I worry that the voting process seems to discourage people from voting as much as possible.
Ironically, I think that's good.
One of the reasons we end up with such horrible choices for politicians, is because the politicians know they can say the dumbest things, do the dumbest actions, and Joe Blow Six-Pack, will vote for them.
The only way we are ever going to get sanity in the election system, is if only smart, informed, dedicated people are voting. As long as the vast ignorant people vote, then literally anyone anywhere can run for office, and as long as they lie through their teeth, they can dupe the public into anything.
The example that remains to this day, as the biggest wake up call for me.... was 2000.
Most of you don't remember this.
Al Gore did something incredible, and amazing at the DNC convention. He in one moment, swung the polls 16 points in his favor. Literally millions of people switched their vote, in a moment.
Do any of you remember what it was? What the amazing argument he gave? What incredible policy choice he announced? Do you remember?
Video: Happy Times: The Great Gore Kiss
Here it is....... he kissed..... his wife.
16 point swing in the poll numbers. Kissing wife. That was his amazing policy. His incredible argument. Kissed.... the wife.
Now.... I'm all for kissing wives. I think that's a great idea.
But this is an election for the president of the United States of America. Do we determine who is going to control the worlds super-power based on whether they kiss their wife on TV?
And the answer is..... YES!
Gore's Summer Surprise
As he arrived at the podium, Gore got the viewers' attention with a passionate kiss. The simple act of kissing his wife may have done more to appeal to undecided women voters than all of Stanley Greenberg's polls and position papers. In a few seconds (it seemed more like a few minutes), Gore had somehow transformed himself from ponderous panderer to sex symbol.
Now as crazy as that sounds, it is in fact true. Back at that time, I used to listen to Rush Limbaugh, and Rush opened up the phones specifically to ask people why the polls jumped 16 points during that night at the convention. Anyone who changed their minds, should call in and explain why.
Sure enough... call....after call.... after call... of people calling in "Yes the kiss changed my mind! Al Gore is the candidate for me!".
I heard it. I met people who said it.
And you think asking people for voter ID might discourage a few from voting? GOOD! Fantastic. The more stupid people, voting based on idiocracy, the better. Idiocracy isn't just a movie, it's a documentary, and it started in 2000 for me. I watched it happen.