As a practical means to “get off our asses” when it comes to elections I would like to offer two necessary processes:
1.) Demand that every city, county, and state election agency maintain and push out a list of every candidate who runs for public office immediately upon their admission to the ballot. The list must contain complete, direct contact information for the candidate. Once the voter has this information, it is incumbent upon him to ask questions of each candidate that touch upon their fundamental outlook on government. In fact, it would be better to demand answers as a condition for appearing on the ballot. Not on policy questions, but questions that will lay bare how they think of their office and its impact on American life and culture. Publish their answers, or lack thereof in a nationwide resource available to anyone who cares to investigate a candidate’s outlook and intentions. Of utmost importance is to ask questions that reveal the level of their fidelity to the Constitution and do not accept platitudes.
2.) Every state should look at their constitution and see to it that voting orivileges are not administered until a voter can demonstrate familiarity with basic civics as practiced in their respective state. This is not a literacy test any more than a driving test is. Nor does it require revelation of partisan leanings. It is simply a matter of competency where it matters most, namely in maintaining civil order as we secure basic rights for ourselves and our posterity.
I’m sympathetic but 2) it’s still at literary test under another guise.
Well said. Too much voting on emotion and name recognition. Times have changed. Time to pay more attention to who is representing us on every level.
Especially the local level. They’re as bad as anyone in DC and do it while sitting next to you at the local diner begging for your vote.