August 6, 200422 yr I thought the Amish were supposed to be pacifists and hence angry with the war in Iraq? Well I guess gays and abortions are worse that invasions. BIRD-IN-HAND, Pennsylvania (AP) -- The Amish live without electricity, cars, telephones, and usually, without voting. But they are being sought out this year as Republicans try to sign up every possible supporter in presidential battleground states. Amish almost always side with the Republican Party when they do vote -- making them an attractive, if unlikely, voting bloc in the neck-and-neck campaign between President Bush and Democratic nominee John Kerry. A majority of the nation's Amish live in key swing states like Pennsylvania and Ohio. "Pennsylvania and Ohio are just absolute battleground states, and to think that the Amish could weigh in to the tune of thousands of votes that are clearly going to be Republican -- that could be very significant for Bush," said Chet Beiler, a former Amish who has been dropping off voter registration forms at Amish businesses and farms in hopes of signing up as many as 3,000 new voters. As pacifists, most Amish avoid political activity that they believe would link them even indirectly with government-sponsored violence. But hot-button social issues, coupled with gentle prompting from people like Beiler, are galvanizing some Amish to register to vote. "We hate that abortion issue," said Sam Stolztfus, 60, an Amish farmer and gazebo maker in Pennsylvania's Lancaster County, where an estimated 27,000 Amish live. "We're totally against it. And as far as gay issues, that's completely contrary to the Bible." The bearded Stolztfus proudly says the Amish are "sort of swept up with Bush fever." "You could hold up a dead mouse with a sign 'I love Bush' and we'd still probably think twice about stomping that mouse underfoot." An estimated 180,000 Amish live in 28 states and Ontario. They are a reserved, Christian subculture in rural areas who descend from Swiss Germans and settled in Lancaster County in the early 1700s as part of William Penn's "holy experiment" in religious tolerance. The Amish do not drive cars, watch TV or use telephones in their homes, and are instantly recognizable by their horse-driven buggies and plain garb, bonnets and straw hats. Physically casting a ballot will not be a problem for Amish in Lancaster County, where mechanical lever voting machines are still used. "Their basic political inclinations are traditional and conservative," said Don Kraybill, a sociologist of Anabaptist studies at Elizabethtown College in Lancaster. "Although the Amish are not politically active, they make an enticing target for Republicans, politically, because they are likely going to vote Republican." But experts believe fewer than 10 percent of Amish ever vote, and the prospect of them turning out in great numbers in November is "not going to happen," Kraybill said. "These things occur gradually, over 30 to 40 years -- not quickly." Neither presidential campaign is targeting the Amish, although Bush privately met with about 30 Amish during a July 9 campaign trip through Lancaster County. Earlier this year, the Bush administration relaxed federal labor laws to let Amish teenagers work near dangerous woodworking machines. The Amish had lobbied for the changes for years. Democrats have all but ceded the Amish vote to Republicans. "If I know Republicans and their grass-roots operations, they'll spend most of their time trying to phone bank the Amish," said Kerry spokesman Mark Nevins. Not all Amish are comfortable with the Bush administration -- particularly the president's decision to invade Iraq. But John Fisher, who welds iron products in Lancaster and is father of seven children, said Bush's "focus on the family" will win his vote. Of the war, "something needed to be done," said Fisher, a member of Lancaster's Amish community. "I don't agree with war at all. But he had to do what he had to do." In Ohio, Amish have begun reaching out to the state Republican Party to learn more about Bush, said party spokesman Jason Mauk. An estimated 55,000 Amish live in Ohio -- more than in any other state. "A lot of Amish Ohioans respect the president as a man of faith and someone who leads with conviction," Mauk said. "These are people who care about our religious freedom and the moral fabric of society. That's motivating a lot of Amish to do what they have not done before, and reach out to us to start a dialogue."
August 6, 200422 yr I'll agree that invasions are more serious than gays...but IMO abortions are killings just like invasions can be.
August 6, 200422 yr Excellent article...could be very interesting to see if the Amish have any real effect on the final outcome in Penn and Ohio...
August 6, 200422 yr Author However you feel, I just thought it was kind of weird for the Amish to be politically active. I mean...theyre the Amish!
August 6, 200422 yr However you feel, I just thought it was kind of weird for the Amish to be politically active. I mean...theyre the Amish! 498035[/snapback] LOL....that's what I was thinking...didn't know that they voted!
August 6, 200422 yr However you feel, I just thought it was kind of weird for the Amish to be politically active. I mean...theyre the Amish! 498035[/snapback] why you hatin on the Amish, f_m! :lol I guess electronic voting booths are out of the question, eh?
August 6, 200422 yr My Aunt used to live in THe Lancaster area, Their kind of a dying people down here at least that's what I think, they're forced to move to Ohio to breed to keep down in breeding.
August 6, 200422 yr I just visisted Lancaster County, very nice area and the ahmish are nice overall. Though why they're getting involved with Bush I do not know.
