I posted a while back about how I hate the projections that the various news outlets do.
Tonight not only confirmed my hatred, but also my apathy towards the system in general.
Many states were being projected the moment the polls closed. The news outlets were just waiting for the clock to run out so they could call the winner. And in pretty much every case in the history of journalism (with the exception of Florida in 2000) they’ve been correct.
When you know who won a state the moment the polls close, it’s hard not to think the whole system was bought, sold and decided a long time ago.
Seriously, when those paying attention can say, “Not a vote has been counted, but we all know who’s winning this one” then I’m more convinced than ever that the systems of election are just a formality.
Hell, if you’ve been watching this race the last few weeks is anything that happened tonight surprising in any way?
—
On the bright side, at least the Democrats were smart enough to not let Hillary anywhere near this thing…and an Obama win blocks her out for 2012 too.
—
And just for Jeff (smile), I found it interesting that CNN discussed quite a bit about the Generational aspect of this election with Gen Y really coming out and voting and how Obama was a part of Gen Jones and falling between the Boomers and Gen X and a general changing of times. I do believe Gen Y made this happen for Obama – they’re the new Boomers ( actually rreferred to often as Echo Boomers – and now I ‘get’ it). Those of us inbetween are destined to be adapters – we had to play into the Boomers society and in the future (starting now really) we have a generation with the numbers to influence everything and we’ll be playing into the society they create in the next decades.
I think that way because I don’t feel I really identify with either. The Boomers were our stodgy parents & authority figures and the Gen Y Trophy Kids (as I’ve said) feels a lot like a spoiled generation to me.
I dunno, just a side thought that kinda flowed as I typed.
Actually, I think CNN may be wrong. ABC said that exit polls showing the young vote was actually down slightly. That boggles the mind that it could be possible.
I’m not sure how you extrapolate that polling prior to voting means anything was “bought and sold.” The only thing I get is that the polling is scientific enough to reflect how people actually vote. I’m not sure how that reduces the validity of the election either.
Creative language. :)
The point is, those projections and polls made a month ago were correct. This election was over before it began. We all knew Obama was running away with it.
I still insist my vote would have been meaningless.
That’s not exactly true. Polls are only accurate if there aren’t significant changes to the variables in the interim. Polls predicted Clinton would win the nomination too, nearly a year before the convention, and it didn’t work out that way.
I still don’t understand why it matters.
It matters because I see it as further proof that my vote (or lack thereof) is irrelevant in the bigger picture.
We knew what was going to happen a month ago. There were absolutely no surprises as the results trickled in last night.
But you’re one of the variables, and if everyone thought like you, then in aggregate the result changes. Do you have self-esteem issues? Because you keep saying you don’t matter. :)
No. I have efficiency issues. I don’t do things that are a waste of time.
Don’t try to turn it into some inadequacy on my part. I’m not saying I don’t matter, I’m saying voting (specifically any person’s single vote) doesn’t.
If anything I have superiority issues. I look down at those fooled into thinking they matter more than they do. I think I’m clearly above the idea.
As yes, I get it. Power in numbers. We the people. The aggregate is what matters and there’s no aggregate if everyone thinks like me.
That’s where I go full circle and say, “But everyone doesn’t think like me.”
I choose not to be part of the aggregate. In fact, I choose to be part of the aggregate that chooses not to be part of the aggregate.
You’ll only ever see it in the context of a single vote, so I suppose there’s no convincing you otherwise.
And you do the podcast, which is certainly a waste of time. If not ours, others’. :)
“If anything I have superiority issues. I look down at those fooled into thinking they matter more than they do. I think I’m clearly above the idea.”
Wow. That also means you think you have the ability to ascertain how much others matter. That’s awfully bold of you.
Carrie – I told you…superiority complex.
Jeff – I enjoy the podcast. If I enjoyed the process of voting, I’d do it too for no other reason than pleasure.