To-day in History, 1932

[k4kyv]

On this date in 1932, New York Gov. Franklin D. Roosevelt announced his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination.

The election was held the following November, just 9 months away.

Wouldn't it be wonderful no candidates for the upcoming election started announcing until a full year from now?

I wonder if the overall decline in the quality of presidential candidates over the past generation or two has anything to do with the fact that voters are made to start feeling "campaign fatigue" months before the election.

[kc7jty]

Let 'em start their horsehockey anytime they want. It's the plastic media hype of the Donkey Show I have a problem with.
The 'ol kitty cat & bunny rabbit playhouse for the juvenile masses.

(among the populace) Duh...hey Madge...did you hear what the kitty cat said yesterday?
Madge replies: I don't listen to that jerk, I'm votin for the bunny.

[wa4brl]

Is it possible we'd be better off having our candidates chosen in smoke-filled back rooms at the conventions?

Our current system encourages more and more power-hungry nincompoops to start the process earlier and earlier just to win some name recognition. #Sound bites have replaced substance. #Empty promises have replaced the earned respect from within the parties. #And handsome capped teeth have replaced the hard-won wisdom of political experience.

I don't pretend to have the the answer, but I can smell the sewage that infests our system now.

[n4sva]

Quote[/b] (k4kyv @ Jan. 23 2007,09:40)]On this date in 1932, New York Gov. Franklin D. Roosevelt announced his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination.

The election was held the following November, just 9 months away.

Wouldn't it be wonderful no candidates for the upcoming election started announcing until a full year from now?

I wonder if the overall decline in the quality of presidential candidates over the past generation or two has anything to do with the fact that voters are made to start feeling "campaign fatigue" months before the election.
yup, and we have had the welfare state ever since.

[W1GUH]

Quote[/b] (wa4brl @ Jan. 22 2007,17:35)]Is it possible we'd be better off having our candidates chosen in smoke-filled back rooms at the conventions?

Our current system encourages more and more power-hungry nincompoops to start the process earlier and earlier just to win some name recognition. #Sound bites have replaced substance. #Empty promises have replaced the earned respect from within the parties. #And handsome capped teeth have replaced the hard-won wisdom of political experience.

I don't pretend to have the the answer, but I can smell the sewage that infests our system now.
I think you're onto something, Steve.

The election reforms of the late 60's, early 70's was aimed at taking the decision out of the hand of the power brokers, and into the hands of the people.

It's looking to me that that was a mistake. We haven't had a good President since.

I say, Bring back the Smoke-Filled Rooms!

[n2ize]

Quote[/b] (n4sva @ Jan. 23 2007,16:36)]Quote[/b] (k4kyv @ Jan. 23 2007,09:40)]On this date in 1932, New York Gov. Franklin D. Roosevelt announced his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination.

The election was held the following November, just 9 months away.

Wouldn't it be wonderful no candidates for the upcoming election started announcing until a full year from now?

I wonder if the overall decline in the quality of presidential candidates over the past generation or two has anything to do with the fact that voters are made to start feeling "campaign fatigue" months before the election.
yup, and we have had the welfare state ever since.
No, we built a safety net for those who get caught up in bad times. Most progressive and industrialized nations have similar protections for their citizens. And yes, some people do get caught up in hard times, even in our magnificent and flawless nation.

[n2ize]

Quote[/b] (W1GUH @ Jan. 23 2007,16:42)]Quote[/b] (wa4brl @ Jan. 22 2007,17:35)]Is it possible we'd be better off having our candidates chosen in smoke-filled back rooms at the conventions?

Our current system encourages more and more power-hungry nincompoops to start the process earlier and earlier just to win some name recognition. Sound bites have replaced substance. Empty promises have replaced the earned respect from within the parties. And handsome capped teeth have replaced the hard-won wisdom of political experience.

I don't pretend to have the the answer, but I can smell the sewage that infests our system now.
I think you're onto something, Steve.

The election reforms of the late 60's, early 70's was aimed at taking the decision out of the hand of the power brokers, and into the hands of the people.

It's looking to me that that was a mistake. We haven't had a good President since.

I say, Bring back the Smoke-Filled Rooms!
We don't have leadership that represents the majority of working Americans. And if we did have such a candidate who would represent the interests of middle working America rest assured he'd be rejected by middle working America. He'd instantly be labeled socialist, communist, subversive, anti American.

[W1GUH]

Quote[/b] (n2ize @ Jan. 22 2007,17:53)]Quote[/b] (W1GUH @ Jan. 23 2007,16:42)]Quote[/b] (wa4brl @ Jan. 22 2007,17:35)]Is it possible we'd be better off having our candidates chosen in smoke-filled back rooms at the conventions?

Our current system encourages more and more power-hungry nincompoops to start the process earlier and earlier just to win some name recognition. #Sound bites have replaced substance. #Empty promises have replaced the earned respect from within the parties. #And handsome capped teeth have replaced the hard-won wisdom of political experience.

I don't pretend to have the the answer, but I can smell the sewage that infests our system now.
I think you're onto something, Steve.

The election reforms of the late 60's, early 70's was aimed at taking the decision out of the hand of the power brokers, and into the hands of the people.

It's looking to me that that was a mistake. #We haven't had a good President since.

I say, Bring back the Smoke-Filled Rooms!
We don't have leadership that represents the majority of working Americans. And if we did have such a candidate who would represent the interests of middle working America rest assured he'd be rejected by middle working America. He'd instantly be labeled socialist, communist, subversive, anti American.
Yes. #And this is because many, many of those American Workers keep on voting, and re-voting for Governments that repeatedly turn around and give it to 'em BUT GOOD. #(Think ronnie and the bushes.)

This is the puzzle of the primaries. #Why do people repeatedly vote for candidates that are against their personal interests?

At least the fat cats in the smoke-filled rooms usually selected candidates who are competant and qualified for the job. #(Hmmmmm....smoke-filled rooms that select qualified people. #Hmmmm.... Naw!!!!!)

[kc7jty]

Quote[/b] (W1GUH @ Jan. 23 2007,17:07)]#Why do people repeatedly vote for candidates that are against their personal interests?
it is their duty as Americans to do so. They don't want to seem unAmerican.

Same mind as the patient going to the doctor and insisting he be given the little purple pill. Hey...I saw it on TV.

[n1ydx]

I really am looking for the American Candidate. The one that is not a Lawyer or rich business man.

But then again, how can your common good sense normal citizen get into politics without the bucks?

N1YDX - Lee

[ac3p]

Scrap elections and have a "Jury Duty" system.

All eligible U.S. citizens in the pool. Once you are selected for an office, you serve one term. No career politicians. No dynasties.

[w0aew]

Quote[/b] (n1ydx @ Jan. 23 2007,19:13)]I really am looking for the American Candidate. The one that is not a Lawyer or rich business man.
Well, that rules out Abe Lincoln. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif

[K9YLI]

How about limit the campaign for any office to 3 months, and expenditures o r $30,000 ..

even a poor guy could gather that kind of funding..

term limits of two terms.

maybe "required voting" If you don't vote you owe and extra $5000 income tax..
The problem with the US is too many people don't vote.........So the special interest groupls that are the "loudest" gather the most votes. The silent majority just let them get away with it.

[n4sva]

We can always look forward to another Ralph "Unsafe at any speed" Nader campaign to assist us in these close elections.