Post by Tzalaran on Oct 7, 2008 9:23:15 GMT -6
OK. now that the mud has begun to fly, i'm once again disgusted with the amount of attack ads that are flooding the media. This negative campaigning is an affront to the people of this country, and only helps to incite the mob mentality of the population of this country and polarize the electorate more than is necessary.
there was much talk about campaign reform, and people tout their legislation to this effect, but i don't see any benefits of this legislation. To my point of view, the problem is far beyond the need for reform, and is in truth in need of fundamental renovation.
To this effect, here is the basis for my campaign renovation proposal:
1) The campaign season is entirely too long, and forces the electorate to see this information daily. We are campaigning in the information age the same way the bandwagon campaigns were performed in the 1800's. This is an insult to how far technology and the american people have come. To this effect, impose a 4 week campaign limit, where candidates are allowed to hold rallies and speeches during the 4 weeks prior to the primary or general election.
2) Each person who is interested in running for office will receive a website that is sponsored by the government. here they are able to outline their platform, host advertisements, give their supporters information, and allow for a forum that interested people are allowed to discuss the platform and such.
3) No more paid for Advertising on the television. This forces people to watch the same campaign ads entirely too much, and most of them have no useful information in them in the first place.
4) There will be government sponsored debates for all positions where more than one candidate is running, and no one who is interested in running for office will be denied the opportunity to join in the debate. Debates are where the electorate is really allowed to see how the candidates perform under pressure, and excluding 3rd party and independent candidates is unfair to the people of this nation because the false dichotomy of democrat and republican has become the greatest divisive tool in american politics. we need a system that enables unity, not stresses division. multiple debates, 1 per week of the election, should be the goal for this aspect.
5) under these rules, the need for campaign money should only be needed for travel expenses, a minute amount of staffing (most should be voluntary). With the internet and no more TV advertising, the need for campaign contributions should be minimized. This should help to eliminate the special interests ability to get into the pockets of candidates, thereby stemming the tide of corruption that has crippled our government and is attempting to destroy our democracy.
These are the major points that i think need to be addressed. i'm sure that as outlined there will need to be modifications to all of these points to more accurately reflect reality, but the spirit of the renovations must stay intact for this plan to work. by making all the debates televised and archived on the internet, combined with government sponsored websites to outline the candidates platform, i think that those voters who are interested in obtaining information will have opportunity, while those who have already decided or don't participate will not be inundated will attack ads and lies from one candidate about their opponent.
Please add any thought or suggestions that would help to streamline the election process, cut the amount of money spent on campaigns, and provide the electorate with the information that they need in order to make informed decisions.
there was much talk about campaign reform, and people tout their legislation to this effect, but i don't see any benefits of this legislation. To my point of view, the problem is far beyond the need for reform, and is in truth in need of fundamental renovation.
To this effect, here is the basis for my campaign renovation proposal:
1) The campaign season is entirely too long, and forces the electorate to see this information daily. We are campaigning in the information age the same way the bandwagon campaigns were performed in the 1800's. This is an insult to how far technology and the american people have come. To this effect, impose a 4 week campaign limit, where candidates are allowed to hold rallies and speeches during the 4 weeks prior to the primary or general election.
2) Each person who is interested in running for office will receive a website that is sponsored by the government. here they are able to outline their platform, host advertisements, give their supporters information, and allow for a forum that interested people are allowed to discuss the platform and such.
3) No more paid for Advertising on the television. This forces people to watch the same campaign ads entirely too much, and most of them have no useful information in them in the first place.
4) There will be government sponsored debates for all positions where more than one candidate is running, and no one who is interested in running for office will be denied the opportunity to join in the debate. Debates are where the electorate is really allowed to see how the candidates perform under pressure, and excluding 3rd party and independent candidates is unfair to the people of this nation because the false dichotomy of democrat and republican has become the greatest divisive tool in american politics. we need a system that enables unity, not stresses division. multiple debates, 1 per week of the election, should be the goal for this aspect.
5) under these rules, the need for campaign money should only be needed for travel expenses, a minute amount of staffing (most should be voluntary). With the internet and no more TV advertising, the need for campaign contributions should be minimized. This should help to eliminate the special interests ability to get into the pockets of candidates, thereby stemming the tide of corruption that has crippled our government and is attempting to destroy our democracy.
These are the major points that i think need to be addressed. i'm sure that as outlined there will need to be modifications to all of these points to more accurately reflect reality, but the spirit of the renovations must stay intact for this plan to work. by making all the debates televised and archived on the internet, combined with government sponsored websites to outline the candidates platform, i think that those voters who are interested in obtaining information will have opportunity, while those who have already decided or don't participate will not be inundated will attack ads and lies from one candidate about their opponent.
Please add any thought or suggestions that would help to streamline the election process, cut the amount of money spent on campaigns, and provide the electorate with the information that they need in order to make informed decisions.
