so who voted? Duggan and Napoleon Win Detroit Mayoral Primary

[downtownguy]

Media just reported that only 17% of the population will vote today at the rate it's going now. What a shame. You want change, you need change, you demand better...but you don't participate. What's wrong with people? Things in Detroit won't just change without change in the administration [[even with Orr at the helm today). Orr will leave and someone will have to take over. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if Duegon gets more votes than many of the candidates who are qualified. The "I don't care" attitude is alive and well in Detroit.

Yep, just blame Detroiters for everything. And let the media reinforce your opinions without looking for perspective.

Off year elections, elections for local officials, and primaries almost universally suffer from low voter turnout.

From fairvote.org:

Low turnout is most pronounced in off-year elections for state legislators and local officials as well as primaries. In many cities, for example, mayors of major cities often are elected with single-digit turnout ; for example, turnout was only 5 percent of registered voters in a recent Dallas mayoral election, 6 percent in Charlotte, and 7 percent in Austin.

Just check out that "I don't care" attitude in Charlotte and Austin! Those dumps! And that was for the general election, not the primary. But it's so much easier to blame all Detroiters, isn't it? Even if Detroit shares many of the same societal problems that exist throughout our country.

BTW, I was voter # 139 at my precinct when I voted at 10:30am.

[bailey]

Yep, just blame Detroiters for everything. And let the media reinforce your opinions without looking for perspective.

Off year elections, elections for local officials, and primaries almost universally suffer from low voter turnout.
...
Just check out that "I don't care" attitude in Charlotte and Austin! Those dumps! And that was for the general election, not the primary. But it's so much easier to blame all Detroiters, isn't it? Even if Detroit shares many of the same societal problems that exist throughout our country.

While I don't disagree generally.... don't you sort of think THIS particular primary should be viewed as a little more important than just any old off year election primary? I don't recall any off-year primary being discussed, debated or covered like this one.

[downtownguy]

While I don't disagree generally.... don't you sort of think THIS particular primary should be viewed as a little more important than just any old off year election primary? I don't recall any off-year primary being discussed, debated or covered like this one.

And I don't disagree with you, Bailey. The fact is voter participation of all Americans frustrates me to no end. Some of it has to do with roadblocks endemic in the voting process. Why do we hold elections on what is usually a workday for most people? Why not hold them on weekends? Why just one day? Why not over two days, or more?

But more to the point is my frustration that Detroiters and/or Detroit voters are often used as the whipping boy by the media, the peanut gallery, and in this particular instance by cla1945.

[Det_ard]

And I don't disagree with you, Bailey. The fact is voter participation of all Americans frustrates me to no end. Some of it has to do with roadblocks endemic in the voting process. Why do we hold elections on what is usually a workday for most people? Why not hold them on weekends? Why just one day? Why not over two days, or more?

Anyone who's truly motivated to vote will find a way. Absentee is a viable option if one's schedule is an issue. I question whether we really want unmotivated and unengaged voters.

But more to the point is my frustration that Detroiters and/or Detroit voters are often used as the whipping boy by the media, the peanut gallery, and in this particular instance by cla1945.

Well, given the parade of clowns elected in Detroit by Detroiters can you really blame them? Pugh, Conyers, Reeves, Bates, Kilpatrick, Watson, BRC, Reverend Murray, etc.. I know the choices aren't always that great, but the electoral decision making of a large number of Detroiters understandably brings ridicule upon the city.

[Johnnny5]

I question whether we really want unmotivated and unengaged voters..

^^^^ Yeah that! I never did understand the push to get everyone [[No matter how uninformed they may be) to the polls. Of course we should all have our say in a democracy, but I think we end up with a better results when those casting their ballots are making informed choices and not just filling in circles next to the names that they recognize.

[antongast]

Well, given the parade of clowns elected in Detroit by Detroiters can you really blame them? Pugh, Conyers, Reeves, Bates, Kilpatrick, Watson, BRC, Reverend Murray, etc.. I know the choices aren't always that great, but the electoral decision making of a large number of Detroiters understandably brings ridicule upon the city.

Yeah, and the mayor of Toronto smokes crack, the mayor of San Diego sexually harasses any woman who comes within a hundred feet of him, one of Wisconsin's US Senators thinks global warming is caused by sunspots, the governor of Virginia took millions in bribes from a quack peddler of snake-oil pharmaceuticals, and let's not forget the mayor of Troy [[elected in Troy by...Troy-ites? Trojans?) who tried to turn down free money to build a transit center because something something Obama, and ended up accepting a reduced amount of free money in exchange for a somewhat crappier transit center.

[jt1]

Yeah, and the mayor of Toronto smokes crack, the mayor of San Diego sexually harasses any woman who comes within a hundred feet of him, one of Wisconsin's US Senators thinks global warming is caused by sunspots, the governor of Virginia took millions in bribes from a quack peddler of snake-oil pharmaceuticals, and let's not forget the mayor of Troy [[elected in Troy by...Troy-ites? Trojans?) who tried to turn down free money to build a transit center because something something Obama, and ended up accepting a reduced amount of free money in exchange for a somewhat crappier transit center.

Don't forget that there was only about a 15-20% turnout in troy when there was a question about booting the crazy Mayor out of office.

[313WX]

Yep, just blame Detroiters for everything. And let the media reinforce your opinions without looking for perspective.

Off year elections, elections for local officials, and primaries almost universally suffer from low voter turnout.

From fairvote.org:



Just check out that "I don't care" attitude in Charlotte and Austin! Those dumps! And that was for the general election, not the primary. But it's so much easier to blame all Detroiters, isn't it? Even if Detroit shares many of the same societal problems that exist throughout our country.

