# Discussion thread for the "Polls only" thread (Part 2) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 16, 2024, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636 "2024-02-16T02:56:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 206
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2024, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/4102 "2024-11-01T15:32:15Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > WTF am I going to do with all this candy? I don’t eat it Give it to the food pantry. And next year, get something that you will eat; even if it’s not candy. > [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > Drop it off at your local voting precinct on Election Day. We election workers are stuck there 14 hours and some sweet treats would be enjoyed and appreciated. > > Or, drop it off for the break room at your local library~those librarians are under appreciated and underpaid Also good ideas. – I had zero, as expected. But there was one year when kids did show up and I didn’t have anything handy to offer; so now I get a bag each of a couple things I will eat, slowly over the next couple of months. – I think a lot of the fading is that now most places, around here anyway, have some sort of official trick-or-treat party with lots of treats and other costumed kids all in one place. Though the problem with that theory is that I don’t think they then usually radiate out from there and go trick-or-treating all around the village after collecting their pile from the official party. Or maybe they do, and I just don’t know it because I’m six miles away and they don’t get this far. A lot of my immediate neighbors are Old Order Mennonite, and they don’t do Halloween – unless you count selling pumpkins to the general neighborhood. There’s a treats map to list your house on with nextdoor, and may be some elsewhere; but I didn’t want to buy enough candy to feel confident about doing that, just in case. Maybe in my location I would still have had almost nobody, but it didn’t feel right to list on a treat map and only buy two bags of candy. – I have faint memories of, in the 1950’s, being driven around a rural neighborhood to the houses of people who we knew. I was probably wearing a cat costume. The clearest part of the memory is of walking up a long driveway in the dark to a particular house, alone. Whoever was driving me (I can’t remember whether it was both parents or one) stayed in the car; and my sisters, by the time I was old enough to go, were considered too old (they would have been in their mid to late teens). We knew all these people, after all; and Halloween was supposed to be a little bit scary. I don’t think it was done at the time to go to other neighborhoods just because the pickings were better there. However, while some of us had few houses to go to, IIRC we got full sized candy bars. And a standard size candy bar in the 50’s was a good deal bigger than one today. > [@puzzlegal](#): > > There were lots of kids walking up and down the street, but they didn’t ring our bell. Dunno why not. Maybe because they have to walk uphill to get to our house? Maybe because they don’t know us? Did you have your outdoor lights on? That’s the signal, around here, that you’re playing the game. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2024, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/4103 "2024-11-01T15:39:13Z")
Yes, our outdoor lights were on. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2024, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/4104 "2024-11-01T15:40:25Z")
So much for that theory. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2024, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/4105 "2024-11-01T16:24:03Z")
We live in a gated 55-and-over community, so no TorTers. They did throw a really fun party over at the clubhouse last night, and there were lots of treats of the sweet, savory, and liquid sorts. Just no kids. I chose that I’m avoiding election news, but that’s not entirely accurate. It’s just that there’s really no new light being shed, and I’ve already voted anyway, so it seems like a waste of time. On election night, we’ll probably watch shows from the DVR and check in with the results a few minutes at a time between shows. You can get the same information in 5 minutes that you can watching for two hours, since they just repeat themselves all night. It just gets tedious to me. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2024, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/4106 "2024-11-01T17:45:03Z")
I’ll admit it. I had to look up the term “Besetting sin.” ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2024, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/4107 "2024-11-01T18:00:20Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > I chose that I’m avoiding election news, but that’s not entirely accurate. It’s just that there’s really no new light being shed, and I’ve already voted anyway, so it seems like a waste of time. Same. And it stresses me. But i listen to and read general News, so i get a fair amount of election news. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2024, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/4108 "2024-11-01T18:01:44Z")
Candidates are given the knowledge tests and scored in the debates. This information is widely publicized, including the scores on the individual knowledge tests, not just the overall score. Then we get to vote. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2024, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/4109 "2024-11-01T18:32:00Z")
Trial by Combat - Primaries: each candidate gets to spin the Wheel of Whacking for their melee weapon. Survivors advance. Conventions will be lances from camelback. General election will be bladed weapon of choice in the arena. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2024, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/4110 "2024-11-01T18:34:31Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > And next year, get something that you will eat; even if it’s not candy. Like potatoes ! And …Strange women in ponds distributing swords is starting to look like a pretty decent method for determining who will be in charge right now. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2024, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/4111 "2024-11-01T18:34:37Z")
I’ve read enough cyberpunk (from Cyberpunk 2020, to Shadowrun, to less well known systems), read enough such fiction, and seen the results in Cyberpunk 2077 to never trust aftermarket cyberware! But, if it was going to be installed no matter what, it was the laser (because I’m a GUY), the skeleton key (because I’ve been locked out), and the flashlight (because it’s so damn useful, especially like when I’m mucking about under the bed or inside my computer’s case). ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2024, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/4112 "2024-11-01T18:53:51Z")
I considered the laser. But i went for the flashlight, the binoculars, and the hearing aid. Skeleton keys are fussy and hard to use. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2024, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/4113 "2024-11-01T18:56:04Z")
Binocs, hearing aids and extendo-arms for things on top shelves. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2024, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/4114 "2024-11-01T20:13:50Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > I haven’t seen a single Harris or Trump sign in my entire city. However, there are a lot of signs for local candidates, e.g. mayor. I have seen one trump and two Harris here, which is a purple district. Last election there were trump signs everywhere. I got over 40. > [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I now see that giving a potato has been a trend on Tik Tok One of many reasons why Tiktak is evil. There is an Irish tradition, however, but I have never heard of it. We used to get apples. ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2024, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/4115 "2024-11-01T20:46:13Z")
The only change I’d make to choosing a President is that the overall popular vote should be the determining factor. What a concept, having every person’s vote be equally impactful, no matter where in the country one lives. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2024, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/4116 "2024-11-01T20:54:49Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > What a concept, having every person’s vote be equally impactful, no matter where in the country one lives. Except that the population of New York is 33 times greater than the population of Wyoming. mmm ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2024, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/4117 "2024-11-01T20:59:56Z")
So? The population of Los Angeles County is larger than the combined populations of the smallest 22 _states_. Why should living someplace remote make you more represented in national politics? ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2024, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/4118 "2024-11-01T21:00:23Z")
That’s not New York’s fault. Sounds like Wyoming needs better P.R. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2024, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/4119 "2024-11-01T21:04:07Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > Except that the population of New York is 33 times greater than the population of Wyoming. And Wyoming has the same representation in the Senate. That ought to be enough. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2024, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/4120 "2024-11-01T21:07:28Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > And Wyoming has the same representation in the Senate. That ought to be enough. I’m not sure the Wyomians would agree with that. (I don’t know what I’m talking about, actually, I just wanted to say “Wyomians”.) mmm ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2024, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/discussion-thread-for-the-polls-only-thread-part-2/997636/4121 "2024-11-01T21:12:33Z")
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