Vote!

[ciphergoth]

Remember the people who said that the Democrats and the Republicans were as bad as each other and it made no difference whether Al Gore or George W Bush won the election? I do, I was one of those people.

I understand if someone else is your first preference, but please put Ken Livingstone second. The bookies are now giving something like 4:1 odds against a Livingstone victory. I can't stand the thought that Britain is turning into the sort of place that elects celebrities instead of politicians - we've seen how that works out in the USA too.

(ps happy birthday lizw!)

Comments

[biog.livejournal.com]

Just to wish the best of luck for today's election. I'm really hoping you don't get saddled with Boris, good luck.

[robot-mel.livejournal.com]

First time ever voting for me today! silkyraven and I also got the proxy votes for indigo_violet and bootpunk to boost Ken's votes!

[devilgate.livejournal.com]

I couldn't agree more.

[lovingboth]

Gosh, that's a good value bet and one you can help influence.

I'm surprised - not least because it came seconds after seeing someone describe you as 'most frequently and incisively correct' - about the first paragraph though.

[ciphergoth.livejournal.com]

It's on www.betfair.com > Sports > Politics > UK > London Elections 2008 > Next Mayor

Current decimal odds are around 3.6 which is a little lower.

(if only someone would invent a way to directly pass on a particular page on a website...)

First para: I exaggerate a little for effect. I stayed up that night until Florida was called, then went to bed thinking "phew, at least the Democrats got in whatever their flaws" - and woke to a nasty shock that morning. But at the time it would have stuck in my throat to actually say "vote Democratic to keep the GOP out" which is something I'd say without hesitation now.

[ciphergoth.livejournal.com]

Current decimal odds against Ken winning are 18.5, so if you think he stands a chance then you can make yourself plenty of cash with a small stake.

:-(

http://politicalbetting.com/ reports that Paddy Power are already paying out on a Boris victory.

[pretentia.livejournal.com]

Well put sir!

[actionreplay.livejournal.com]

Happy birthday btw! Unfortunately, as a resident of Edinburgh and not Lewisham, I can't actually vote....

[lizw.livejournal.com]

Thanks, and happy birthday to you too! I was at Worcester Park last night, but shall be voting on my way to church this evening (it's Ascension Day - first time it's fallen on my birthday in my lifetime, I think) and will indeed put Livingstone second, although I shall have to grit my teeth quite hard.

[johncoxon.livejournal.com]

The 'Governator', as the Californian press affectionately refer to him, is pro-environment and has written a couple of articles for New Scientist on the subject, something that very few other governing politicians have done, which shows intelligence and capability, in my opinion. Ronald Reagan did a lot for his country in that his presidency played a major role in the end events of the Cold War - he has one of the highest approval ratings of any ex-President. So, to be honest, using the USA as an example to try and get people to vote against Boris is a bit of a weird thing to do, because it's not exactly been a crushing failure so far. I am sure there are counter-examples to both the examples I have provided, but my point isn't that it's always a good idea, it's that fame doesn't have to affect someone's ability or capacity in this sort of role.

[swiftangel.livejournal.com]

Happy birthday!

(Can't be too fussed about the voting, as I'm not allowed to play along...)

[biog.livejournal.com]

OK, I'm currently officially worried for all you Londoners now. I've been reading news reports that one bookie is already paying out to customers who bet on tit-head Boris winning the mayoral election. Still, wishing you all good luck that he doesn't do so.