wisconsingirl52:: I also questioned the poll workers about not asking me for an ID and was given that same lame excuse. Its no wonder that people claim voter fraud! People are asked for an ID hundreds of times per year (mostly when cashing checks etc). Getting asked for an ID once a year to prove who is actually casting a vote in your name is not a big deal.

I had my drivers license out while waiting in line to vote. I was disappointed they didn't want to see it . . . their reason? - because I was already registered. That's great that their records are straight, but it still doesn't prove that I am the person I told them I was. Before I was given my ballot, they covered up my name and address on their voter listing and asked me for my address - I suppose as a test? That's definitely the kind of information only I would know. It's a joke!

interesting about the ID thing. I had mine out ready to go and they didn't ask for it.

I would like to see the Gazette start of poll to find out if voters believe they had their identification sufficiently checked before they were given a ballot. Many people I talked to today were not asked for ANY kind of ID.

Public Schools are far from socialistic. Technically yes, they are suppose to be equal but they ARE NOT!

Again, in NY you can make double in the suburban rich district vs. the poor city district. THAT IS NOT SOCIALISTIC!

Public education should be, there should be no such thing as a rich vs. poor district. Technology, upgrades, updated textbooks should be part of EVERY CHILD'S EDUCATION. Currently they ARE NOT!

Wake up, Read The Shame of the Nation by Jonathan Kozol. We should all be sadened by how unequal our education system still is.

You people do know that we have many socialist programs already in place, such as police and fire, the defense departmet, the highway system, public schools just to name a few, are indeed socialist programs.

totellthetruth and others...
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I've noticed in some posts that Senator Obama's middle name is brought up to insinuate that he's either a terrorist or has some relation to the former dictator in Iraq. Do you, by chance, without looking it up, know what John McCain's middle name is, or Sara Palin's, or Joe Biden's for that matter? C'mon, do you really think people buy the Michael Savage rhetoric that because Barack Obama's middle name is Hussein he's a Muslim (who cares) or a terrorist? Bring up real issues, like Sen. Obama's tax policy or his plan for troop withdrawal in Iraq (they want us gone by 2011). Don't try to scare uninformed voters by dropping a middle name that has been handed down through generations (his father was born before Sadam).
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By the way, John Sidney McCain, Sara Louise Heath Palin, and Joe Robinette Biden, Jr.

The reality is that Barack Huseein Obama is no good for our nation or the world.
Thank God it's almost over for him. It had to be a long, long campaign for a man his lack of ability.

It was a long campaign for each of the candidates.

The reality is that John McCain is no good for our nation or the world.
Thank God it's almost over for him. It had to be a long, long campaign for a man his age.

Tom Just in case you're confused, this is a USA Presidential election and we should all vote for the candidate we believe is the best for this country. We should all be intelligent enough to look past the rhetoric and the campaign promises and vote for who we think will actually deliver what is best for the country, not what we are promised during the campaign. Beware of the words: "I put forth a plan......". Anyone can say they put forth a plan but ask yourself "where has this plan been put forth? When? Is it a piece of legislation? Which House is voting on it? Where can I read this bill? If none of these questions can be answered with proof that it has been submitted to the House or Senate, then it is only a pipe dream and just a campaign promise, an idea to throw out to the people, to gain the White House...in reality, it hasn't been put forth anywhere.

Tom drink more kool-aid you dolt.

Absentee balloting can only occur in the munincipality that you live in. I waited in line for 2 hours only to find out that you can"t vote by absentee ballot in the city when you live in the township. I wish they had a sign out front to let me and all the other people that left without voting know that ahead of time. 2 hours we wont get back! Had my daughter too, (first time voter) frustrated is all I can say.

I believe Wisconsin law gives every worker the right to take up to 3 hours off to vote. However, the employer gets to pick the time you can leave and does not have to pay your wages during this time. GM certainly does NOT need to take off the whole day.

I am sure UAW members will be out in force Tuesday, along with their foreign car friends from Madison, to urge us to vote for Obama. Think a minute about them. Can you believe a company in trouble would continue to negotiate a day off on election day? Who else gets the day off? It doesn't take much to understand why GM is going down the tubes. The UAW continues to snub other workers - for now! They have sealed their fate.

Forget about voting for the candidates that YOU like. That's not important. Vote for the candidate that the rest of the world will feel comfortable, confident & safe. We share this planet with hundreds of other nations. If they feel threatened, they will CONTINUE to hold America in distain, continue to hate Americans, & continue to threaten us in return. We need to elect someone that the rest of the world respects, not someone with an "UP YOURS', "IN YOUR FACE ATTITUDE'. like our current officials.

jendood, you certainly are not alone in your frustration. In addition to http://www.factcheck.org/ already suggested by w8nc, here are a few others:
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http://votesmart.org/ Say they are "...built by thousands of Conservatives and Liberals sickened by the manipulative tactics of modern candidates." Voting records, statements and financial information on any candidate.
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http://www.realclearpolitics.com/ Articles, opinion and information. They also have an interactive graphic tracking poll that averages all of the major polls.
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http://www.economist.com/ On-line version of the 150 year old magazine with a record of critical analysis and non-partisan endorsements.
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http://reason.com/ On-line version of the 40 year old magazine. Articles, analysis and humor from a libertarian-leaning perspective.

