Xythe,

You're right. It's a vote. But, you know what? The candidates DON'T CARE. That's my point. If you don't vote, it is no threat to them.

Some years back I was privvy to a strategy commonly employed by legislators. If you call or write on an issue that is important to you, they will have their staff check to see that you voted. If you vote in every election, your concern is given high priority. If you vote occasionally they'll consider it if enough others feel as you do. But if you never vote or are not registered, the comment is discarded. Why should they concern themselves with people who can't/won't vote them out of office.

Nobody's saying you need to vote for a scumbag. If you don't like what's out there, you have a number of options including running for office yourself.

I've gotten to see firsthand what that can do. Pre-2006, my opponent in the 2006 was a "tax and spend" Republican. He had first obtained office in 1988 as a Democrat, then switched to the GOP in 1994. Except for his first election, he had never run opposed until I challenged him in '06. In this past legislature, he was FAR more a fiscal conservative than he had been in previous legislatures.

So what I am saying is, BE dissatisfied. BE PO'd. But for crying out loud, make sure they KNOW it. If you don't vote, you're simply classified with Joe Crackhead who doesn't give a crap!

If you don't vote, you are taking your voice out of the system.  If you take your voice out of the system, then why should anyone listen to what you have to say?

We should focus less on not voting for those we don't like and more on convincing people to vote, even if it's a blank sheet, the least likely candidate or a third party. We first need to show politicians that it us we the people who run the show, not them. We need to show them that we can make changes when ever we chose so they should not feel comfortable making mistakes because they think they will not be punished for it.

And yeah, I have ideas for changing it, but I'd be more ridiculed for those by people that still have faith in American democracy than for suggesting things needed a total rework in the first place.

in for a penny, in for a pound.  I would be interested to see what your ideas are.  I think changes are needed, but have not thought long enough on it to really have a good option formed.  perhaps a strawdog type of arrangement might be good for some open debate.

"Not voting" is not a vote at all, it's simply a choice that really doesn't matter.

Like was already said, we need to get more people to vote, and to get new and old voters educated on things that really matter.  When I say "things that really matter", I'm not talking about American Idol, and the other nonsense that people think is so important.

I was referring to public office, the area where you claim there are no good choices.

Of course, I guess military DQ's you, which is understandable.

Tell ya what. Send a $1000 check to my '08 campaign and we'll call it good

When I say "things that really matter", I'm not talking about American Idol, and the other nonsense that people think is so important.

Well see my last answer above. I'm glad you show a little disdain for American Idol, because I hate it too, and so we'd vote for the same guy. However, comma, you're showing your hand. What is "important" is subjective. And most of the people I know operate on subjective principles. For every one American Idol naysayer, 10 mouthbreathers are going to say "NO! No Sah! I'm voting for the good looking guy with nice hair that can play saxophone. He r0x0rz!!!111 Don't try to confuse me with facts on issues."

If you could vote for President as many times as you could vote on American Idol, our political process would be a lot different.

Perhaps we should start with everyone in the country - nobody on the ballot, just write in whoever you want, and the 10 with the most votes go on a ballot, where you can't write in anybody. Then 5, then 2...

Ryan Seacrest could host. "America voted... Hillary, you have been eliminated."

Simon Cowell: "A dog in a track suit could have debated better."

I think I've got the next big hit reality show: "American President"

Straw dogs are not final plans. They are goin gto get shot down and torn apart. But then they do present a starting point for discussion and debate. I see Jythier's point, and eliminating the stupids would be problematic (or ignorants whichever is more politically correct).

But then we could always have a "teach to the test" class along with it, so that no one would be excluded if they made an effort. There are other ideas, that may not pan out, may be made to, or may lead to other ideas. What we do know is that we have to start thinking outside the box.

1 point for each issue identified, 1 point for showing understanding of each issue, 1 point for each proposed solution, and a single point for submitting an essay. Additional points also for knowing a candidate's stance on issues.

So, now we have a new system to vote with, can I start a business writing essays for people to get them more points? How about we just sell the votes?

I like the essay idea, I think it has some serious market potential.

Have a waiting room at the polls and show a video of a debate. You can go in there and learn about the candidates, and have it fresh in your mind as you go to vote. Or even internet access provided there, with bookmarks on each candidate's web page, voting record, etc.

I like the video idea better, even if it was a video made by each candidate instead of an actual debate. They would have to only address themselves, and not how awful the other guy is. Get your smear campaigns out of the way before the election.

"My attempt to add 30 minutes to recess for all grade schoolers was met with derision from the teaching staff."

Almost missed that one. You couldn't get them to compromise at 15?

Yup. I had a lady last year who told me she was sorry she didn't vote for me, but she "only" votes for Democrats. I told her I was sure my opponent was grateful for her support, which upset her (my opponent, of course, was a Republican). I reminded her that by not casting a vote for me she effectively voted for my opponent. She didn't like that much.