That being said, the way that our current system is set into motion I feel that I am always forced to select between extreme options, which generally means choosing the lesser of two evils. How can this be a truly democratic system if there are no moderate candidates that can find funding to rival the GOP and the Dems? I sincerely believe that this country is so divided on every issue facing this generation of government that we will not make any progress. I don't think that somebody who is elected by half of a percent really has the confidence of a majority of the people he or she is supposed to be representing.
I also believe that we need to limit the amount of money that anybody can spend on a campaign - including supporting or opposing referendums, amendments, and propositions. The biggest issues on the ballot in Colorado this year are called "The Evil Three" and the campaign against them is worth $6.8 million! Negative ads, bumper stickers, mailings, and road signs...the proponents don't have a chance, with only $17,000! $6.8 million vs $17,000, how is that a fair election?! Two of them I agree would be bad for the state, but one would make it cheaper to register and drive a car, which I support. But it doesn't have a chance - people who show up without really understanding the pros and cons of each will still vote no, because that's the message that they have received.
Another thing I think we need to reign in is the amount of time that people can spend campaigning. Since the primary elections this summer, we have received over 100 ads in the mail about ballot choices. Five of them were generic "get out the vote" ads, which is fine, but the rest were really unnecessary publications decrying horrific opponents or condoning records and missions. Similar to the television ads, I have trouble taking these seriously because the messages shared are taken out of context and seem to be enhanced to the point of being ridiculous. Not to mention the fact that they are expensive double-sided color prints on cardstock that is coated with wax and not recyclable! Giving them the month leading up to the election (even if you want to say the entire month of October, I could be fine with that) should provide plenty of time to post information, assail constituents with unsustainable propaganda, host meetings and Q&A sessions, and photoshop awful pictures of their opponents. We definitely do not need six months of that every year!
And I have told Diane Primavera's minions in Utah that if they call me one more time to ensure that I will be supporting her, I will definitely NOT be voting democratic for house district 33, but they insist on calling my cell phone and the house line EVERY DAY. Unfortunately her only legitimate opponent "Sleazy Beezley" might get my vote just because of her harassment. Either way Nov 2 can't come soon enough!
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