The way we vote

[alyantis]

The gay marriage debate has spawned another entry, especially about how we vote, and how we should vote

Comments

[wyndreed]

I think if someone thinks you're crazy for thinking about life and trying to promote intellectualism, they're an ignorant prick.

[deynar]

Most people will say they vote based on their principles.
Most people actually vote based on what they want for themselves.

Good ideas, and it's a question that, in the end, every voters has to face. For myself, it's not just a conflict between want I want and what is right; it's a conflict between what is right ethically, what is right politically and what I want. I've spent hours pondering it.

[consulsicilae]

Have you considered that what is 'right' could be defined as what you want?

"People specifically have targeted bush for being a violation of church and state, but if that's where his morals came from, he has the right to pass laws based on that."
No.

He's not supposed to pass laws based on what he thinks; he's supposed to pass laws based on what the American public thinks.

[alyantis]

No, he was elected because of what he thinks, thus he should pass laws based on what he thinks.

[deynar]

Alyantis is right. He was elected because the American populace likes what he thinks; and therefore he should run according to what he believes is right.

General opinion doesn't make right right or wrong wrong.

[consulsicilae]

I disagree. I don't see the case for being elected giving one any kind of open-ended mandate or carte blanche; you're supposed to represent the people, not execute some kind of patriarchal function.

[deynar]

The people should elect the candidate who best represents their opinions, yes. That does not mean that a candidate, once elected, should bow to majority opinion in the face of what s/he belives wrong. If the populace doesn't like it; elect someone else next time.

Although debating this with you is a little pointless; as you don't have the same views of morality and ethics that I do.

[consulsicilae]

It has nothing to do with morality; it is a question of whether an elected official can - not 'should' - exercise this kind of patriarchal authority. Of course, since popular opinion is the only way of enforcing such a restriction, it's kind of pointless anyway, yes.

[deynar]

Uh... yes. Of course he can. He can do anything he wishes with his power, once elected. Hell, once elected you can switch political parties; if you want.

[alyantis]

He was elected becuase of his ideas, thus when he exercises his ideas he is representing the populace that elected him.

[deynar]

Right. I think what Pho is saying is that he is elected to represent the people; while we see him as being elected for who he is and what he believes.

If he is elected solely to represent the mass populace; what is the point of political parties?