Stressed about election

[Anonymous]

I am in my late 20s. I'm smart, keep up with current events, can hold my own in a discussion. But for some reason, I am terrified to cast a vote in the upcoming election. I know I must do so, but frankly, I can see no good outcome. Obama is probably the better choice, but honestly, he hasn't impressed me and I'm not sure where the next 4 years will take us. But surely Romney can't be better? I've never been so paralyzed when it came to making this decision before. Probably because in my first election, I was just parroting my parents and peers and voted Bush (grew up in a red state) and in the next 2, he/his party was so obviously the poor choice that voting against him was easy. Is this just part of getting older and realizing there's so much I DON'T know, or is the upcoming election really as indecisive as it is for me? I happily voted Obama in 2008, but I can't cast my ballot for him quite so easily this time. But I also have a lot of misgivings about Romney.

[Anonymous]

Romney is a nightmare. Supposedly he's this big-deal businessman, but he can't even manage to run a decently competent campaign. It's just been one gaffe and disaster after another. If you're not enough of a leader to run a campaign how can you run an entire country? I'm not saying that Obama's campaign skills automatically meant he'd be a good president, but it's sort of a minimal standard. If you can't even manage to run a campaign, how can you do anything harder? All the GOP had to do this year was present a viable alternative to Obama, and they failed. Big time. They don't seem to have an interest in good governance of any kind any more, so don't reward them for that with your vote. JMHO.

P.S. I also think it's normal to be overwhelmed. It's impossible to have all the facts because things are so complicated. You just have to make the best choice you can with the facts that are in front of you, and hope for the best. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Take this (admittedly biased) quiz:

http://www.selectsmart.com/president/

It worked for me. 92% Obama. 1% Santorum.

[Anonymous]

If you hate America, vote Obama.

[Anonymous]

OP, what concerns you about Obama?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, what concerns you about Obama?

Admittedly now, I don't know every political issue through and through. So I might show some of my ignorance here. I'm not a fan of his green initiatives. I'm not necessarily one of those "There's no such thing as global warming!" people and I do think we need to do something about the environment. The green initiatives seem to just have been huge wastes of time and resources though, with minimal benefits. I think he made some really poor choices with his cabinet- specifically, Eric Holder. Was the war in Libya necessary? Does he cater too much to Israel? (Full disclosure: I need to make it a point to read up more about Israel and our position with them and how this affects our relationships with other countries. Same with the UN. I know way too little about these issues.) Selfishly, I know my family will personally be negatively affected by his tax plan. That's not a deal breaker for me, it just sucks. I worry that he will raise taxes but will not cut enough in terms of spending to make much of a difference, so that we'll be swimming in debt (thanks to the cost of war and Obamacare) AND paying high taxes. I took a test at isidewith.com and it told me I side most with Jill Stein. Socially, I'm liberal. Legalize gay marriage, legalize marijuana, all of that's cool. Fiscally, I think I'm a little more conservative.

[Anonymous]

You said that "I know I must do so", but if you are honestly split and undecided why not just not vote.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Just took the selectsmart test. 81% Obama. Only 56% Romney.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You said that "I know I must do so", but if you are honestly split and undecided why not just not vote.

Feels unAmerican and lazy, I guess. Like I don't give a shit enough to make a decision. Could be because I was raised in the 90s MTV/Rock the Vote/Vote or Die generation. Don't know. I just don't feel like I could in good conscience NOT vote.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, what concerns you about Obama?

Admittedly now, I don't know every political issue through and through. So I might show some of my ignorance here. I'm not a fan of his green initiatives. I'm not necessarily one of those "There's no such thing as global warming!" people and I do think we need to do something about the environment. The green initiatives seem to just have been huge wastes of time and resources though, with minimal benefits. I think he made some really poor choices with his cabinet- specifically, Eric Holder. Was the war in Libya necessary? Does he cater too much to Israel? (Full disclosure: I need to make it a point to read up more about Israel and our position with them and how this affects our relationships with other countries. Same with the UN. I know way too little about these issues.) Selfishly, I know my family will personally be negatively affected by his tax plan. That's not a deal breaker for me, it just sucks. I worry that he will raise taxes but will not cut enough in terms of spending to make much of a difference, so that we'll be swimming in debt (thanks to the cost of war and Obamacare) AND paying high taxes. I took a test at isidewith.com and it told me I side most with Jill Stein. Socially, I'm liberal. Legalize gay marriage, legalize marijuana, all of that's cool. Fiscally, I think I'm a little more conservative.

