background: recently I stayed over at Jesse’s apt in Hartford. Holy Cross Alicia’s cat was there. the cat spent most of the night curled up with me on the couch.
Holy Cross Alicia: It’s frustrating sometimes because Mike’s exactly the kind of person who should be voting, you know?
Alicia’s Mom: Have Ellie Mae [the cat] talk to him.
Holy Cross Alicia: (raised eyebrow)
Alicia’s Mom: She slept with him, maybe he’ll listen to her.
are you seriously not voting? don’t be a freaking dork.
With all this talk about whether or not your voting, i’m confused Mike, I thought you were a resident of Connecticut these days? You might find it more convenient to vote in Connecticut rather than Mass.
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0781452.html
There’s no residency duration requirement apparently in the CT so you can if you want.
Hey Mike – you may be interested to know that research supports your idea that your vote doesn’t count. It’s a rational point of view. I have an article I’ll email you about it.
Love,
T
Actually, I do reside in CT these days. I’m keeping MA as my residency officially though until I get a more permanent place to stay. This is so I can avoid the higher insurance on the car for a few more precious months. So any voting would be under a MA ticket.
As for the voting, I very well may vote. But I think it’s the stupidest thing I could ever do. It does NOT make a difference and has NO impact on society. I think it would be great if less than 100 people voted, because then, perhaps something would change to make the voting process better.
mike d’s suggestions:
mandatory voting
tax break with vote
fee with no vote
all work places must give a day off with proof of vote
free roll of stamps when you vote
supermodels running the polls
If there was some personal benefit to voting besides ‘fulfilling your civic duty’ which I don’t completely agree with, perhaps more people would go to the polls. Wouldn’t you be happier if upon dropping your vote into the box Heidi Klum handed you a free tasty cinnamon bun fresh out of the government ovens?
P.E. Meehl writes: “My rough calculations indicate that my chances of determining who becomes President are about of the same order of magnitude as my chances of being killed driving to the polls – hardly a profitable venture.” American Political Science Review, 71, 11-30 (1977)
(courtesy of Theresa)
It makes me rather sad that you are less than enamoured with the voting process. It’s true that, especially in Massachusetts, one singular vote does not make much of an impact. That is not the point. The point is that you HAVE an opinion and you are believe in this opinion enough to make a permanent record of your choice. You might vote 50 years in a row with not a single one of those votes “making a difference.” But at least you will have shown that you have had thoughts and convictions of your own. Have an opinion and make it known.
I think you need to ask your fellow ‘toolers but my research shows the following:
Massachusetts
Employees must be allowed time off during the first 2 hours after the polls have opened. Employee must apply for leave. Not specified if employer can choose hours. Fine up to $500 if employer does not comply.
Now, from my readin’ it says that CT does not have such a rule in place.
http://tinyurl.com/5oe89
Wow jonabad. You will never cease to amaze me with the breadth of your knowledge regarding all things internet. The only other person who might be able to keep up with you is my 2nd year WPI roommate: Paul Novello. I’m considering getting you guys to go head to head in an info search.
I will actually end up doing an absentee vote when the time comes, that way I can take my time and not have to deal with going specifically on election day but I am very impressed with your search. bravo. Now, if you can use the internet to get me a free Cinnamon bun… well… I think I’d marry you.