Political Spots

[Jim]

I thought we might share some of the more interesting local political spots from our various areas.

 

My favorite is from a dark horse governatorial candidate in Oklahoma by the name of Jim Evanhoff. I've only seen it once because the guy probably has no money. The spot starts with two folksy farmers talking about high gas prices and illegal immigration. One of the gentlemen farmers says something like, "Bud, did you know Jim Evanhoff has a plan to stop illegal immigration?" Bud, visibily excited, replies, "Well then I'm going to vote for Jim Evanhoff!"

 

The camera flicks to Jim who promises that he does indeed have a plan to solve these problems. He concedes that his opponents have plans too but he says are like this as he looks down to his feet. The camera follows his look, panning down Jim's rather rotund belly to his feet at which several small signs of his opponents have been planted in large steaming piles of cow crap.

 

I looked in vain for the spot on the web but I thought it was too funny not to pass on. Maybe it's something you just have to see but I'm still laughing.

[Pangloss]

Cool. These are the meat and bones of American politics, and I'd love to hear more of these. Also keep an eye on YouTube, sometimes the spots get posted there.

[walrusman]

Love to see that one. But is he going to try to take away gambling or the lottery? My parents love that cherokee casino in catoosa.

[Jim]

Love to see that one. But is he going to try to take away gambling or the lottery? My parents love that cherokee casino in catoosa.

 

I wish he would! Are you from around here Walrusman?

[ecoli]

This was a newspaper article about a mayoral candidate for Newark, NJ. I think it was Cory Booker.

 

Anyway, judging by the interviews and the way the article was written he seemed like an honest guy who was trying to help the people of his city. I was struck about how he actually seemed to care about the people, but he refused to make cheap campaign promises.

 

The article described a rally in an area heavily populated by Russian-Jewish senior citizens. One gentleman asked in broken English about fixing up the benches in their local park. The candidate told the man, (paraphrasing) "If the senior citizens think this a problem that needs to be solved, then this is a problem I will help you solve."

 

I liked that quote, because most people nowadays think that politicians are here to deliver promises and do things for the people. When in truth, politicians should be helping people do things for themselves. Similiar sentiments like that made him seem like a real person, rather then just another politician with a painted smile.

 

And for those of you familiar with the city, Newark could certainly use a man like that.

 

He seemed like a straight shooter, which are all too few and far between these days.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cory_Booker

[walrusman]

I wish I could share a good story but I can't. All of our politicians, left and right, are pandering to one group or the other without any backbone of their own. Seems like everybody's paid for anymore...

 

I'm liking the idea of the "political draft" more and more. My buddy made it up. He thinks people should be drafted to serve office, receiving their current pay or at least some kind of minimum. One term and you're done. Eliminates the career politician, but still need to work on the lobbyist crap. I thought it was stupid, but thinking about it, how could it really be any worse than what we have right now?

 

Jim - I'm in Kansas City now, against my will, but I grew up in Tulsa. My parents still live there.

[Sisyphus]

The Athenians did that, basically. The only public positions that weren't selected at random were the ten generals, who were elected. Of course, they got into a bit of trouble.....

[Pangloss]

The Senate of the ancient Roman republic were also drafted, based on the productivity of the land they owned. By the time of Caesar, of course, it had become little more than a useful fiction.

[walrusman]

So has any great society ever really done it where the powers of these draftees were comparable to a congressman or senator here in the US?

 

Might be fun to start a thread on this...