Voter Turnout Up in U.S Midterm Elections

[Azred]

I know what you mean, Attalus. There were many times that I couldn't tell the philosophical difference between Jesse Jackson and Jesse Helms.... [img]tongue.gif[/img]

And now, a word on politician salaries. According to current Federal law, I could run for the Senate to represent Texas. Unfortunately, I could not afford to do so. Even if I joined a political party and got lots of financial backing for my campaign, once I got into office I'd have to quit my job. This I could not do, financially.
Politician salaries need to be set at a level such that any normal person desiring to run for office could do so and not face financial ruin. As it is, only the wealthy can afford to run for office, so its no wonder people ask why only rich people try to get into office.

If you want to see real campaign finance reform, then have every person who files a tax return mark that little box donating $1 to the political party of their choice. That money can then help fund elections for people who otherwise could not afford it, which will make it possible for more people to run for office. *sigh* That is the one change I would make to the political system....

[John D Harris]

Here's one I thunked would go good with this thread:

Five surgeons are discussing who makes the best patients on the operating
table.

The first surgeon says, "I like to see accountants on my operating table
because you open them up, everything inside is numbered. "The second
responds, "Yeah, but you should try electricians! Everything inside them
is color coded. "The third surgeon says, "No, I really think librarians
are the best...Everything inside them is in alphabetical order. "The
fourth surgeon chimes in, "You know, I like construction workers. Those
guys always understand when you have a few parts left over at the end."
BUT....the fifth surgeon shut them all up when he observed,"You're all
wrong ... Politicians are the easiest to operate on... There's no guts,
no heart, and no spine... and...the head and ass are interchangeable."

[Lord Starshadow]

Of course each candidate says that they have such and such views on a subject, but it seems that they don't stick with it. I'd like to see some honesty, but I don't think it's possible anymore. And that is what makes all politicans the same: They say one thing, then do another. So why even have them talk about issues? And then, half the time they're campaigning for re-election (well, not all of them, of course, but it seems that way sometimes).

Everyone always says to me: find a candidate whose views mirror your own. I'm sorry to say, I've never come across a politican whose views even remotely resembled mine across the board, or even most of the way. There's always good points, then these points that I totally disagree with and outweigh any good points that they may have had.

Okay now, let's see... MagiK: If you vote and things turn out the opposite of what you wanted, whose fault is that? Is it mine because I didn't vote even though you know my view would have been the same as what came about? What if there is no option that I like, and I don't vote? Should I have instead casted a vote for someone I really didn't want in office?... Also, your idea of salary being tied to results is excellent, and something I had thought of before. Will it ever happen? No way. But if it did, it'd be a step in getting people who care but don't vote to vote.

Azred: What about in the case of your picks losing? It is neither my or your structure of government, and we both have to live by it. I can live with that. Even in the case of your politician being the one to pass a law that I do not like. Apparently, enough people in the country think that this guy knows what he's doing, and therefore, I should at least give it a chance before totally condemning it. I'm honestly not a person who goes "That's unfair! I shouldn't have to follow that rule!" As long as everyone does, I'm fine with it.

Attalus: It's not just one example of a government issue turning me off. It's been a build up of things I've seen since I was in school. I wouldn't say something like this if it were just one incident. Things happen, I understand that... You make a good point about how everyone should be able to compete in a political race financally if they so choose. That would help things greatly. Instead of the elite minority being the only ones in office, we'd have people that understand a little better about what it is that regular people do. Political visits have to much of a "well, I guess it's time I go out and meet the peasantry" feeling than they should... Also, you say that because I'm not part of the system that change is impossible? Well, if I were to start a revolution, much like our founding fathers did against England, I could possibly do it. Not likely, of course, very unlikely and highly unfeasible, but it could be done, and I wouldn't be part of the system yet making a change. Not that I would something like that, mind you. [img]smile.gif[/img]

BTW, I'm not against our system of government at all. I think our republic is a good way to go. The problem I have is that right now, we have people that shouldn't be in office in office. We have to change that system so we are better represented, because all we're getting is rich people, since only they really have the resources to fund a campaign (which ironically enough has been a problem since the beginning. Our founding fathers didn't exactly believe in the equality of all people, just the elite). If we can fix that, I think less people would think like me, and the country would be better overall.

Gah, it's late at night and I'm tired, so I don't know how coherent that all was. BTW, I know you all think that I'm stupid for believing in it, but if you don't believe in anything, what's the point? I commend your efforts to reform me so far, but I've seen and heard much, much worse from others. [img]smile.gif[/img] Nothing so far has made me budge from my position, however. But do keep trying; I'd love to find a reason to vote, but alas there has been none so far.