Man of the Year
(Before I get started, this post does not reflect my opinions, one way or the other, on any one person in government be it local, state, or federal)
My wife and I went to see "Man of the Year" a week or two ago. I love Robin Williams and I thought this was a very good movie. It made me really think about the upcoming elections this year and the presidential election coming in 2008. Sadly, in the past I've maybe been a little passive in my voting, voting for someone just because he/she was in the party I feel like I've affiliated with in the past. Recently, even before seeing this movie, I've just started to feel like I need to better inform myself about who these people are that are running for office, local, state, and federal. Find out about these people and vote for the one that I feel best represents me, even if that person isn't a part of the political party I associate with. This includes if the person is running as an independent. Some people feel though that voting for an independent would just be throwing away your vote. "You know their not going to win so why even vote for them? Why basically take a vote away from 'our candidate' and more or less give a vote to the opposing party (strictly speaking republicans and democrats here)?" I somewhat understand that argument but I don't necessarily feel like I would be throwing away my vote or 'giving' it to the 'other' party. If I vote for an independent, yeah I know he/she is probably going to lose out but at least I feel like I've voted for my best representative. Although, 'Man of the Year' points out that with candidates being so financially supported in their campaigns by lobbyists, businesses, and who knows who else, will any of them really represent me if/when they get in office?
In the movie, Tom Dobbs (Robin Williams) is a TV comedian and pundit, in the vein of a John Stewart or Stephen Colbert, who on a suggestion from an audience member, decides to run for president. Part of his whole campaign is that he will not spend any money on advertising so he doesn't have to rely on lobbyists or big business to financially support him and therefore won't be indebted to them while in office. (Click HERE for a synopsis and review of the whole movie) This actually intrigued me. With more and more people turning to the internet to get their news and to watch/listen to podcasts, running a campaign without spending money on advertising is getting closer to being almost possible. It would be refreshing to have a candidate that would actually try it. I would love it if just some average person, not a politician or a big business head honcho actually threw their hat in the ring and tried to run for president. Article 2 of the Constitution states that "No person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty-five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States." So why couldn't just an average person make a run at it? Heck, I've only got one more year (actually about 7 months) and then I'm eligible according to our Constitution. I think we live in a great county, yes even the best country in the world, but we need a change. I think we need to have our average citizens start making runs for political office. Get the 'average guy/girl' in there and start infusing our thoughts and ideas, needs and wants back into the government.
I've thought before about how people could just not vote and be that apathetic but after watching this movie and thinking about all this recently, I've realized that I've been almost as apathetic by just voting for people based on their party and not really finding out what they stand for and if it is someone that I really want in office. I've made a commitment to myself to be better informed from now on and vote my way even if it means voting for someone who probably won't win.
(Wow, after reading over my post, it really makes me sound like I am pretty naive. I've never felt I was but maybe I have been. NO MORE I SAY!!! ;-) Seriously though, find out about the candidates for all ranks of government you'll be voting for. Find out about other issues you'll be voting on such as propositions, amendments, etc. Make informed decisions and vote how YOU feel.)
My wife and I went to see "Man of the Year" a week or two ago. I love Robin Williams and I thought this was a very good movie. It made me really think about the upcoming elections this year and the presidential election coming in 2008. Sadly, in the past I've maybe been a little passive in my voting, voting for someone just because he/she was in the party I feel like I've affiliated with in the past. Recently, even before seeing this movie, I've just started to feel like I need to better inform myself about who these people are that are running for office, local, state, and federal. Find out about these people and vote for the one that I feel best represents me, even if that person isn't a part of the political party I associate with. This includes if the person is running as an independent. Some people feel though that voting for an independent would just be throwing away your vote. "You know their not going to win so why even vote for them? Why basically take a vote away from 'our candidate' and more or less give a vote to the opposing party (strictly speaking republicans and democrats here)?" I somewhat understand that argument but I don't necessarily feel like I would be throwing away my vote or 'giving' it to the 'other' party. If I vote for an independent, yeah I know he/she is probably going to lose out but at least I feel like I've voted for my best representative. Although, 'Man of the Year' points out that with candidates being so financially supported in their campaigns by lobbyists, businesses, and who knows who else, will any of them really represent me if/when they get in office?
In the movie, Tom Dobbs (Robin Williams) is a TV comedian and pundit, in the vein of a John Stewart or Stephen Colbert, who on a suggestion from an audience member, decides to run for president. Part of his whole campaign is that he will not spend any money on advertising so he doesn't have to rely on lobbyists or big business to financially support him and therefore won't be indebted to them while in office. (Click HERE for a synopsis and review of the whole movie) This actually intrigued me. With more and more people turning to the internet to get their news and to watch/listen to podcasts, running a campaign without spending money on advertising is getting closer to being almost possible. It would be refreshing to have a candidate that would actually try it. I would love it if just some average person, not a politician or a big business head honcho actually threw their hat in the ring and tried to run for president. Article 2 of the Constitution states that "No person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty-five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States." So why couldn't just an average person make a run at it? Heck, I've only got one more year (actually about 7 months) and then I'm eligible according to our Constitution. I think we live in a great county, yes even the best country in the world, but we need a change. I think we need to have our average citizens start making runs for political office. Get the 'average guy/girl' in there and start infusing our thoughts and ideas, needs and wants back into the government.
I've thought before about how people could just not vote and be that apathetic but after watching this movie and thinking about all this recently, I've realized that I've been almost as apathetic by just voting for people based on their party and not really finding out what they stand for and if it is someone that I really want in office. I've made a commitment to myself to be better informed from now on and vote my way even if it means voting for someone who probably won't win.
(Wow, after reading over my post, it really makes me sound like I am pretty naive. I've never felt I was but maybe I have been. NO MORE I SAY!!! ;-) Seriously though, find out about the candidates for all ranks of government you'll be voting for. Find out about other issues you'll be voting on such as propositions, amendments, etc. Make informed decisions and vote how YOU feel.)
Check out the trailer for "Man of the Year"
Comments
I write in my vote on occasion and I don't feel badly about it at all. The negative campaigning and the avoidance of real issues has made me so angry over the years, my fantasy is that more people write in their votes than the people who actually vote for Democrat or Republican. Maybe that would send a message.
You also hit my hot button about propositions and amendments. (1) I hate some of the issues they propose amendments for, and (2) people don't actually read the amendments before they vote; they rely on some tv ad or a website that doesn't give both sides of the issue.
Pitiful. But we have no one to blame but ourselves.
And as I mentioned in reply to your comment on my blog, I think the best solution is publicly funded elections. No more fund raising or having to bow to business interests who finance your campaigns.
Oh, and I really want to see this movie now!