Ok, you need to go do some research. Holder is probably one of the least significant cabinet members. Yes, there is the old "fast and furios" issue but that is nothing. If you are going to quibble about cabinet appointments at least pick someone like Geitner. There was no war wiuth Libya (the US provided air support) - . Isreal?, really you think Obama caters too much to Isreal (clearly you have not listened to Romney or Bibi becasue they do not think so). If catering to Isreal is a concern when you really do not want to vote for Romney bc he has basically been bought by Sheldon Adelson. Cant quibble with you on the tax point so it that is really important to you then it should make your decision clearer. Again, do some research.

[Anonymous]

OP, ever hear that old saying "If you are young and not liberal, you have no heart; if you are old and not conservative, you have no brain"?

You are at that transitional point between the two. The best time of all to decide, because you are more open to balance.

Do your research, think about what you want this country to look like down the road, not only for you and for your children's future, and you will make a good decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, what concerns you about Obama?

Admittedly now, I don't know every political issue through and through. So I might show some of my ignorance here. I'm not a fan of his green initiatives. I'm not necessarily one of those "There's no such thing as global warming!" people and I do think we need to do something about the environment. The green initiatives seem to just have been huge wastes of time and resources though, with minimal benefits. I think he made some really poor choices with his cabinet- specifically, Eric Holder. Was the war in Libya necessary? Does he cater too much to Israel? (Full disclosure: I need to make it a point to read up more about Israel and our position with them and how this affects our relationships with other countries. Same with the UN. I know way too little about these issues.) Selfishly, I know my family will personally be negatively affected by his tax plan. That's not a deal breaker for me, it just sucks. I worry that he will raise taxes but will not cut enough in terms of spending to make much of a difference, so that we'll be swimming in debt (thanks to the cost of war and Obamacare) AND paying high taxes. I took a test at isidewith.com and it told me I side most with Jill Stein. Socially, I'm liberal. Legalize gay marriage, legalize marijuana, all of that's cool. Fiscally, I think I'm a little more conservative.

Ok, you need to go do some research. Holder is probably one of the least significant cabinet members. Yes, there is the old "fast and furios" issue but that is nothing. If you are going to quibble about cabinet appointments at least pick someone like Geitner. There was no war wiuth Libya (the US provided air support) - . Isreal?, really you think Obama caters too much to Isreal (clearly you have not listened to Romney or Bibi becasue they do not think so). If catering to Isreal is a concern when you really do not want to vote for Romney bc he has basically been bought by Sheldon Adelson. Cant quibble with you on the tax point so it that is really important to you then it should make your decision clearer. Again, do some research.

OP here. You make fair points, and I fully concede I need to brush up on some of those topics. But my DH is a former cop and currently works in border/Homeland security with a major contracting company, so the Fast and Furious thing was not really "insignificant" to me. In the grand scheme of the world... sure. But it wasn't something I brushed off easily. In fact, let me add another Obama concern to the list: his stance on illegal immigration. Could be biased because as I said, this is my DH's bread and butter, but we are very friendly with many border sheriffs in Texas/Arizona and I can probably be considered conservative on the issue. I have no problems with immigrants coming to America, but I think they should go through the proper channels, do it legally, get on the books, and pay their taxes like the rest of us. Border violence and illegal immigration concerns me, and Obama is pretty lax on it.

[Anonymous]

OP, I think it's great that you're spending time trying to figure out who to vote for. This piece of information may make it easier or may make you more cynical but where do you live?

