K-Mac Posted June 15, 2007 Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 Hello! This is my first post and I am new to all of this. I only recently heard of Ayn Rand and just finished Atlas Shrugged. Although the book was incredible and made me feel some relief to know that I'm not the only one out there with a shred of common sense, I must say that the book made me feel even more concern for my country and its politics. I literally feel depressed at the thought of voting in the next elections. Who can I honestly vote for in good conscience? I know the candidates have yet to be determined, it's still very early, etc., but you and I both know that no one of real substance will be elected either way. I would like to hear from someone who is able to to keep from being depressed by it all and I would like to know how you do it. Maybe I need therapy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert J. Kolker Posted June 15, 2007 Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 Hello! This is my first post and I am new to all of this. I only recently heard of Ayn Rand and just finished Atlas Shrugged. Although the book was incredible and made me feel some relief to know that I'm not the only one out there with a shred of common sense, I must say that the book made me feel even more concern for my country and its politics. I literally feel depressed at the thought of voting in the next elections. Who can I honestly vote for in good conscience? I know the candidates have yet to be determined, it's still very early, etc., but you and I both know that no one of real substance will be elected either way. I would like to hear from someone who is able to to keep from being depressed by it all and I would like to know how you do it. Maybe I need therapy? You don't need therapy. Anyone who is not disturbed and distressed by the condition of the country is out of touch. Who should you vote for. I can think of three approaches. 1. Don't vote. All the choices are tainted. If you are hot to remain pure touch not corruption and filth. 2. Vote for the lesser of evils (that is what most people do). 3. Vote for the greater of evils in the hope of causing our corrupt system to fail and disintegrate. You might not like the consequences if you are successful. Bob Kolker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drew1776 Posted June 15, 2007 Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 Hello! This is my first post and I am new to all of this. I only recently heard of Ayn Rand and just finished Atlas Shrugged. Although the book was incredible and made me feel some relief to know that I'm not the only one out there with a shred of common sense, I must say that the book made me feel even more concern for my country and its politics. I literally feel depressed at the thought of voting in the next elections. Who can I honestly vote for in good conscience? I know the candidates have yet to be determined, it's still very early, etc., but you and I both know that no one of real substance will be elected either way. I would like to hear from someone who is able to to keep from being depressed by it all and I would like to know how you do it. Maybe I need therapy? In the past I have voted for Libertarians. While many Objectivists don’t like them (just do a search for libertarian on this forum) I think they are the best candidate in many circumstances (and I view it as a protest vote). In the past I have voted for the candidate who I supposed would do the least damage. Fast forward to the present. We do not live in a country where you even have a choice in who you want to vote for. While it varies by state, many states including North Carolina have very strict ballot access laws. In the next election, North Carolina will allow me to vote for a Republican or a Democrat but no one else. Other parties, even other individuals, are denied a position on the ballot unless they can garner an obscene number of signatures. I’m debating not voting in the next election (at least for national offices) as a protest against the fact that the state of North Carolina will not count my vote if I vote other than a Republican and Democrat. See you’re worried about how you choose who to vote for but the real problem is that the entire election process has been hijacked. You don't need therapy. Anyone who is not disturbed and distressed by the condition of the country is out of touch. Who should you vote for. I can think of three approaches. 1. Don't vote. All the choices are tainted. If you are hot to remain pure touch not corruption and filth. 2. Vote for the lesser of evils (that is what most people do). 3. Vote for the greater of evils in the hope of causing our corrupt system to fail and disintegrate. You might not like the consequences if you are successful. Bob Kolker Bob layed the options out very nicely. As a fourth option I would put forget the electoral process and overthrow the government. Seriously, I only think a revolution will restore proper government. