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RE: Election Day

Thanks for sharing a bit of the midterms (is that what it's called?) in your state, because when I watch the news online it's not as detailed because it's more focused on the "grander" story.

It would be nice to vote on decisions like sidewalks though. Legislature about those issues are voted on by the members in the National Assembly, of which the members are voted by the people of their respective districts. So we vote on people who "represent" us, but this doesn't always seem to work and doesn't always benefit the majority.

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Yeah, it's the midterms. I like how my state does elections, we can get things like the sidewalk proposal because citizens can make a petition to put something on the ballot and if they get enough signatures, then we all get to vote on it.
Honestly, the "grander" election stories about president/senators/congress, I feel like our votes are as effective as thoughts and prayers, but in the local things I think they count, at least a lot better than in the national things.

..., we can get things like the sidewalk proposal because citizens can make a petition to put something on the ballot and if they get enough signatures, then we all get to vote on it.

Ah, that's how it works in the US or at least your state. Whenever we submit petitions, we hand it over to the Assembly, who will in turn need to put it on the agenda in parliament and that's where it will be voted upon or used for possible legislature. But not like the people or citizens get to vote on the decision themselves.

Honestly, the "grander" election stories about president/senators/congress, I feel like our votes are as effective as thoughts and prayers, but in the local things I think they count, at least a lot better than in the national things.

You're the second US citizen who has told me that "in person" and have indeed heard some informative programs discuss this. The other person wasn't sure to vote for the offices to be filled, but would contemplate voting for laws and proposals.

Yeah most politicians care only about the rich people who fund their campaigns. There is a lot of corruption but it's all hidden as "campaign contributions" and "lobbying". A lot of bills are named the opposite of what they do so people think "that sounds good" but it does something completely different than what you'd think. They tack on things to bills that have nothing to do with the main part, so like, if it's a bill that is supposed to be something a lot of people like they'll attach something that would never pass on its own because everyone would hate it. It's so messed up.
I mostly continue to vote because of all the local issues. The national government doesn't give a poop about regular people.

A lot of bills are named the opposite of what they do so people think "that sounds good" but it does something completely different than what you'd think.

Ah, had no idea that was also happening, but why am I surprised? I mean, I keep telling people to read between the lines and hope I'll remember that every time myself.