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Weighing In on Politics

All I want to say is there has to be a better way.

United States election cycles have become a joke to the rest of the world, but a kind of low grade constant torture for its citizens.

We really might as well go ahead and change the whole process.  Reality shows are popular.  Why not go with the popular vote and make the election a television reality show?  I think Anderson Cooper would make a good host. Some might prefer Megyn Kelly. Each week all the candidates would have the chance to pontificate on a given topic chosen by the spin of a giant wheel.  A Vanna White type could draw names to determine the order of appearance. Or perhaps there could be some kind of audience participation component. At the end of the show, the public can call, text, or tweet for their favorite candidate.

At the start of the next show the candidate with the lowest  vote tally would be eliminated, along with his or her campaign manager. We will have to come up with a new tag phrase--"You're fired!" has been done already.

And perhaps the Donald would have a little bit of advantage in this format. So there are details to be worked out, but stay with me here.

It would be no less of a circus than what we have going on right now.  And there would be the major advantage of the election process only lasting as long as one television season.

Comments

  1. BarbaraApril 19, 2016 at 2:31 PM

    I know. I know. It is so sad for us.

    ReplyDelete
  2. BarbApril 19, 2016 at 3:04 PM

    I can barely stand the hype. However, I don't like reality shows either. The reality seems to be we're doomed!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnnApril 19, 2016 at 3:13 PM

    Popular vote would be the best!!!!! All these states are so different, they need to get it right. I'm not looking forward to the next 6 months of rhetoric but at least we have the right to vote!!!
    Ann

    ReplyDelete
  4. Arkansas PattiApril 19, 2016 at 4:04 PM

    You are right, it is a joke. I'm with Ann. Popular vote should be the way and it should be universal. Delegates, super delegates and caucuses make my mind tired.

    ReplyDelete
  5. KayApril 19, 2016 at 4:35 PM

    No kidding! We might laugh at this, but the way we're doing it now feels like a circus on a reality show. And if Trump wins, the whole country will be fired or should I say fried?

    ReplyDelete
  6. joaredApril 19, 2016 at 4:45 PM

    Well, let's give this idea a try! I'd sure like to have the campaign season shortened -- compress this whole process.

    ReplyDelete
  7. LindaApril 19, 2016 at 4:47 PM

    The election process should not be so complicated voters are unable to understand clearly the process. I've tried to figure it out and just gave up in total frustration. To make matters worse each party has their own set of rules. Your plan sounds as good as any I've heard.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Linda ReederApril 19, 2016 at 5:19 PM

    Even though I laughed at this, you might be onto something.
    I actually do take politics very seriously, but there is so much misinformation out there, and so many of my fellow citizens who are so under informed or misinformed, that maybe your way they might actually learn something and make a more informed choice.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Meryl BaerApril 19, 2016 at 5:37 PM

    Maybe if everyone boycotted the elections - at least the primaries - a better way would replace the current chaos.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Misadventures of WidowhoodApril 19, 2016 at 8:09 PM

    Your idea for electing a president couldn't be any worse than we're going through right now. What a mess!

    I don't know how long ago your lost your husband but we have that and the love of writing in common. I'm enjoying your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  11. susie @ persimmon moon cottageApril 19, 2016 at 8:10 PM

    So many millions of dollars slipping around with the system we have now. I doubt if the situation will change any time in the near future. It's too bad, though. Surely there must be a better way than what we are doing now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OlgaApril 20, 2016 at 10:06 AM

      The rejected candidate should have to turn over any remaining campaign funds. I'm thinking to fund PBS would be good.

      Delete
  12. TomApril 19, 2016 at 8:32 PM

    I fear thus it's always been. The only difference between now and a hundred years ago is that everything is now magnified by the media. But look on the bright side -- at least you've kept your sense of humor!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OlgaApril 20, 2016 at 10:12 AM

      Only because I tend to have a rather sick sense of humor.

      Delete
  13. SakuApril 19, 2016 at 11:46 PM

    As a Canadian watching with some amusement (and trepidation), I really like your idea. It seems to me the election process in the States has been on-going for at least a year. In the meantime, we've had both a federal and several provincial elections. A 13 week event for President could be quite entertaining.

    Frankly, I don't understand the process because all the focus seems to be on the presidential candidates - are there not representatives elected too? Maybe that part of the election doesn't happen until later, after the leadership has been decided.

    ReplyDelete
  14. BettyApril 19, 2016 at 11:48 PM

    I think a good place to start would be getting rid of the caucuses. Our national elections are too important. The state parties shouldn't hold elections "on the cheap."

    ReplyDelete
  15. TaborApril 20, 2016 at 9:22 AM

    I like your idea. We could have some computer geeks or MIT types to verify any facts that the candidate states and call them out on the spot or get down into the weeds of the fact which we never do.

    ReplyDelete
  16. joehApril 20, 2016 at 10:02 AM

    How about "Please pack your promises and go."

    ReplyDelete
  17. fiftyoddApril 20, 2016 at 11:22 AM

    Oh, I think South Africa beats the US in the definition of election 'circus'. Our elected president had something like 800 criminal charges against him before he was elected and a large number afterwards - all dismissed.

    ReplyDelete
  18. UnknownApril 20, 2016 at 12:57 PM

    It is a circus and it is embarrassing.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Granny AnnieApril 21, 2016 at 6:23 AM

    I try to stay away from this subject but I must say you have captured my interest with this idea. A phone in or text in to vote them on or off. That sound great and certainly wouldn't cost as much as these long campaigns do.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Jenn JilksApril 25, 2016 at 4:02 PM

    It sure is a joke. We have had the same thing, too. Sick of it!

    ReplyDelete

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