Matthew Best has decided to expand his blogging duties and has a new endeavor called Courage of Conviction. I don't know how he does it all. He is doing a series of posts about the Roadmap to Reform sponsored by Democracy Rising. I plan to join in. Today he comments on the ridiculous signature requiements for third party candidates. I couldn't agree more. Why should Carl Romanelli or Russ Diamond have to get 67,000 signatures just to get on the ballot? The Democratic and Republican candidates need far less. As Matt says:
Having a level playing field for all citizens to enter the political arena makes our political discussion more about issues than about personal attacks as well. When there are more people running for the same office, each candidate needs to clearly define who they are, what they stand for, what they as needing change, and what they want to do about it. More candidates in an election allows candidates to be who they truly are, not dodging issues or speaking in some obtuse manner in order to no offend certain constituencies.
I've been on the streets for more than a week solid -- and got more than 500 signatures. It is work. And, I've got it easy. I'm asking people to sign for ME as I'M on the ballot. They get to meet the candidate, not some faceless other person from a distant part of the state.
ReplyDeleteWe need to fix these ballot access restrictions.
Mark, Thanks for comming by. What are you running for?
ReplyDelete