The talk-show heads say our country is falling apart, going to the dogs so to speak, as no one can agree or is willing to compromise or even negotiate with the other side.
There doesn’t seem to be any middle-of-the-roaders who can talk to or handle the far right or left believers or should I call them the current cult leaders who say, either believe as I do, or I will ruin you.
I feel helpless. The conservatives say we are and should always be a country founded on the constitution and the laws of the land. Right! Sounds good, but the laws are being ignored. Wrong-doers are not being punished. And there doesn’t seem to be anything an average person can do about it.
Vote they keep saying. Exercise your right to have your voice heard. Right! But who to vote for is the real problem. Once again there are no “average Joes or Janes” in the mix. Only running are those affiliated with a national party.
What to do? Hmm, I suppose I could run for an office. After all it is the elected officers that make the rules that we all are suppose to live by.
How to run for an office? Sounds simple just get your name on the ballot. Yeah. Again right!
It turns out there are rules one must follow to even get on the ballot. And to get on a ballot you also have to meet the rules regarding the primaries, caucuses and general elections rules.
So, I checked with the state and was told there are three basic methods by which an individual may become a candidate for office in a state.
An individual can seek the nomination of a state-recognized political party. An individual can run as an independent. Independent candidates often must petition in order to have their names printed on the general election ballot. An individual can run as a write-in candidate.
Rules and more rules: Take number 1 – I would have to become either a Democrat or a Republican and accept their rules or they would not help me… and more importantly they would not endorse me or give me any money to run a campaign.
As to number 3, to even get on the ballot as a write-in takes money that of course, I don’t have.
Now number 2, run as an independent might work, however here I would need at least 1,500 signatures and here’s the catch, from a recognized political party.
There doesn’t seem to be a chance in hell that an average person, with no money, can ever hope to be elected or to have a chance to change any of the laws.
No wonder people are discouraged and disgusted with Congress and all our elected officials. There doesn’t seem to be any way to break the current system.
Too bad we can’t find a middle-of-the-roader who is also a millionaire. Would that work?
Sue Viders is an international seminar speaker, a writing teacher at South Suburban and resident of Lone Tree.