They are socialistic. But, they had to do something. The republicans tried warning of the crisis two years ago but Barney Frank and company covered it up. Check out this link. And we want these people running our country?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MGT_cSi7...

W*NC - Thanks for the info - I'll add that to the list of things I want to check out. I've also gotten recommendations for checking Rockthevote.com and Wikipedia.com, and I plan to watch the debates on Youtube, which I have not yet had time to do.
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LAKEKENNEDY - I admit, I kinda let time get away from me. It all started so early that I was overwhelmed, and now it's really getting down to the wire! I do plan on spending some time looking through and researching over the weekend. =]

I'm curious rsjeff01, what is your take on all of the banking deals and economic bailouts that are taking place under a Republican Administration? Some people are arguing that these concepts too are socialistic.

A capitalist economy like ours has ups and downs over time. No one is complaining when things are good. They just spend the money and always expect that they will have a job. Then when the economy takes a down turn and people lose their jobs they start crying that capitalism does not work. Just keep in mind, this too shall pass.
I will not be voting for the "Carl Marx" candidate with the radical redistribution of wealth plan. If you would like socialism, then please pack your bags and leave.
If you actually respect our history and who we are as a society then don't vote for the "Carl Marx" candidate. As JFK said himself, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country".
Not, "to each according to his need, from each according to his ability". THIS IS THE BASIS OF SOCIALISM, NOT AN ECONOMIC PLAN........God help us!

I cannot believe that there are still people out there that don't know who to vote for. Where have you been? You're sick of the negative campaigning? Too bad. American political history is full of campaigns far worse than this one. I think that one of the main reasons political advertisements tend to be negative is because Americans are much more likely to get involved in the political process when something is at stake. Instead of voting for a "good", Americans tend to vote against a "bad". Avoiding what you deem to be a possible negative result is what fuels you to vote.
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Seriously, if you're still undecided you need to get going. There are only four more days until the polls open. Be there.

jendood --- try www.factcheck.org
I like that their website seems to be non-biased and offers information (good & bad) about both sides without adding opinions. May be some other people will have suggestions for you too. Good luck picking someone to vote for!

Sorry thekai.

OPTIMISM - *TOTALLY* agreed! I have yet to make a decision, and am sick of just the twisted, biased bashing. What I wish I could find is an HONEST place to get my information. I see things that I do and don't like from both candidates. If I can't find some information I trust in the next 5 days, I'm afraid I just might not vote. =[

lynda,
It's clear that you don't see what my views really are. If you were to re-read my post, you would see that I strongly -disagree- with Polert.

Polert...Where do you get this nonsense about Obama? U.S. troops in Africa? George H. Bush sent our troops to Somolia, which is in Africa, and you think what about him? And to NewEagleWings, take your wings and fly! I don't know what country you live in, but this is Janesville, WI U.S.A. where every vote COUNTS! "If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem."

National security is important to me.

polert and thekai: I have an idea. Why don't you both move to Africa and wait to see what happens. You two can report to us from there.
We will all be waiting with baited breath.

I vote in all the elections!!!!

Apparently someone didn't get the sarcasm in my last post. Allow me to post again, leaving blank some words... if you compare this post with Polert's, you should be able to fill in the blanks just fine.
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Polert,
That's because _____ is a Muslim and he's anti-American. His true heart stays in ______. He wants to help the people he really loves, and he's going to use America's money to do it!
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Every election year everyone should be motivated to vote. This election is no different for me, relative to this poll topic anyways.
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Personally, I don't see how that sarcasm is not okay, when all it does is spell out what Polert is suggesting, yet Polert's posts are just fine. Either way, I edited it so that no one would be left in the dark.

I'm amazed at how many people vote a particular way, but have no idea why if you ask them. I tend to think that unless you know why you're voting for someone, then stay the heck home. For example, nobody should be voting based on how many yard signs or commercials a candidate has, yet politicians spends multi millions in them both. Are people really that stupid?

A PERSON SHOULD ONLY VOTE if they are educated on the canidates. NEVER mindlessly mark a box! Economy crisis or not. Please!

Why vote when the "Electoral College" picks the President, not the candidate the People pick.

Obama is taking American troops, tax dollar, and Peace Corp into Africa this summer.

It's funny how America, the world's shining example of democracy, has one of the lowest voter turnouts of the modernized world...
Number 139, globally, according to www.idea.int

actually, I don't find that so funny at all.

Well said justsome1here! Voting should be taken seriously every election and the state of the economy should not dictate whether you vote or not. Vote in good times for someone you think will be able to keep things together in bad times.

