>Hi Elmer,
>
>>I sometimes wonder if it wouldn't be better to eliminate all political contributions and special interest lobbys, provide equal time on public media for political candidates so that you wouldn't have be rich, well connected, corrupt or otherwise and have a one term limit on every public office so that you only have one term to either do good or you can only screw things up for a short period of time. Also leaders shouldn't have a vote on their compensation and benefits. Should be by voters only. But then that wouldn't be American would it?
>
>No, it then would be like the dutch elections. Anyone up here could start their onw political party. An example of a gay guy in 2002, that went into politics and wanted to change the political arena in holland, almost got prime minister up here, wasn't it for the fact he was shot dead a week before the elections (yes we've got our political murders too).
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>Walter,

I really don't want to change the system as it has worked pretty well for most of history. It just gets really frustrating that only the filthy rich, well connected, corrupt guys can get on the ballot and as a result, we have only the lessor of the 2 or 3 evils to choose from. It might get better if voters took more interest and really checked out what each of the candidates are really like. Unfortunately it seems that too many voters have the intellect of a peanut, will believe or can be easily swayed by preaching fear or pandering to their hot button issues and can't seem remember past what they had for breakfast this morning.