We need a better opposition party
Someone's else's name here. Please.
Standing at the voting booth today, looking at all the unopposed races, we thought: Albany needs a better opposition party -- whether it's Republicans, Greens, Technocrats, the Party Party. Something, anything to make the Democrats at least have to earn it.
You know, there's a small mischievous thrill from voting "none of the above" as a write-in, but it doesn't really help anything. And voting for voting's sake is hollow.
Say Something!
We'd really like you to take part in the conversation here at All Over Albany. But we do have a few rules here. Don't worry, they're easy. The first: be kind. The second: treat everyone else with the same respect you'd like to see in return. Cool? Great, post away. Comments are moderated so it might take a little while for your comment to show up. Thanks for being patient.
Comments
And for that matter, how did the Working Families Party endorse the same candidate as the Conservative Party??
... said Andrew on Nov 8, 2011 at 6:00 PM | link
it IS helpful! It's better than staying home because you're disillusioned; it shows that voter apathy can mean more than laziness. Could you imagine if "None of the Above" made a dent?!
... said Herman Melvillain on Nov 8, 2011 at 6:23 PM | link
I hereby announce my candidacy for any otherwise unopposed office in the 2012 elections.
In 2011 I received at least two write in votes in Rensselaer County. That has to qualify me for something.
... said komradebob on Nov 8, 2011 at 7:01 PM | link
I agree with Herman. It is better to record a no vote or a write in. But for it to matter folks have to let those in charge know thaty it is an organized effort.
... said Bill on Nov 8, 2011 at 7:24 PM | link
It's the opposite further upstate. Good luck finding a Democratic challenger to the Republicans up here in the Glens Falls area.
... said Azurecobalt on Nov 8, 2011 at 7:35 PM | link
I don't know if I agree with your argument. We see what happens when democrats have to "earn it". They move to the so-called center & start acting like republicans. I wouldn't want that here. I love that Albany makes it easy for progressive politics to flourish. At least, in theory.
... said Arielle on Nov 8, 2011 at 7:46 PM | link
Any time one political party exists in a vacuum is bad for the people.
Having Mayors for life is bad for the people. (Only 3 in the last 70 years!)
Anyone who doesn't understand this and cheers because their Red Team/Blue Team gets all the power is ignorant of human behavior.
... said Ike on Nov 8, 2011 at 8:38 PM | link
Albany may make it easy for progressive politics to flourish, but it would be better if it would work more on the populace flourishing instead. ;-)
... said James on Nov 8, 2011 at 9:01 PM | link
We Greens have a ballot line now, and when we run candidates we have come close to beating the Democratic dictatorship here in Albany. If people are interested in running an anti-machine, anti-Democratic monopoly campaign in Albany on the Green line and accept Green values of grassroots democracy, social and economic justice, nonviolence, and ecology they should contact us at www.gpnys.org.
... said Albanygreen on Nov 8, 2011 at 10:34 PM | link
I actually did write-in None of the Above for the uncontested races. There's pressure in India to institute it as a default option:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elections_in_India#.22None_of_the_above.22_voting_option
It would make it so that the parties would have to send better candidates to the table. It would make a huge change in the United States, and for that reason it's unlikely to be implemented without a huge fight.
OR a sizable minority of write-ins.
In good news, Mackey lost!
... said mr slow loris on Nov 8, 2011 at 11:02 PM | link
"I love that Albany makes it easy for progressive politics to flourish"
If you are wondering why we have problems in Albany, look no further than this comment. Apparently we have a flourishing progressive paradise here in Albany. Why would we want to change that?
... said Code Monkey on Nov 9, 2011 at 7:35 AM | link
I have no idea who the guy was running on the "South Troy Against The World" partly line, but he has my vote.
... said Tim on Nov 9, 2011 at 9:12 AM | link
I didn't vote for any uncontested races last night. It was discouraging. I should've added a write-in candidate for each.
... said Valerae on Nov 9, 2011 at 10:23 AM | link
When I looked at the ballot I lamented, "I put on pants for this?"
... said KatherineSass on Nov 9, 2011 at 10:34 AM | link
The rent is too damn high!
... said Barold on Nov 9, 2011 at 11:18 AM | link
I LOVE KatherineSass' comment. I could have let my voice be heard in a more useful way by occupying somewhere last night.
... said James Frederick on Nov 9, 2011 at 11:58 AM | link
And they said the machine was dead.
... said E.C. II on Nov 9, 2011 at 8:26 PM | link