Brits run far better elections than the US

There are two very simple things Britain does in their elections that we in the US don't do but that we should. The first is that they don't allow "mis-statements" in campaigns. They are outlawed, formally. If, after the fact, a person is in office and is found to have done such a thing, they must forfeit their office. So simple, so smart. The second thing the Brits do that we need so horribly here in the States is--and I've said this before--we need to make our campaigns for election a certain length of time. Three or six months seems about right. In this way, we wouldn't have to keep hearing from these people but far more importantly, once in office, they could merely legislate instead of virtually constantly campaigning and raising money for those campaigns, as they must now. (Then, if we put this with true, stringent, touch, accountable and prosecutable campaign finance reform, we could get the "big money" from the wealthy and corporations of these campaigns out of our election system and government). We can always hope. That said, we must work for these changes.

Quote of the day

"Romney asks a girl wearing a Hollister California sweatshirt, 'Oh you're from Hollister California are you?'" --Ari Shapiro, NPR reporter on the campaign trail, according to his Facebook page this evening from Mitt "I swear I'm not out of touch" Romney

The "Campaign Economy"---this is no way to run a country

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We need to kill "campaign contributions" that we know are, in effect, actually bribes. We need to get them out of our political process. Until we do, nothing will change.

Unbelievably, this is an actual, serious ad

Better rethink that campaign, there, Dan.

More good news/bad news on elections

The good news?  The election of November 2010 is over.

The bad news?

The 2012 presidential election begins today.

Just sayin'.

Try to think happy thoughts.

Plato on elections and politicians

“In politics we presume that everyone who knows how to get votes knows how to administer a city or a state. When we are ill... we do not ask for the handsomest physician, or the most eloquent one.”

So don't think our situation, ugly as it might be, is new to us.


And in the meantime, enjoy your Sunday.  It's another beautiful one out there.