I agree justsome1here. You shouldn't need an "incentive" to exercise your right to vote.
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MooShoo, I hope you don't think the government is entirely at fault for the poor economy and I hope you (and others) are not basing their candidate choice on that alone!
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I believe the current economic meltdown is largely due to corporate greed. Pure and simple. When CEO's are commanding salaries and perks in the millions, THAT is a problem! Not to mention the corruption.
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Remember Worldcom, Enron, Tyco? The plethora of current "biggies" that have fallen on their face -- all the way to the bank is staggering. Lest we not forget the oil companies.
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Just my two cents.

It is sad to think that people in this country need to have an "incentive" in order to vote. Having the privilege to vote should be enough incentive in itself.

You bet its an incentive. GM is in trouble for a number of things, some of which are their own doing. However, having a stable full of SUVs when gas shot sky high was the main problem. Our current administration did not help by waiting too long to recognize we are in a credit crisis. Now that there is limited credit, who can even think about buying a car.

Note that if you are a ligh roller with a bunch of houses, you can get cheap equity credit while the little guy pays far more for a car loan. Look at the bank Credit Card rates and then take a look at where this bailout money is going. You bet its important to vote this time to get a whole new cabinet and give the Washington moving van guys some work.

If 71% of you are given incentive to vote because of the economic climate you should vote for someone who has proven he can make change and has proven he can never be bought off. Ralph Nader. go to http://www.votenader.org to find out what issues he stands for. One of them is to bring the living wage up to $10 minimum. What can McCain or Obama say about that (by the way they both voted for the Wall St Bailout and Nader strongly opposed it, as did many hard working americans)

What baffles me is modern Americans actually think their vote is founded on truth they believe has been shared by the people running; that what the people propose is actually something they plan on doing instead of political strategy to as they say win votes. There is no integrity in politics anymore, and your vote ... though it should matter, does not matter at all. Ask your self in this disposable world of people buying their way into office, and of no honor for our country, flag or how decisions are made, of congress not on their faces praying as they did in the olden days when a man's handshake was honored, ask yourself this. What is truth in a society of anything goes. When a farmer is not free to bring his extra produce to donate it because the city is designating it to Echo, and when our local government is persuaded to make decisions based on who has the money, why do you think your vote will matter when either candidate has been maligned by the other, and neither of them will change what is coming in our country because of the lack of leadership in the past forty years.
Oh we vote because after all many died to give us the right to vote. Women wanted to vote and that was the beginning of much of the power to the whatevers we have in todays anything goes society, but your vote?? today??? It will not make any difference in what is about to take place in government, in our country, and in our states, and in our county, and in our world. It is too late to change any of it.

I love how someone thinks the only reason GM is closing is because of gas prices. May be if GM would have been thinking about fuel efficiency years ago, it wouldn't have come to this. Once again, proactive vs. reactive. And don't tell me that fuel efficiency wasn't an issue years ago. I distinctly remember writing a letter to one of our US Congressman about 8 years ago urging him to evaluate fuel efficiency standards and get companies to meet them. My response from this US Congressman... nothing.

FreedomSpeaks - Can you provide some detail on which republican said that workers are only worth $17-$30K?

It should be an be incentive for you to vote plus the two wars our troops are in. Maybe a third war coming soon. Health care has been talked about in every election for the last twenty years maybe this time it will happen. Gas prices has cause our local G.M. plant to close while the white house fattens oil companies. People's wages have went down while costs continue to rise. I heard a republican say the other day that workers are only worth $17,000 - $30,000 a year. Are you worth only that amount?

Your pocket book will be lighter, and Shoca Zula's Family in Africa will be living high on the hog.

eww. Bad way to vote. If you vote for your pocketbook, you may find out that no candidate really has control over the financial situation. Both sides plans lack reasonable thought. Tax the rich and give it to the poor or tax everyone. Better reasons to vote than the economy....

Hmm...let me think about this for just a moment. My house is worth less than I paid for it a year ago, my retirement portfolio lost 50% of its value, I am not sure my bank is safe, and I am absolutely sure my job isn't safe. Next question please.

This is the kind of things makes me go to the polls. I look at the big picture. ExamplAs I was watching Obama's speech from Manchester PA. I heard Obama say this morning Quote Obama we will have to improve America's standing in the world, and that means spending some money in the world. It will not be clear to everyone so you will have to remind people that we are spending 10 billion dollars a day in Iraq already. Obama is getting ready, and prepping everyone for our military being in Africa I believe. I believe he is using a method psychologist call conditioning the massese

This election is no different than any other in my opinion. Each time we vote, we are chosing candidates that could "make or break" our economy. May be people should think about the people they are electing as they are electing them, not after our economy declines. Proactive, not reactive, is probably a better policy for this country.

This election, not only Presidential but house and state senate races, could make or break our economy. Please take a look at each candidates plans for the future of our economy before casting your vote. It's better to be informed than to complain when something in a candidates policy goes into effect that you didn't know about because you didn't look at their policy.