Arizona Thoughts
The following are some thoughts about the recent election in Arizona.
First of all, it appears that the far religious right agenda may not only be dead nationally, but dead in this State as well. There are several things that are encouraging about this, and some of them will be of a benefit to the church. First of all, churches need to focus on their real mission in life, and that is not promoting political agendas. Government in America is designed to work for all people, and not just for the few. This means that the government must take a broader outlook to promote life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and not push laws that restrict such freedom.
The defeat of prop 107 is a prime example.
In addition, it seems that voters are very compassionate in Arizona, as long as you are here legally, or don't happen to smoke. Voters in Arizona and elsewhere will not tolerate corrpuption, or other misconduct, and this crosses Party lines.
Voters also need to have a compelling reason to vote someone out of office, and a compelling reason to vote someone in. There were several campaigns that had difficulty making this case to many voters. In addition, many Arizona voters will cross party lines in specific races, but there are limits to the number of races where this will happen.
The Arizona Democratic party, very much needs to develop a strategy that places candidates on the ballot in each and every race regardless of the voter registration numbers by district. Finding people willing to run, and live with the short 2 year terms at a low salary is a problem.
Unfortunatley, the salary increse did not go through for Arizona legislators, but maybe the new minimum wage law can be applied, and their salaries could rise...of course, they would need to punch a timeclock.
The Arizona Democratic Party needs to become much more engaged with the Legislative Districts, and assemble ballot signature lists for potential candidates to streamline the ballot qualification process for those who wish to run.
In addition, in 2010, we need real competitve redistricting that does not capitulate to any one interest group or political Party. This will be a tall order, and is quite some time away, but it very much needs to happen.
The Arizona Democratic Party should also work to recruit "fighting Dem" candidates at the local level. I can think of a few out there, but whether they have that desire would remain to be seen.
More Independent voters in Arizona may be ready to declare themselves to a Party and they should be pursued to re-register in this State.
I have one last suggestion, and it would lead to an increased and more engaged voter in Primaries, and that is to place 50% of all ballot Propositions on the Primary Ballots to encourage and give a reason for more voters to come to the polls, especially if they do not have candidates in races. (This will also help Parties to identify voters simpathetic to their cause for general election targeting).
This was a terrific election for Democrats, but now all elected Democrats must earn the trust and respect of the public. This is what I am most looking forward to seeing over the next 2 years.
First of all, it appears that the far religious right agenda may not only be dead nationally, but dead in this State as well. There are several things that are encouraging about this, and some of them will be of a benefit to the church. First of all, churches need to focus on their real mission in life, and that is not promoting political agendas. Government in America is designed to work for all people, and not just for the few. This means that the government must take a broader outlook to promote life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and not push laws that restrict such freedom.
The defeat of prop 107 is a prime example.
In addition, it seems that voters are very compassionate in Arizona, as long as you are here legally, or don't happen to smoke. Voters in Arizona and elsewhere will not tolerate corrpuption, or other misconduct, and this crosses Party lines.
Voters also need to have a compelling reason to vote someone out of office, and a compelling reason to vote someone in. There were several campaigns that had difficulty making this case to many voters. In addition, many Arizona voters will cross party lines in specific races, but there are limits to the number of races where this will happen.
The Arizona Democratic party, very much needs to develop a strategy that places candidates on the ballot in each and every race regardless of the voter registration numbers by district. Finding people willing to run, and live with the short 2 year terms at a low salary is a problem.
Unfortunatley, the salary increse did not go through for Arizona legislators, but maybe the new minimum wage law can be applied, and their salaries could rise...of course, they would need to punch a timeclock.
The Arizona Democratic Party needs to become much more engaged with the Legislative Districts, and assemble ballot signature lists for potential candidates to streamline the ballot qualification process for those who wish to run.
In addition, in 2010, we need real competitve redistricting that does not capitulate to any one interest group or political Party. This will be a tall order, and is quite some time away, but it very much needs to happen.
The Arizona Democratic Party should also work to recruit "fighting Dem" candidates at the local level. I can think of a few out there, but whether they have that desire would remain to be seen.
More Independent voters in Arizona may be ready to declare themselves to a Party and they should be pursued to re-register in this State.
I have one last suggestion, and it would lead to an increased and more engaged voter in Primaries, and that is to place 50% of all ballot Propositions on the Primary Ballots to encourage and give a reason for more voters to come to the polls, especially if they do not have candidates in races. (This will also help Parties to identify voters simpathetic to their cause for general election targeting).
This was a terrific election for Democrats, but now all elected Democrats must earn the trust and respect of the public. This is what I am most looking forward to seeing over the next 2 years.
Couple of things...
1) Who in their right mind would run for public office in this under-a-microscope and twist-everything-you-say campaign environment? Jeez, if you're smart you'd never go near the process. So we get bullheaded dummies for the most part instead.
2) I'd have bet the farm that peeps in JD's district were brainless robots. Good thing I don't have a Bodog account.
3) I'd prefer more people register as Independent - the party system as it currently exists sucks. I heard Ed Rollins blather on CNN about "coming after" the Dems in 2008, blah blah blah. No mention of doing the public's work or improving anything in the country. Just about how they were going to win. This ridiculous tribal attitude has to stop, and government has to get back to actually doing things instead of being a more expensive version of voting for Homecoming King & Queen.
Posted by
Lynx56 |
10:46 PM
Answers:
1) Insane people. I know this to be true because I did it once.
2) People with money don't pay all that much attention either.
3) Register as an Independent and you will be romanced and danced by everybody...election time, I would recommend just turning off your telephone and barring the door.
Guys like Ed Rollins and others are anally focused on their jobs, which is electing people of X Party. After elections are over, I don't have a clue what purpose they serve, perhaps they should be rounded up and shot, so that others can 'move up' and get in line.
:)
Posted by
Squib aka TwistedOreo |
7:54 AM
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