August 6, 200422 yr Excellent article...could be very interesting to see if the Amish have any real effect on the final outcome in Penn and Ohio... 498030[/snapback] I wasn't aware that there were many Amish in the Electoral College...... :o
August 6, 200422 yr There was a group of Amish that lived (or do they still live there?) in south Dade near Krome Avenue.
August 6, 200422 yr There was a group of Amish that lived (or do they still live there?) in south Dade near Krome Avenue. 498084[/snapback] They still live here Cape. And the bakery is as good as ever.
August 6, 200422 yr Republicans are going nuts looking for people to change the likely outcome of the election. I call this DESPERATION! Anyway, I thought the Amish were sort of like "The Village" type of people, living in their own little world. :blink:
August 6, 200422 yr Republicans are going nuts looking for people to change the likely outcome of the election. I call this DESPERATION! Anyway, I thought the Amish were sort of like "The Village" type of people, living in their own little world. :blink: 498288[/snapback] Amish are American citizens and they vote.
August 6, 200422 yr Republicans are going nuts looking for people to change the likely outcome of the election. I call this DESPERATION! Anyway, I thought the Amish were sort of like "The Village" type of people, living in their own little world.? :blink: 498288[/snapback] Amish are American citizens and they vote. 498465[/snapback] Cape, You are missing the point. Again. Of course they can vote if they wish. We are just appalled that they would get involved in a 20th century scheme. As I said, they live isolated from the real world.
August 6, 200422 yr exactly cape ... why all the disparaging remarks for the Amish? don't get me wrong .. i don't mind some comedy .. but for people who supposedly support the rights of all people and are followers of an enlightened party, it seems silly to trash these guys because of their way or life (a lifestyle that is harming no one) like any other american citizen, regardless of religion, they have a right to vote and chose a candidate who they feel will help keep the ideals they uphold seriously, if I posted something like "dems target jew vote ... and sit there and went off on how all they care about is israel and money, therefore they should sway republican if anything" i'm sure there would be some crap
August 6, 200422 yr seriously, if I posted something like "dems target jew vote ... 498513[/snapback] The Dems DO target the "jew" vote how you call it. :mischief You guys need to grow up seriously. No one is making demeaning remarks on the Amish. We are just curious to know how would they vote if they don't like anything 20th century... Get it? or do you need it liquified?
August 6, 200422 yr Republicans are going nuts looking for people to change the likely outcome of the election. I call this DESPERATION! Anyway, I thought the Amish were sort of like "The Village" type of people, living in their own little world.? :blink: 498288[/snapback] No, desperation is trying to register felons to vote for Mrs Heinz husband
August 6, 200422 yr Republicans are going nuts looking for people to change the likely outcome of the election. I call this DESPERATION! Anyway, I thought the Amish were sort of like "The Village" type of people, living in their own little world.? :blink: 498288[/snapback] No, desperation is trying to register felons to vote for Mrs Heinz husband 498529[/snapback] learn to spell first and second, try backing up your accusations with some kind of "FACTS".
August 6, 200422 yr Republicans are going nuts looking for people to change the likely outcome of the election. I call this DESPERATION! Anyway, I thought the Amish were sort of like "The Village" type of people, living in their own little world.? :blink: 498288[/snapback] No, desperation is trying to register felons to vote for Mrs Heinz husband 498529[/snapback] learn to spell first and second, try backing up your accusations with some kind of "FACTS". 498533[/snapback] Go to any county courthouse in the State of Florida and you will see arepresentative from a group called "Acorn". They are trying to do exactly that.
August 6, 200422 yr they'd vote using the manual machines that are prevelant in rural communities ... they would travel to town, go to a polling station and cast their ballot for the candidate of their choice and what's more, they can even read ... that's right, they are able to obtain newsprint and read up on world events and issues that could affect their lives (secluded as it may be) despite living an isolated existance, there are still issues that are important to them .. off the top of my head I'm sure it has anything to do with religious rights, abortion, farming & environmental issues I'm from an area with a lot of amish and they would get involved in politics when they thought it would harm them ... they put up a strong fight against using a reflective triangle on their buggies ... they got over-ruled, but that is america there are some battles that they win although they aren't usually concerned because their way of life is fairly safe ... there are times when they get interested in politics to defend their interests (just like everyone else) ... their interests just are fewer also you guys come off like there were no elections in prior years .... they may not care about the 21st century (which it is now) or even most of the 20th century ...... that doesn't negate that they have means and rights to voice thier opinions on the issues that do matter to them
August 6, 200422 yr Republicans are going nuts looking for people to change the likely outcome of the election. I call this DESPERATION! Anyway, I thought the Amish were sort of like "The Village" type of people, living in their own little world.? :blink: 498288[/snapback] No, desperation is trying to register felons to vote for Mrs Heinz husband 498529[/snapback] learn to spell first and second, try backing up your accusations with some kind of "FACTS". 498533[/snapback] Bashing of online spelling in "instant" mediums like this has historically been considered bad form. 498772[/snapback] How convenient... The other day you were criticizing Flying_Mollusk's sentence structure. :mischief2
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