Early Voting

[Koronin]

I grew up in Ohio and this year is worse (from what I've heard) than any previous year for all the ads. I'm not convinced my vote means much either, and I live in a supposed swing state. I'm just not convinced NC is yet a swing state. I do believe it's headed that way, but I don't believe it's actually there yet.

[emily_in_nc]

One huge advantage of living in Belize! We voted absentee online (emailed in the scanned ballots), and the only ads we see are the few on the networks stations our satellite TV beams in. The stations are all in Mass. or NY, both uncontested states for the Presidency, so very few ads. No robocalls and no mail either.

[Koronin]

emily, that sounds wonderful. Should I even ask how expensive it is to live there?

[emily_in_nc]

emily, that sounds wonderful. Should I even ask how expensive it is to live there?

Sure, Koronin -- I wrote a blog post about that very thing: http://bebelize.weebly.com/1/category/budget/1.html

Costs are really all over the map and should only be one of several major considerations if you even have an inkling about moving to a foreign country, though.

The advice I give everyone now: visit before you move, rent before you buy property, and make sure the place you are considering is really a good fit for you long-term.

As I've mentioned on several other threads, we are planning to move back to the US next year. It's been a fun and interesting time here, and we have no regrets about giving it a try, but long-term, it's just not the place for us. Yes, it's warm year-round and beautiful, but there are drawbacks as well. Some are general things that would bother anyone (for example, crime), some are specific to us (for example, can't do road cycling!). Sometimes you don't even realize the things you'll miss and things you take for granted until you no longer have them.

Sorry for the thread hijack -- feel free to PM me if you have further questions!

[BikeDutchess]

Get out and vote! by DutchRosie, on Flickr

I voted early too, although living in the same state as Malkin, it almost seems futile. But I became a citizen a few years ago in part to be able to vote, so I'm going to exercise that right!

[TrekDianna]

No home phone, NEVER watch TV (I'm not even sure it works). We vote by mail here. I ignore all political ads. The only ones I see are the ones that are places along the roads. AFter the first few days, I tune them out and don't see them either. All of the crap is wasted on me.

[Bike Writer]

Voted absentee ballot. I don't pay attention to the ads, robo calls etc because those things tell me little about a candidate. My mind's been made up for a few months now and unfolding events over the last few months have only solifided my choice.

What really bothers me is the amount of money that is spent in national elections and by special interest groups to sway people. It's mind boggeling. I have no solution to that problem because of freedom of speech and the right to be able to be enterprising and raise funds to accomplish that. I sure wish someone had a viable alternative to the billions spent though.

[Owlie]

I don't have cable, so I've missed most of the ads. Since I live in Ohio, I'm pretty glad of that. Not that they do much beyond annoy me, anyway.

My absentee ballot's all filled in, in the envelope and sealed. I just have to drop it in the mailbox.

[luvmyguys]

Truth be known, I don't live in a battleground state, so the ads haven't been too bad. What I'll be looking forward to the end of is all the ranting and raving of otherwise sane people around me of all political stripes.

[OakLeaf]

For those who haven't seen this yet:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...&v=OjrthOPLAKM

[ZenBiker]

I voted early too, although living in the same state as Malkin, it almost seems futile. But I became a citizen a few years ago in part to be able to vote, so I'm going to exercise that right!

Yep, I'm in the same state/State.
Sometimes I wonder if I'll even bother to vote, but I always do (and thank you, BikeDuchess, for reminding me to appreciate it). I'm glad to have the early voting option here, and took advantage of it this week.