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-Mac Posted June 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 Picking the lesser of the evils is how I've been voting since age 18. I hate to not participate in the system, but at the same time, what good is it doing? I do apprecaite your response to my therapy question..." You don't need therapy. Anyone who is not disturbed and distressed by the condition of the country is out of touch." This is why I wanted to join this forum. Even though I am new to Ayn Rand and her ideas, I know that people here will make me feel at home and sane again. Unfortunately, many of my friends are liberals (and don't realize they're socialists), and sometimes they try to make me out to be the crazy one. I've seriously considered ditching them as friends, but some of them I've known since high school and college, and the others are people who I truly believe are simply misguided and misinformed. We agree on what the problems are, but not how to solve them. I think I can convert a few of them, but it will take time and many conversations. One of them has already agreed to read Atlas Shrugged and I plan to give it to her this weekend. I guess I feel like an orange in a bushel of apples. There does not seem to be too many people of my age group that think like I do and it can be very lonely. It would be so nice to socialize with other people who believe the way I do, but they're hard to locate, especially since I moved from Texas to Colorado last summer. I am dying to go to the conference in Telluride this summer, but my husband was laid off earlier this year and we are still working to get caught up. It's just not feasible for me at this time. At any rate, I'm glad I found this forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-Mac Posted June 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 In the past I have voted for the candidate who I supposed would do the least damage. I think this is what I will continue to do. In the next election, North Carolina will allow me to vote for a Republican or a Democrat but no one else. You're right, the system's broken. Bob layed the options out very nicely. As a fourth option I would put forget the electoral process and overthrow the government. Seriously, I only think a revolution will restore proper government. Unfortunately, I agree with you. I just hope it's a peaceful revolution. I certainly don't want to take up arms against another human being, but I will if propelled to do so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KendallJ Posted June 15, 2007 Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 (edited) Kelly Did you know there is an Objectivist group in Denver called Front Range Objectivists? Diana Hsieh of the Noodlefood blog is a member I believe. As an Objectivist who lives in a small town, and hadn't seen another live Objectivist for the first 10 years he was one, I know how you feel sometimes. Take heart. There are plenty of us out here, and boards like this one put like-minded people together. As to voting, there is a lot of debate these days about the best strategy, and not much concensus. Also much debate about who really is the lesser or greater of the evils. My take is that while it is a very important topic, the world is not going to collapes tomorrow because of your vote. The country didn't get here overnight, and the philosophical changes required to effect a real shift will not happen overnight either. My best thought is to keep the gridlock in effect until that time comes. Many people when they read AS or TF first come away with a very worried view of the world. There are reasons to be worried, but there are reasons to be happy as well. I would suggest an Ayn Rand short story called "Good Copy" which will surprise you because it doesn't contain anybody fiercely struggling against the world. What I like about other Objectivists, is that for all their seriousness, they are a very benevolent lot! PS. welcome to the board! And what kind of puppies are those in your avatar? Edited June 15, 2007 by KendallJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert J. Kolker Posted June 15, 2007 Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 Unfortunately, I agree with you. I just hope it's a peaceful revolution. I certainly don't want to take up arms against another human being, but I will if propelled to do so. The last "peaceful revolution" took place in Philadelphia in 1787. And that only delayed the violent consequences of its compromises on the matter of slavery. The Butcher's Bill was rendered between 1861 and 1865. The price -- 620,000 killed and 1.5 million maimed or wounded. Conclusion: there are no really true peaceful revolutions. In any political transformation someone will be hurt. Bob Kolker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-Mac Posted June 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 Did you know there is an Objectivist group in Denver called Front Range Objectivists? Diana Hsieh of the Noodlefood blog is a member I believe. I'll have to check them out. Being new to all of this, I am very eager to learn more. I also just moved to Colorado a year ago, so I am anxious to meet new people. I lived in Houston all of my life, and although moving to a new place has been fun and exciting, meeting new friends has been a slow process. As an Objectivist who lives in a small town, and hadn't seen another live Objectivist for the first 10 years he was one, I know how you feel sometimes. Take heart. There are plenty of us out here, and boards like this one put like-minded people together. Thank goodness I would suggest an Ayn Rand short story called "Good Copy" which will surprise you because it doesn't contain anybody fiercely struggling against the world. I'll be sure to check that out. And what kind of puppies are those in your avatar? They're Boxers. They do not have their ears cropped, so they look a little different than the ones you see at dog shows, etc. I'm not interested in showing dogs and I prefer the ears floppy. They're such a loving, friendly, playful breed, so I just can't stand to crop their ears and make them look mean. The picture is the male and female we owned back in 1995. We just bred them the one time. Puppies are cute and fun, but they were a lot of hard work. Conclusion: there are no really true peaceful revolutions. In any political transformation someone will be hurt. I know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-Mac Posted June 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2007 (edited) And thank you to whomever corrected my topic title. Edited June 15, 2007 by K-Mac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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