tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15329279.post6007544977581624958..comments2023-08-25T05:18:29.312-06:00Comments on Madville Times: Votes from the Fringe: Stacey Outpolls Markingcaheidelbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03261598066395322681noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15329279.post-88090559495322761342010-11-04T07:22:59.858-06:002010-11-04T07:22:59.858-06:00Michael, I thought Marking might contribute more t...Michael, I thought Marking might contribute more to the campaign than he did. I always hold out hope that the third party candidate will really break out, challenge the status quo, and make things interesting. Marking let me down. His position on following the majority did sound wishy washy, although if he could use his online voting system to promote political dialogue and citizen engagement, that would be a good thing. He didn't sound much more prepared to talk issues than, well, I or any other casual blogger. His national sales tax advocacy made no sense (he said lifting the tax on all the other things that drive the economy, like investments and income, ignored the fact that consumption drives the economy, too). Marking never came across as being sufficiently knowledgeable or dynamic to be the leader of a statewide political conversation. And heck, if he wanted civic engagement, where was his blog? He could have used the Internet much more to level the playing field and engage voters. <a href="http://sdindie21.org/" rel="nofollow">His website</a> had no Web 2.0 capability. No blog, no comment section, no user input other than a traditional email, no Facebook page or other interactive option. (Noem even had Facebook and allowed vigorous dissent from opponents on her wall.) Engaging the electorate with Web tools is a great idea; we need a Representative who puts the idea into practice. <br /><br />Troy, there is nothing absurd about data on voter turnout from the Secretary of State. Even more significant than Marking's average 6% (and more than that in home counties of both major candidates) is the 30%+ who found none of the candidates worth voting for. Hm....<br /><br />The Majority: fun exchange there. Government is hard. Show me an electorate with a vast number of people who spend more time than even we bloggers do studying the policy details Congress tackles, and I'll get more comfortable with the idea of direct Web-enabled democracy. Technologically, it may be doable! Practically, folks may be too busy working for millions of us to take on the job of full-time online Congressman. I'm comfortable with a representative making the case to the public that, "You know what, everyone? You're wrong, and here's why... and here's why I'm voting opposite to what the polls say." The people, of course, retain the right to vote that rebel out next time.<br /><br />I will am also eager to criticize the uninformed decisions Kristi Noem will make, no matter how many majorities of shotgun-toting equestrians ride up behind her and cheer.caheidelbergerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03261598066395322681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15329279.post-47413551569671627942010-11-04T03:48:10.681-06:002010-11-04T03:48:10.681-06:00Michael, it's not really worth arguing about m...Michael, it's not really worth arguing about much (because the majority has spoken), but your read on Marking is pretty superficial. I'd be willing to bet that you spent very little time actually talking with him. I did.<br /><br />As for your dismissal of majority rule, I find it patently amusing that you present your argument that it doesn't matter by showing me who the majority of the people voted for. <br /><br />Hilarious in fact. Thanks for the fun. I needed a laugh this morning.<br /><br />Clearly, majority opinion matters. Clearly.Bill Fleminghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08319507693205848772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15329279.post-50861754474586272402010-11-03T14:18:03.247-06:002010-11-03T14:18:03.247-06:00@Bill Fleming. I do believe Marking said that he w...@Bill Fleming. I do believe Marking said that he would vote the majority--even if it went against conscience. That is not what I, nor apparently 94% of those who voted, wish to have in a Representative.<br /><br />Further, he did not say anything about statistical ties: just the majority, IIRC. I think you may be putting more flesh on the bones of his system then he did.<br /><br />Here's the bit from his own site: "I vow to follow your lead and advocate the majority opinion of my fellow South Dakotans, whatever that may be. I will offer my insights, but you will be expected to remain engaged by providing guidance on general policies and specific legislation."Michael (Constant Conservative)http://www.constantconservative.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15329279.post-87218296321379907502010-11-03T13:25:26.577-06:002010-11-03T13:25:26.577-06:00Corey,
Do you even think before you write or do ...Corey, <br /><br />Do you even think before you write or do you just try to find something to spin to support your agenda? <br /><br />Your little Hamlin County example is absurd. You are talking about 220 people who voted for Marking. You tell me ANYBODY worth a crap who doesn't have 121 people who don't like them (what it would take for Hamlin to match SHS's number in Brown County). I could make the same case those 50 people who don't like KN personally also couldn't find themselves capable of voting for your candidate. <br /><br />Reaching broad conclusions with small numbers is a tactic of liars.<br /><br />P.S. I would never make this stupid argument/infantile attempt to make a point using your logic, but FYI: <br /><br />Kristi got a higher percentage in Brookings and Brown Counties (SHS's home counties) than SHS got in Hamlin.Troy Jonesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15329279.post-6253377980786881602010-11-03T12:47:27.358-06:002010-11-03T12:47:27.358-06:00Michael, not necessarily. It's really no diffe...Michael, not necessarily. It's really no different from polling his constituency. He'll still be obliged to vote his conscience, especially of his poll shows a statistical tie.<br /><br />But his system DOES effectively rule out paid lobbyists or at least diminish their influence.<br /><br />What would be wrong with that?Bill Fleminghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08319507693205848772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15329279.post-22159598353490758872010-11-03T12:03:24.111-06:002010-11-03T12:03:24.111-06:00If we would take Marking's approach, then ther...If we would take Marking's approach, then there is no need for him (or any other human in the process downstream from the voters). All that is needed is a computer to capture and tabulate individual votes, then let the Speaker of the House know what the majority of those votes indicates.<br /><br />That would be a direct democracy--which by law we do not have.Michael (Constant Conservative)http://www.constantconservative.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15329279.post-90950669449546652122010-11-03T09:58:45.374-06:002010-11-03T09:58:45.374-06:00But then how would we get pork, Dave?But then how would we get pork, Dave?Twitchardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06645970407139798243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15329279.post-55066499139984416942010-11-03T07:58:40.052-06:002010-11-03T07:58:40.052-06:00I think Marking would have made a great representa...I think Marking would have made a great representative for SD. No whining over this and that. No debating what's in the best interest of the people. Instead, take a vote on all the issues and whatever the majority says we want, that's what he fights for. Shouldn't that be how anyone would represent us?Dave Neunoreply@blogger.com