get into the debate about pan troglodytes being moved into the h0m0 genus, as there is only 8% genetic difference from h0m0 sapiens.

Just as a point, voting "for" your religion is basically the same thing.

Voting for a belief system is VERY different than voting for a chromosome. RALLY BEHIND THE MELANIN!

[Cold_Zero]

Not that I disagree with you Helio, but I think the 'race' and 'religion' thing with candidates is not a factor. Socially, it maybe a sign of the times and that is great but politically it means nothing.

Just as a point, voting "for" your religion is basically the same thing.

Good voting everyone! Best of luck to your candidates (except where we may disagree )

Welcome to this morning. Thank you for parroting my comments.

[marlin29311]

This kinda makes me wish bob was not banned so he could come in and talk about how racism doesn't exist

No one is accusing you of not understanding the issues Rob. The blanket statements being made are in regard to the fact that there are thousands, if not more, uninformed black voters (and other races as well, btw) that are voting today simply because Obama is black - it's a plain truth. Had Hillary been on the ballot for the Dems, this election would be a completely different ballgame, possibly with the repercussion being that women blindly voting for Hillary because she is a woman. I agree with the statement that the uneducated generally go towards the Dem side, but I also believe the race card is in true effect. I can guarantee there are thousands of red-neck whites voting for McCain, simply because he's white! It's almost working both ways here. Again, no one is castigating you or your family members that are voting off personal experience or what not - it's the thousands of people that are voting to day because its "the cool thing to do" and almost have no basis for placing their votes.

This is the whole reason that the electoral college was made - to prevent someone that shouldn't be in office from getting it. We could have some magical candidate that woo's the populus with no expereince at all and he/she could get elected to the office but not know a damn thing about what's really going on and simply pursue a personal vendetta (almost like Hitler...). So that's why a safeguard is created in this situtation. I'm not saying that Obama is this type of person, ps.

[rjdmmfl1]

While I share your ideals, from a purely logical perspective there is one human species. Races do exist (for now anyway), as sub species if you will, as species are defined by the ability to mate. There are not significant genetic differences, if we wanted we could get into the debate about pan troglodytes being moved into the h0m0 genus, as there is only 8% genetic difference from h0m0 sapiens.

Voting for a belief system is VERY different than voting for a chromosome. RALLY BEHIND THE MELANIN!

again, its been widely accepted by anthroppoligists, geneticsts, and Biologists alike that the 2% of our genes that acount for skin, hair, etc are NOT enough to actually substantiate the term "race". Race is by all means a social construct

[audtatious]

Well, they obviously have the right to vote for Obama because he is black if that is what they want to do, same as someone voting for McCain because he is white. Most of us just wish people would rise above conflict of color and elect who they feel is best based on issues instead of the way they look or what religion they associate with.

[audtatious]

Oh, and I have done my civic duty. I walked in and out, no lines.

[rjdmmfl1]

Well, they obviously have the right to vote for Obama because he is black if that is what they want to do, same as some one voting for McCain because he is white. Most of us just wish people would rise above conflict of color and elect who they feel is best based on issues instead of the way they look or what religion they associate with.

I underdtand Audtatious, but you must take into acount the history of peole being able to vote for whatever reason they see fit.

Many voters are uneducated and uninformed. My argument is that for them, white, or black, if they go with a gut instinct over a candidate, who are we to tell them they can't do it. And we can't require literacy or any of that jazz like we did in the past in an effort to keep a certain group from voting. If an individual is a tax paying citizen, and can get to the polls, then they have the right to vote for mickey mouse! We can't place judgement on people simply because they use a less than intelligent logic when voting for a candidate!

I don't believe in white supremacy. but I can understand a white man in America that lost his job to an immigrant that worked for less wages, and feels like we (minorities) are taking over the country and does not want to see a black man be president, no matter what his policies are./ i'm not saying he's right, I'm just saying I understand where he's coming from.

So too can I understand a black woman that grew up in segregation, had to deal with racism and prejudice all her life, and in her gut feels that a black president will serve her needs best. Gain, it may not be right, and I may not agree, but I understand!

[sensibleS13driver]

Man, I couldn't agree more. IMO, if Obama wins it will be because of that. Lots of black people who don't usually vote are voting this round.

YES!!! The 51% who vote for Obama are all bandwaogoners, and the 49% who vote for McCain are totally breakin' the mold!!!

Waited 5 minutes, good luck BO!

[LongBeachCoupe]

LBC weighing in... as a liberal dem, jew, and NYer whose seen many things in my 26 years.

First im a firm believer in

"if you dont vote, stfu because you have no right to complain unless you weigh in"

I havent really made an appearance in this section of NICO for a number of reasons i choose not to mention... but todays election day so im giving my bit.

This country was founded upon freedom... however you want to slice it.

How someone wants to vote is their own opinion and isnt for anyone to tamper with...

For every african american voting for Obama "just because hes black" theres an equal if not greater (IMHO) amount of honky bigots who are voting McCain because hes "not black".

People talk about the numbers of african american voters who are saying "im voting because hes black" etc... but wheres the popular media showing the whites who are saying "i aint votin for no (insert racial term here)".

Regardless of who you vote for, lets all be happy that unless your (a felon etc.) that you have the right to vote, and no one can take that away from you.

Lets also hope that regardless of who is elected, that they will have the insight and support to keep this country afloat..