A REMINDER
Do we need election reforms?
Right now, when we are all pretty much fed-up with election excesses – either real or imaginary – might be as good a time as any we might find to attempt to do something about such alleged or actual irregularities.
A primary obstacle has to be overcome before we can even begin to discuss election reforms seriously. We must set ground rules for the practicality of suggested changes and avoid merely echoing the set prejudices of existing political bodies. If major parties – not just two, if that seems to be the mood at the moment - if all parties s adhere strictly to their narrow views such reformation plans are doomed to failure from the start. A major obstacle is, then, that the negotiating parties be willing to concede certain point; to back off a bit from from their established views and to engage in some honest give-and-take negotiations which might put an end to such anovbeall problem.
During the recent election, how often did you hear it said that “both parties are pretty much alike.”or, “I can’t tell one party from the other.”, Or, edging toward a nastier attitude “ What difference does it make? Both of ‘em are cooked as a dog’s hind leg!”
It might be useful for each of us to go over, in our own mind and among our friends and associates, some of the many views heard expressed – even half foolishly – during the recent election daze. Without attempting to set them in priority , what were some ideas you heard?
No doubt one dealt with the length of our election time. That’s a all too common problem, it seems. Far too many candidates, and their party-bound backers, seem to think the active campaign begins the day anyone is elected to office – even before the have actually “taken over”and might be held responsible. Compared to other nations, our elections seem to be a permanent part of being an elected individual with a an intense crisis situation every so-many years.
Should adherence to one party or the other be demanded as qualification for voting? Should individuals be required to state which party they will support? Democrat? Republican? Independent? If so, why bother with a vote procedure at all?
I heard a great any complaints about the intensity of TV advertising. Most seem to think it was overdone in some areas and slighted in others. Some tally up the cost of TV and even argue that it be made free to all parties. Those who do so are admitting, of course, that he rest of their lives is pretty well controlled by TV to turn yet another phase over to TV would not make that much difference.
There were objections to “dirty” work pertaining to print, films, tapes, etc - all the way down to utter filth and obscenity on some, as yet, un-policed Internet pages.
I heard calls for uniform methods by which actual voting might be done. The argument favors the use of the same voting machines in each and every state. Others wanted to return to “simply”, printed ballots with boxes to “X” out, forgetting , it seems, that the main reason for getting rid of the paper forms was that they were too complicated.
I can't see an real reforms of any consequence taking place anywhere in the near future. Rather than wait, let's just plan to talk about it some more four years from now.
A.L.M. November 26, 2004 [c589wds]
