Greetings!

Hello everyone!

I am very excited to have joined this forum. I was looking for a place where people from all different political ideologies could discuss issues. I think dialogue is essential for a democracy to function effectively. I want to open myself up more to the viewpoints of others and not simply live in my own bubble.

Currently I am to the left of the political spectrum on both social and economic issues. The main thing is I want my stances on political issues to reflect my ideals. I believe in equity and respect for all persons. I want all Americans to have a place in society. Civil rights and democracy are very important to me.

CivilSeeker said:

Hello everyone!

I am very excited to have joined this forum. I was looking for a place where people from all different political ideologies could discuss issues. I think dialogue is essential for a democracy to function effectively. I want to open myself up more to the viewpoints of others and not simply live in my own bubble.

Currently I am to the left of the political spectrum on both social and economic issues. The main thing is I want my stances on political issues to reflect my ideals. I believe in equity and respect for all persons. I want all Americans to have a place in society. Civil rights and democracy are very important to me.

Click to expand...

Unfortunately, just by expressing your beliefs you have alienated about 30% of society and perhaps 10% of this forum community.....a very vocal 10%.

Welcome.

Welcome.

Only advise I will give you is, don't let anyone here goad you into incivility. And they WILL try. Just remember...we are all fat 30+ year olds living in our moms basement, lol.

CivilSeeker said:

Hello everyone!

I am very excited to have joined this forum. I was looking for a place where people from all different political ideologies could discuss issues. I think dialogue is essential for a democracy to function effectively. I want to open myself up more to the viewpoints of others and not simply live in my own bubble.

Currently I am to the left of the political spectrum on both social and economic issues. The main thing is I want my stances on political issues to reflect my ideals. I believe in equity and respect for all persons. I want all Americans to have a place in society. Civil rights and democracy are very important to me.

Click to expand...

Welcome. You might be happy here, but I might add that 5 or 6 US Presidents have been elected with less than the majority vote. The winner received less votes than the loser. So we're not exactly a democracy.
/

DaveFagan said:

....5 or 6 US Presidents have been elected with less than the majority vote. The winner received less votes than the loser. So we're not exactly a democracy.
/

Click to expand...

I suppose the United States is more of a democratic republic. We choose representatives rather than voting on all matters directly as there is just far too many people to run a direct democracy.

As for the presidential elections, it is true that the Electorial College was not set up to be in favor of the majority. The Framers did not really trust the people to choose a president and wanted who chose to be 'qualified.' It really is an outdated system. The winner-take-all aspect is particularly problemic.

I found a good article about the Electoral College.

"As the 2000 election reminded us, the Electoral College does make it possible for a candidate to win the popular vote and still not become president. But that is less a product of the Electoral College and more a product of the way states apportion electors. In every state but Maine and Nebraska, electors are awarded on a winner-take-all basis. So if a candidate wins a state by even a narrow margin, he or she wins all of the state’s electoral votes. The winner-take-all system is not federally mandated; states are free to allocate their electoral votes as they wish."

Welcome to DP!

Welcome aboard CivilSeeker eace