If you live in DC, be aware that DC will go 85 to 90% for Obama so your vote one way or another won't make a difference in awarding those 3 (I think) electoral votes. That's why I'm voting for the Green Party candidate, Jill Stein, as a protest vote. But if Romney had any chance of winning I would vote for Obama.

If you live in Virginia (or in a swing state like Ohio), your vote is really important because Virginia could go either way, so, yes, the pressure is on to pick wisely.

I'm assuming Maryland will go for Obama, no question, but I don't know - maybe some Marylanders can weigh in on that.

But again, I really appreciate your concern - even with the election this far away still. Do your research and thanks for voting!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I think it's great that you're spending time trying to figure out who to vote for. This piece of information may make it easier or may make you more cynical but where do you live?

If you live in DC, be aware that DC will go 85 to 90% for Obama so your vote one way or another won't make a difference in awarding those 3 (I think) electoral votes. That's why I'm voting for the Green Party candidate, Jill Stein, as a protest vote. But if Romney had any chance of winning I would vote for Obama.

If you live in Virginia (or in a swing state like Ohio), your vote is really important because Virginia could go either way, so, yes, the pressure is on to pick wisely.

I'm assuming Maryland will go for Obama, no question, but I don't know - maybe some Marylanders can weigh in on that.

But again, I really appreciate your concern - even with the election this far away still. Do your research and thanks for voting!

OP here. I'm Virginia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, what concerns you about Obama?

Admittedly now, I don't know every political issue through and through. So I might show some of my ignorance here. I'm not a fan of his green initiatives. I'm not necessarily one of those "There's no such thing as global warming!" people and I do think we need to do something about the environment. The green initiatives seem to just have been huge wastes of time and resources though, with minimal benefits. I think he made some really poor choices with his cabinet- specifically, Eric Holder. Was the war in Libya necessary? Does he cater too much to Israel? (Full disclosure: I need to make it a point to read up more about Israel and our position with them and how this affects our relationships with other countries. Same with the UN. I know way too little about these issues.) Selfishly, I know my family will personally be negatively affected by his tax plan. That's not a deal breaker for me, it just sucks. I worry that he will raise taxes but will not cut enough in terms of spending to make much of a difference, so that we'll be swimming in debt (thanks to the cost of war and Obamacare) AND paying high taxes. I took a test at isidewith.com and it told me I side most with Jill Stein. Socially, I'm liberal. Legalize gay marriage, legalize marijuana, all of that's cool. Fiscally, I think I'm a little more conservative.

Ok, you need to go do some research. Holder is probably one of the least significant cabinet members. Yes, there is the old "fast and furios" issue but that is nothing. If you are going to quibble about cabinet appointments at least pick someone like Geitner. There was no war wiuth Libya (the US provided air support) - . Isreal?, really you think Obama caters too much to Isreal (clearly you have not listened to Romney or Bibi becasue they do not think so). If catering to Isreal is a concern when you really do not want to vote for Romney bc he has basically been bought by Sheldon Adelson. Cant quibble with you on the tax point so it that is really important to you then it should make your decision clearer. Again, do some research.

OP here. You make fair points, and I fully concede I need to brush up on some of those topics. But my DH is a former cop and currently works in border/Homeland security with a major contracting company, so the Fast and Furious thing was not really "insignificant" to me. In the grand scheme of the world... sure. But it wasn't something I brushed off easily. In fact, let me add another Obama concern to the list: his stance on illegal immigration. Could be biased because as I said, this is my DH's bread and butter, but we are very friendly with many border sheriffs in Texas/Arizona and I can probably be considered conservative on the issue. I have no problems with immigrants coming to America, but I think they should go through the proper channels, do it legally, get on the books, and pay their taxes like the rest of us. Border violence and illegal immigration concerns me, and Obama is pretty lax on it.

Actually, OP, Obama deported more illegal immigrants than Bush did. What's ironic is that even though he was in fact worse than Bush on deportations, a lot of people still thought he was soft on illegal immigration. He wasn't. He was worse than Bush. BTW, this was before his latest initiative on allowing a few young people to stay if they met the right criteria. If you're unhappy about that, well, that's your right. But if you think he wasn't deporting people, think again.