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[i.livejournal.com]

Comments

[yes-justice.livejournal.com]

I'm laughing at their superior intellect. /therealkhan

[yes-justice.livejournal.com]

Even time I've failed to do a job, I didn't get a free pass, I lost the job.

[i.livejournal.com]

My congressman (allegedly a Democrat) voted for the shutdown. I did not support him in the last primary, and I won't support him in the next, but his opponent was pure teabagger. I would vote for him again in the general election.

[enders-shadow.livejournal.com]

And here we have why first-past-the-post is a terrible voting method.

Recently, in a local city council race, my friends district was won by an individual who got 30% of the vote. It was a 5 person race. Three of the four other candidates were all ideologically opposed to the winner, and many supporters said "Hey, so long as X doesn't win...." but the split vote gave the win to someone who more than 50% did not want.

The 5th candidate, who was ideologically in line with the winner? She came in 5th place, pulling a tiny portion of the vote; even if you add her votes to the winners, the three other candidates had more votes. Alas, winner takes all, it'd be nice to change, but I don't see it happening. =(

[i.livejournal.com]

Either the situation you describe is:

a great illustration of the problem with non-partisan elections or:

a great illustration of why voting third party is self-defeating.

In my district, if all the idiotic Green Party voters had voted instead in the Democratic primary, we could have had a much better candidate.

[enders-shadow.livejournal.com]

Twas the democratic primary.

The winner, (and the 5th place woman) were essentially republicans, and even thought about running for the seat *as* republicans.

[i.livejournal.com]

In that case, it is a perfect illustration of what happens when there isn't enough participation in primaries. Typically only 25% or less vote in them, and those are the hardcore party faithful who are less likely to vote to shake up the status quo.

[enders-shadow.livejournal.com]

With respect, I think you are confused.

This was a democratic primary. The voters chose someone who is essentially a republican.
He had lots of money, and name recognition from family members who hold/held/were running for, local office too.

[anfalicious.livejournal.com]

First past the post voting, when 7 out of 10 people want beer, you go out for coffee :P