BTW, I was voter # 139 at my precinct when I voted at 10:30am.

^^^Post of the year.

[Crumbled_pavement]

Just check out that "I don't care" attitude in Charlotte and Austin! Those dumps! And that was for the general election, not the primary. But it's so much easier to blame all Detroiters, isn't it? Even if Detroit shares many of the same societal problems that exist throughout our country.

This post is too intelligent for this site.

^^^Post of the year.

But it doesn't belong here. Too much thought was put into it.

[cla1945]

Yep, just blame Detroiters for everything. And let the media reinforce your opinions without looking for perspective.

Off year elections, elections for local officials, and primaries almost universally suffer from low voter turnout.
.

I am blaming Detroiters for this particular problem with the no shows. Who else would you refer to when you speak of an election that is voting for the Mayor of Detroit...Lapeer voters?

This particular election has been written about, been on television, been discussed at the churches, on the corners and in the barbershop...it's a very important election for Detroit.

There has been some hairbrained things that have happened and I would guess that many people do have an "I don't care" attitude. Believe me, I wish it were different...we'll see what kind of turnout there was after it's over.

Whatever happens in Detroit has an impact on myself and 20,000 other people as well. I have a hard time understanding why people choose to disrespect the messenger and smooth over a lackadaisical disinterest in what happens in their hometown.

[jt1]

Whatever happens in Detroit has an impact on myself and 20,000 other people as well.

Will you care so much when bankruptcy is over and the fate of your pension is decided? Your posting history makes it clear that your concern has nothing to do with the residents and the state of the city, it is just your pension that is driving you to give a damn.

[cla1945]

Will you care so much when bankruptcy is over and the fate of your pension is decided? Your posting history makes it clear that your concern has nothing to do with the residents and the state of the city, it is just your pension that is driving you to give a damn.

Yes, I will care, just as much after bankruptcy [[if it happens) and the fate of my pension is decided [[probably more than some Detroiters).

Detroit was my home for 50 of my near 70 years of life, so I call it my hometown to anyone who asks. 30 of those 50 years were spent working for Detroit in the DFD. I had a high school education [[not 8th grade as Orr so aptly put it), when I began my career. When I say "I", remember, I am not only speaking for myself, but for others who did the same thing I did.

I signed paperwork when I began my career stating that I would live in the City for the entire time I worked for Detroit, and I did just that. I stayed, despite no decent services, faulty equipment, poor living conditions, sub-standard schools, high taxes, and crime through the roof.

I went to work for the City because it offered a stable job with little pay though, unlike private industry or even the auto industry. No layoffs, a health plan, and a chance to move up in the ranks; and it offered a retirement pension and health care as part of the package. The pension is a huge concern of mine and all of the other dedicated employees who are now at risk of losing it because of bad management and corrupt politicians. Yes, my pension is driving me to fight with every breath I have left. Fortunately for me, I scrimped and saved and maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to live another 10 years or so and pay my bills. Unlike some other retirees who get a very small pension amount and a limited health care plan.

Your badgering me about my pension only inflames me more because you and many others have no concept of what we did, what was promised, and contractural agreements that are now in question. As I said before, I am too old to do anything else and I certainly can't strap on 80 lbs. of equipment and run into places that you have never dreamed of...that's what I and others did for Detroit, so, yes, Detroit owes us this. Sell the art, sell Belle Isle, lease it, I don't give two shits, but to take away what we all worked so hard for is incomprehensible.

[jt1]

I signed paperwork when I began my career stating that I would live in the City for the entire time I worked for Detroit, and I did just that. I stayed, despite no decent services, faulty equipment, poor living conditions, sub-standard schools, high taxes, and crime through the roof.

So you are clearly fine that the current 700,000 people see as bad or worse conditions that you 'endured' to keep your job.

I went to work for the City because it offered a stable job with little pay though, unlike private industry or even the auto industry. No layoffs, a health plan, and a chance to move up in the ranks; and it offered a retirement pension and health care as part of the package. The pension is a huge concern of mine and all of the other dedicated employees who are now at risk of losing it because of bad management and corrupt politicians. Yes, my pension is driving me to fight with every breath I have left. Fortunately for me, I scrimped and saved and maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to live another 10 years or so and pay my bills. Unlike some other retirees who get a very small pension amount and a limited health care plan.

So the reality of the situation [[largely brought on during your 50 years here) should be absorbed by everyone except you. Residents, current employees, everyone else that was promised something should take a hit as long as you don't. Got it. Next time, just admit that you expect others to give everything up but you don't expect to lose a thing.

I'm glad you scrimped and saved because anyone with anything beyond an 8th grade education would have clearly seen that the pension system is not sustainable. Based on the 1945 and the 50 years you mention, you left the city in 1995. If anyone at that point didn't see this coming was blind or naive. It;s unfortunate that you spent 50 years in a city, saw population, tax and services decline to the point it did and still thought that your pension and healthcare was untouchable. I may have a deal to ensure your retirement is stable. Are you interested in buying a bridge?

Your badgering me about my pension only inflames me more because you and many others have no concept of what we did, what was promised, and contractural agreements that are now in question.

Quite an assumption about what I do or do not have a concept of.

As I said before, I am too old to do anything else and I certainly can't strap on 80 lbs. of equipment and run into places that you have never dreamed of...that's what I and others did for Detroit, so, yes, Detroit owes us this.

Detroit owes you but everyone else should take a hit. I'm pretty sure there is a term for that. It's called selfish.

Sell the art, sell Belle Isle, lease it, I don't give two shits, but to take away what we all worked so hard for is incomprehensible.

Paraphrased: take away from everyone else but don't touch me. Or, a little less elegant, 'fuck you, I want mine"