I've abstained from elections since Sam Katz, choosing to spoil my ballots. It's a sad story indeed, but I can't get the representation I want. If they won't send someone to my door to at least talk to me, why the hell would I vote for them? If I was "running" to be elected, I'd probably see to it that I met every person I represent. It's no joke, you have to take it seriously. Politics isn't a career, it's a humble request by your fellow citizens to help coordinate the way of life!
Anyway. I will explicitly not vote for anyone who promotes and even holds a background in business of any type in the future.
Your comment about spoiling ballots reminds me of Jello Biafra's spoken word bit about having "None of the above" added to the ballot, so you could even vote out people running unopposed.
I'm inclined to agree, as a way to show the voting public's dissatisfaction with candidates.
Well, the alternative to spoiling your ballot because you don't like who is running is to run yourself. In my books that's called putting your money where your mouth is.
But it is soooo easy to bitch Jimmy. And then I don't have to do any work. I can spout my ideology far and wide and dismiss yours out-of-hand. I'll bet you are one of those evil (whisper) business people... Out to screw us all so you can rake in all those profits.
<blockquote><cite>Posted By: conceitedjerk</cite>Your comment about spoiling ballots reminds me of Jello Biafra's spoken word bit about having "None of the above" added to the ballot, so you could even vote out people running unopposed.
I'm inclined to agree, as a way to show the voting public's dissatisfaction with candidates.</blockquote>While I think the concept would be neat, what would happen if no one got elected? heh, mind you, that would be a very interesting situation in of itself.
<blockquote><cite>Posted By: StBPegger</cite><blockquote><cite>Posted By: conceitedjerk</cite>Your comment about spoiling ballots reminds me of Jello Biafra's spoken word bit about having "None of the above" added to the ballot, so you could even vote out people running unopposed.
I'm inclined to agree, as a way to show the voting public's dissatisfaction with candidates.</blockquote>While I think the concept would be neat, what would happen if no one got elected? heh, mind you, that would be a very interesting situation in of itself.</blockquote>
Biafra's solution was, should "none of the above" win, a new election will have to be run with different candidates instead of (as he puts it) "the same bozos who were rejected the first time".
The problem I see with this "solution" would be finding new (suitable) candidates, and the possibility of a state of "perpetual elections".
Exactly how I would envision it would be play out.
But part of my thought-experiment would be to try this for mayoral elections. "Whaaat? I thought people loved me? How could I get defeated by 'none of the above'???", said Katz. ;>
It's a good idea because it would likely compel the "put your money where your mouth is" out of people.
Grumpy, you're right to a degree but I also respect futility. If I tried to get elected, I'd have an agenda and risk not representing peoples' views. Part of running to me is that it is a service people request of you. You should still have to run, as nominating people would be outright insane. But again - the libertarian "just do it yourself" shows its ugly head.
If things were that simple, do you not think people would have done it already? You can't apply the idea in reality. I would love to represent people if they wanted to be represented by me. But I know that chances are, nobody wants a social atheist with a tinge of no-mercy towards criminals. I'm also not that good looking and enjoy hawaiian shirts.
Another potential problem - if we are forced into a state of "perpetual election", I'd imagine people would get so sick of constantly placing ballots that they'd either stop voting altogether or vote in <i><b>anybody</i></b> just to put an end to the cycle...
<blockquote><cite>Posted By: conceitedjerk</cite>Another potential problem - if we are forced into a state of "perpetual election", I'd imagine people would get so sick of constantly placing ballots that they'd either stop voting altogether or vote in<i><b>anybody</b></i>just to put an end to the cycle...</blockquote>