Oct 23 2008
The Absentee Ballot, Campaign Spending & Palin
I just recently received my absentee ballot and booklet for California. The booklet is like reading through War and Peace with all of it’s measures and propositions. What struck me while looking at the ballot is that there are four other party tickets listed for President and VP. One of which is a San Francisco Supervisor. I never even heard that he, Matt Gonzalez was named as VP choice along with Ralph Nader in the Peace and freedom party. There’s also the Libertarian, Green and American Independent parties. Did any of you ever hear who was running on these tickets? I know I didn’t. I just think it’s really sad that the elite with money are the top two parties so therefore those are basically our only choices because the others would never win? I can tell you right now that Matt Gonzalez as VP would be a much better Vice President than Sarah Palin. I seriously think there should be a cap on campaign spending - a low cap. I would have loved to hear all of these different nominees during the debates. It annoys me that we did not have that chance.
Joe Biden was recently in San Francisco speaking at a $5,000 a plate fundraiser in the Seacliff district home of a well known CEO. He raised hundreds of thousands of dollars at that fundraiser. They all do this and raise exorbitant amounts of money so that they can remain in the race and I just don’t think it is fair to others who are running and don’t have the powerful and wealthy backers to fund their campaigns. Not to mention when I heard of Biden’s trip here I thought to myself even if I had that kind of money I don’t think I’d spend $5,000 to hear anyone speak. Plus, for that kind of money the food better be good and allow me to leave with many doggie bags. Spending so much money on campaigns and negative ones at that during a recession, when many of us can barely buy food and pay bills is just sickening. Changes really do need to be made.
As for Palin and her $150,000 shopping spree for her and her family well it’s something she had to do. I mean she couldn’t very well show up on the campaign trail with camouflage sweats and a hunting rifle now could she? Little sarcasm there. Joy Behar of the view said it best “before she was shooting her clothes, now she can buy them.”
I agree that there needs to be change. Not Obama though. I agree there should be a limit on spending also, but that wouldn’t help Obama. I like how we make a big deal out of clothes that Palin never picked out and never bought. These items were bought for her, and some will be given to charity. If you take advice or talking points from Joy Behar I feel sorry for you.
The only candidate for change is Obama. As far as Palin’s clothes it doesn’t matter who chose them. And as far as Joy Behar that was a humorous statement of which I thought was funny. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Thanks for the comment! Let’s hope that when a change arises… it’s a good one!
I wrote 10 days ago about the six parties running candidates for president and vice president on the California ballot. The ballot pamphlet is large. Don’t forget the supplemental pamphlet that includes Proposition 1A.
Those people weren’t paying to hear Biden speak at the fundraiser. They were paying for future access to Biden and his boss. One bill worth millions will make all the donations seem like great investments.
A student group at Columbia University in New York tried to arrange a debate for all six presidential debates. The debate was scheduled for Oct. 19. John McCain and Barack Obama never responded since they don’t have any intention of being near the other candidates and bolstering their status. Bob Barr said he had a scheduling conflict. Cynthia McKinney decided to attend a Black Panther meeting in Atlanta that day instead. Alan Keyes backed out at the last minute. Once Ralph Nader saw everyone else would be a no-show, he didn’t attend either. So the event was canceled.
xzchief - that’s really too bad. I would have wanted all of them debating. Thanks for reading.