Student Voices, Philadelphia reports:
At least 11 Philadelphia legislators face opposition in the May 16 primary, the largest number of intraparty challenges since 1988.But the deadline for candidates to seek spots on the May primary ballot passed yesterday without the widespread anti-incumbent fervor described in other parts of the state.
Out of 26 state House and Senate members seeking re-election, it appears fewer than half will face primary challenges, according to an unofficial list of candidates posted on the Internet last night by the Pennsylvania Department of State.
I have seen other signs around the country that the anti-incumbent movement may be limited by a lack of challengers. A lack of challengers means voters staying at home for want of a candidate to vote for.
d.a.n said at :
10:30 AM, 03 22 2006 | Permalink
Pennsylvania voters seem to be waking up to the corruption in government.
If only voters nationwide could too.
And, if only voters could always remain vigilant, every election, and always vote out irresponsible incubents, and not allow their hard-won progress to always be undone, always allowing corruption to start growing again, never following through to simplify over-complicated processes, and create more transparency.
d.a.n | March 22, 2006 10:30 AM
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David R. Remer said at :
12:23 AM, 03 23 2006 | Permalink
In Pa. it was the middle of the night pay raise without public awareness or pre-announcement that raised the anti-incumbent ire of the people.
All of us who can, must make the incomprehensible debt numbers of he U.S. comprehensible to voters. It will have he same effect.
I commend you Dan on your many efforts and successes in making the incomprehensible 9 trillion dollar national debt meaningful to voters at WatchBlog and on your own site.
David R. Remer | March 23, 2006 12:23 AM
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d.a.n said at :
9:00 PM, 03 23 2006 | Permalink
Thanks David,
Thank you for all of your very hard work running VOID and watchblog.
I was just (a few minutes ago) discussing (via E-Mail) with my father-in-law ways to get people to care. He stated:
_________________________
Okay. How does the National Debt and GDP relate to the common man...say Mike, or Debra, or Jeff? How do you get the word to them how it will hurt them in the pocketbook? And the dollar's purchasing power in relationship to their paycheck, or perhaps even more interesting, to their retirement? Clyde
_________________________
I responded as follows:
Clyde,
Education is the key.
And, a little fear can help get their attention.
Unfortunately, most of us will get educated after it is too late.
Pain is what drives change.
When the corruption becomes too painful,
people will act or vote to bring about less pain.
Unfortunately, pain is a lagging indicator to irresponsible fiscal policy.
I'm starting to understand why many politicians have
such a disdain of voters, who tolerate all of it.
All I can ask people to do is simply consider the following pressing problems, and ask themselves what their life will be like in the next great depression.
Because it is not that far fetched.
Do we have to keep learning the hard way?
Of course, I have no delusions.
It's unlikely to ever happen in my lifetime.
But, having hope is better than none, because
doing nothing will solve nothing.
For me, it is a no-brainer.
It is all crystal clear to me now.
I see, how for 47 years, I've been suckered. No more.
From here on out, the goal is to try to Educate,
and try to persuade voters to do the one simple,
responsible thing they were supposed to be doing
all along: vote out (or recall) irresponsible incumbents,
always.
These days, that's most (if not all) incumbents. Today, it is easier than ever to look at voting records, and they are very revealing. Nobody will answer my challenge (posted on the internet for months) to list 10, 20, 50, or even 268 (half of 535) in Congress that are responsible and accountable.
And, while I'm at it, I invite people to simply read my
One-Simple-Idea web-site, and visit http://VOIDnow.org
I'm not sure what one person like me can do, but
this is the information age, and I can help spread
information. I have reached a few people, and receive E-Mails occasionally from people that thank me for my web-site and praise the VOID organization too. Some give me ideas and opinions.
Daniel Summars
d.a.n | March 23, 2006 9:00 PM
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steve smith said at :
9:31 AM, 03 24 2006 | Permalink
We must move rapidly and decisively into geographical areas with situations similar to the one described in your piece and begin to disseminate information so that no voter will stay at home for lack of an anti-incumbent choice.
steve smith | March 24, 2006 9:31 AM
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