Election 2002 - Right around the corner...

ELECTION 2002 ^ | FR post 4-19-02 | Editorial Staff

[vannrox]

Right around the corner...

Only 200 days left until the election.

36 Governors, 34 Senate seats, and all 435 House seats are up for grabs. The table below shows the party affiliation of the politicians whose terms do not expire this year.

November 5, 2002 Midterm Election (undetermined = to be elected)

Governors
Democrats		10
Republicans		4
(undetermined)		36
Total		50

Senate
Democrats		36
Republicans		29
Independent		1
(undetermined)		34
Total		100

108th House
(undetermined)		435
Total		435

Did you know that both the members of the House and the Senate receive a salary of $125,100, health and life insurance, a contributory retirement plan, and a tax-deferred savings plan? They also receive funds for maintaing staff in Washington D.C. and at home, office space, supplies, travel to and from D.C., and they don't have to pay for mail if it is official business. Having the power to set your own compensation and benefits wouldn't be so bad. Whay is that never hotly debately or put on the front pages of newspapers?

The President receives a salary of $400,000 a year plus an expense account, funds for travel and entertainment, and retirement benefits which includes life long Secrete Service protection among other things. The Vice President receives a salary of $79,125, plus $10,000 for expenses, and is supplemented by annual cost-of-living increases, as determined by the President, plus Secret Service protection. The VP gets the short end of the stick.

All this may be something to keep in mind when you pick candidates. Furthermore, don't they all become "the weathly" by taking office because of their salaries, if nothing else? Something to keep in mind.

Trying to figure out which party is for you? The Politicometer can help!

Politicians will try to use all the tricks in the book to convince you they're right. You nee the Geiger Counter of illogic to help you cut through the crap!

Respond to this (neothinker@neothought.net)
 

[vannrox]

American Data

Voting by Age Groups.
What percentage of people vote, and what percentage of each age group votes?
Tell me more...

Reported Voting Percentages by Age Groups

* All ages means 18+
Source: U.S. Census Bureau

What jumps out is the consistent and predictable zig-zagging. For the mid-term elections, the reported voter turnout percentage appears to be about 15% lower than during the years of the Presidential elections.

There may be a slight decline in voter turnout over time, but it is not prominent. The 45-64 and 65+ age groups have criss-crossed, with the 65+ age group taking the lead in the 1986 election. The 18-24 age group unsurprisingly has been the worst at showing up at the polls.

So what can we expect for the 2002 election? Probably a 45% turnout for all ages.

Respond to this (neothinker@neothought.net)

[onehipdad]

I implore ALL Republicans who worked on the last campaign to get in touch with your locals NOW to get started. There are elections at all levels of government, and we know more than ever how close it can be.

If you've never worked on a campaign, get involved! If you don't have time, get involved anyway, and you'll be surprised how much time you really have to help. If you're shy, don't worry - the more facts you gather, the greater the confidence you gain to communicate with others - not necessarily to sway opinions but just to encourage people to get out and vote.

The Democrats have it so much easier because the Truth is unimportant to them, they just tell people what they want to hear. They don't need to educate themselves about the issues, they just keep hounding and pounding on sound bites like "risky schemes" & "richest 2%" & "reproductive rights".

Working in a campaign is exciting and envigorating. It's an opportunity to learn and see firsthand that there really are people who are seriously interested in making government work and in listening to their constituents concerns.

[Fish out of Water]

fyi

[deport]

and retirement benefits which includes life long Secrete Service protection among other things.

No longer the law as it was changed in 1997 and President Clinton will be the last to receive lifetime SS protection. Beginning with President Bush it will be 10 years....

[diotima]

BTTT!

[budwiesest]

My wife has a sowing machine that can do that but she never uses it.

[budwiesest]

sow=sew, so what:~)

[budwiesest]

With the exception of the 45-64 (yellow) and the 65+(aqua) the trends seem to be headed downward. What this suggests is disenfranchisement on a major scale.

Maybe candidates just aren't striking a chord with voters anymore or voters are giving up on their ability to affect change with their votes as elections come and go and things remain the same.

[budwiesest]

Just a test since I can't 're-fresh' the page and see any comments since mine at #8. Don't know why, but I'm about to give up (apathy) like an 18-24 yr. old voter.

[Deport Billary]

Thank heavens for that 18-24 stat.