The Coming Election
When it existed, I was a fan of the Ann Arbor News' election guide. Like most election guides, it sent questionnaires to candidates, and published the responses. In the wake of the News' demise, it looks like its successor, annarbor.com, has an election guide that's at least as good -- for political geek comedy. (Unfortunately, the way it's set up, I can't give you a link that would reliably give you the view I see.)
A decade ago, one of the comedic staples was the challenge of the questions by various third party candidates. The Libertarians, for example, quite often tried to explain why their arrests for drug possession weren't disqualifiers. Today, the Republican running for the State House (Chase Ingersoll, District 53) says, in part:
Education/Degrees: WDYTTIR? Why do you think this is relevant? . . .
Experience: 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. . .
Why are you seeking election or re-election?
Chase Ingersoll: I always thanked Ron Paul for running, even though he and everyone else knew that he was not going to win. . .
I am sooo impressed by the anti-education rant. NOT. As far as I can tell from your response, you might be a kindergarten dropout who eventually learned to spell.
Also, "private sector non union" doesn't tell me jack about what you've done with your life. Other than having been so addicted to something that you cite (I presume -- let's be kind here) successful completion of a 12-step program. Let's face it, a reformed drug kingpin could honestly give the answer you gave.
Running for office because you are a Ron Paul fanboy will be convincing . . . to other Ron Paul fanboys. Maybe. But nobody else.
In summary: Duuude. Are you trying to lose?
In a similar vein, we have the Republican running for Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners District 11, Joe Baublis. Joe lists his profession as "Handyman, Real Estate Broker, Limited Appraiser," and his picture has the protest sign he was carrying clearly legible -- a decade ago, a staple of the Green/Socialist parties. Reading farther, we see:
Marital Status: Marital status is a class protected by civil rights laws. After decades of struggle to free the people from the bondage of unwarranted discrimination I deeply regret to find AnnArbor.com still inquiring into such information. I refuse to comply.
Family: Familial status is a class protected by civil rights laws. AnnArbor.com is in err to request this information. . .
Experience: Demanded -in pro per- a jury trial in Washtenaw County Circuit Court to determine extent of alleged fraud on the court, summarily dismissed with sanctions; Appealed - in pro per - in State of Michigan's Court of Appeals and Supreme Court to grant me a jury trial in compliance with State and Federal Constitutions and Michigan Court Rules - and under the theory that the so-called "oath of office" sworn to by the Appellate and Supreme court justices obligated them all to provide me with my jury trial - DENIED. . .
Community Involvement: Protested at . . .
What do you want voters to know about you?
Joe Baublis: I want the voters to know that I have been arguing against the "government" as an individual for many years. . .
Well. A decade ago, these responses would have fit well in the Libertarian/Socialist/Green parties. If one had ill intent, one could read gay/polygamist/loner (but only because nobody will put up with you) in the marital/family response. Bragging about the court cases one lost was a left-wing staple a decade ago, as was citing one's history of protests. One could easily conclude you were a professional protester with no real-world experience from these responses.
There may be more to come, as at least a dozen candidates either have not yet answered, or their answers have not yet been posted. But I find it interesting that, as of just now, all the "apparent lunatic fringe" responses come from the Republican nominee.
A decade ago, one of the comedic staples was the challenge of the questions by various third party candidates. The Libertarians, for example, quite often tried to explain why their arrests for drug possession weren't disqualifiers. Today, the Republican running for the State House (Chase Ingersoll, District 53) says, in part:
Education/Degrees: WDYTTIR? Why do you think this is relevant? . . .
Experience: 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. . .
Why are you seeking election or re-election?
Chase Ingersoll: I always thanked Ron Paul for running, even though he and everyone else knew that he was not going to win. . .
I am sooo impressed by the anti-education rant. NOT. As far as I can tell from your response, you might be a kindergarten dropout who eventually learned to spell.
Also, "private sector non union" doesn't tell me jack about what you've done with your life. Other than having been so addicted to something that you cite (I presume -- let's be kind here) successful completion of a 12-step program. Let's face it, a reformed drug kingpin could honestly give the answer you gave.
Running for office because you are a Ron Paul fanboy will be convincing . . . to other Ron Paul fanboys. Maybe. But nobody else.
In summary: Duuude. Are you trying to lose?
In a similar vein, we have the Republican running for Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners District 11, Joe Baublis. Joe lists his profession as "Handyman, Real Estate Broker, Limited Appraiser," and his picture has the protest sign he was carrying clearly legible -- a decade ago, a staple of the Green/Socialist parties. Reading farther, we see:
Marital Status: Marital status is a class protected by civil rights laws. After decades of struggle to free the people from the bondage of unwarranted discrimination I deeply regret to find AnnArbor.com still inquiring into such information. I refuse to comply.
Family: Familial status is a class protected by civil rights laws. AnnArbor.com is in err to request this information. . .
Experience: Demanded -in pro per- a jury trial in Washtenaw County Circuit Court to determine extent of alleged fraud on the court, summarily dismissed with sanctions; Appealed - in pro per - in State of Michigan's Court of Appeals and Supreme Court to grant me a jury trial in compliance with State and Federal Constitutions and Michigan Court Rules - and under the theory that the so-called "oath of office" sworn to by the Appellate and Supreme court justices obligated them all to provide me with my jury trial - DENIED. . .
Community Involvement: Protested at . . .
What do you want voters to know about you?
Joe Baublis: I want the voters to know that I have been arguing against the "government" as an individual for many years. . .
Well. A decade ago, these responses would have fit well in the Libertarian/Socialist/Green parties. If one had ill intent, one could read gay/polygamist/loner (but only because nobody will put up with you) in the marital/family response. Bragging about the court cases one lost was a left-wing staple a decade ago, as was citing one's history of protests. One could easily conclude you were a professional protester with no real-world experience from these responses.
There may be more to come, as at least a dozen candidates either have not yet answered, or their answers have not yet been posted. But I find it interesting that, as of just now, all the "apparent lunatic fringe" responses come from the Republican nominee.