Be an American

It’s time for us to stop being Republicans and Democrats, and start being Americans. There are faults in both parties. In 1994 the Democratic lead Congress’ disapproval was 75%. Now, just 12 years later, the Republican lead Congress’ disproval is 75%. There are many conclusions that can be drawn from those numbers, and equally as many excuses made. The bottom line is that our party blindness has put in this situation. People aren’t good or bad because they are Republican, neither are they good or bad because they are Democrat. It’s time for us to be true patriots and take a moment to learn about the candidates and educate ourselves on the issues. True Americans are willing to split their ticket on Election Day. I’m the Vice Chair of the Coweta County Democratic Party. I’m voting for a Republican or two, so can you vote for some of each. On November 7th, vote for the person not the party.

www.jwhickman.com

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Competitive Dissent is American; Partisan Politics Are Not
Submitted by swmbo on Wed, 10/25/2006 - 9:52pm.

Mr. Hickman,

I deeply respect your acknowledgement that there are good candidates to be found in both parties. And I join you in encouraging people to become educated about the issues and the candidates' positions. However, to be honest, I am almost willing to sign any third-party candidate's petition (regardless of their platform), if only to bring a challenege to the Democratic and Republican parties to keep the promises they make to the voters and promptly break when they get what they want. Neither party has cornered the market on ethical representation and both of them have willingly been pimped by interests which are antagonistic to the middle class. The only real solution is a challenger from the outside -- not more of the same.

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If you and I are always in agreement, one of us is likely armed and dangerous.

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YES!
Submitted by HarrisCountyGeorgia on Sun, 10/22/2006 - 8:56pm.

Well put! The two professional parties won't hold their politicians accountable for their actions, so it is up to we the people. Those few of us who vote must break the hypnotic spell of both parties' propaganda and re-elect only those politicians who earn it. When we vote a new one in, we need to watch them like a hawk, let them know our displeasure when they forget who pays their salaries. Term limits might work, but they definately shouldn't get to vote their own pay raises. Their salaries should be decided by public referendum. Also, I believe that they shouldn't have their own special health insurance and pensions. Let them contribute to and participate in the Social Security system like the rest of us! Let them buy their own health insurance out-of-pocket like so many of us have to.

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Here's an idea or two
Submitted by HarrisCountyGeorgia on Sun, 10/22/2006 - 9:19pm.

Besides making all senators and congressmen participate in Social Security and buy their own insurance, let's pay them by the hour while present in session. Make 'em punch a timeclock, keyed only to their fingerprints. Give bonuses to those with perfect attendance and never missing a vote. Tie their wage to the minimum wage, so they don't get a raise unless the minimum goes up accordingly. Arrange it so that they take home enough pay (if they have good attendance in session) to have a comfortable, but not wealthy living. We need more blue collar and middle income people in Congress, as well as more combat veterans. We the people need to turn off the television and get involved in the political process. We need to stop the merry-go-round of the two-party system, break up the electoral circus, and limit the powers of the Legislative and Executive Branches at least. It may never happen, but it's nice to dream about.

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This is the Best Idea Yet
Submitted by skyspy on Mon, 10/23/2006 - 5:01am.

Also take away their pension plan, let them participate in the gov. thrift savings program. The taxpayers should not have to give them 100% in retirement. Most gov. employees only get 34% pension, let our congressmen share the joy of the average worker in America. That goes for the president too.

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Independent Candidates
Submitted by Joshua Hickman on Sun, 10/22/2006 - 10:22pm.

I'd like to see more Independent candidates, and or legitimate third party candidates.

Vote on my Webpoll
at
www.jwhickman.com

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Independent candidates a pipe dream
Submitted by loanarranger707 on Mon, 10/23/2006 - 6:29am.

You're not going to see more independent candidates, and here's why.

Georgia's corrupt political system operates under a law, Georgia Code section 21-2-170, which requires (among other things) that an independent candidate come up with a petition signed by 5% of the eligible voters. With about 60,000 voters in Fayette County, you'd be looking at 3,000 people willing to give their name, full address and date of birth, and of course their signature. Each page (sheet) would then have to be sworn to before a notary public but no such notary public can sign or circulate the petition. You have at most 6 months to get these signatures, and once the petition is filed it cannot be amended or supplemented.

It is very hard to get that many signatures under these conditions. You could go door to door to plead your case, but it would take time to convince people to give you public support of that nature. At 15 minutes per house, assuming two persons per house agree in the end, you'd get eight signatures per hour, and you'd be looking at 375 hours. But it might turn out to be more like 3000 hours.

[At that point, you have not been elected. You're just on the ballot. The same rules apply to so-called third-party candidates.]

A few years ago, the Libertarian party mounted a campaign to get the Georgia legislature to change the law so as to require that the petition have only 2% of the voters' signature, rather than 5%. No other state requires more than 2%. Kathy Cox, who was then the Fayette representative after having defeated Dan Lakly, refused, along with the majority of the legislature, to vote for that change.

So in practice candidates are forced to pick a party. Democrat or Republican. They don't really have to believe in anything the party stands for. They just have to pick a label.

Having to pick a party he does not believe in is the first dishonest act imposed on a candidate who wants to bring honesty to the political process. How ironic!

It is naive in the extreme to ask for more independent candidates in the state of Georgia. The legislature has made sure it is practically impossible.

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That's Ironic
Submitted by Joshua Hickman on Mon, 10/23/2006 - 6:54pm.

There is at least one Incumbent State Representative who is an Independent and one Challenger:
District 75
Ron Dodson (Independent & Incumbent)
District 120
Helen Blocker-Adams (Independent)

It's possible and happens.

Besides I can see someone getting those signiture, unless they're anti-social or just moved to the community.

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