Two-Party Tandem

Another cartoon from Randy Miller at the Utah League of Independent Voters: "on a bicycle built for two . . . parties" . . . .

Lawmaker For Sale: One Utah State Senator, Used

It is a widely held belief that our elected representatives are bought and paid for by the highest bidder.  But what if you tried to sell yours off along with some of the other junk you might have lying around the house?  Are you confident that you'd find a buyer?  "Who in their right mind would pay for them?" you might ask yourself before you set up your political garage sale.  Indeed, you might even wonder if you'd have to pay someone else to come and take them off your hands.  Well, it seems that Randy Miller from the Utah League of Independent Voters may well find out.  He put his State Senator, Jerry Stevenson, up for sale on eBay last Friday to protest a political system that puts party before people and raise some funds for his fledgling political organization.  From this week's column at CAIVN:

Bidding opened early last Friday on an eBay auction for Utah State Sen. Jerry Stevenson.  The seller was Randy Miller, founder and president of the Utah League of Independent Voters.  Judging from the original listing, which has since been deleted by eBay, Miller was not confident that he would find a buyer.  Indeed, he even warned: “Buyer beware. This toy is broken. I wish it would be recalled. It is a representative that does not represent.”  The opening price for Sen. Stevenson was just one penny, and the seller stated that he would even consider a simple trade for a representative that represents the people of its district rather than the interests of its party. . . .

By Friday afternoon, word of the auction began spreading in local media, the Independent blogosphere and on Twitter. Before eBay deleted the listing, it had received hundreds of views, and 19 bids had been placed for State Sen. Stevenson. The highest bid was for $305.  Encouraged, Miller added a listing for his State Representative, Brad Wilson, in a parallel Dutch-style auction.  Of course, Miller had no intention of “selling” the Senator or the Representative.  As he wrote in the listing, all proceeds would be used to support and expand outreach efforts for the Utah League of Independent Voters.  In that regard, the media stunt was a great success.  Miller says he received pledges totaling almost $1000, and there is now a movement to transform ULiV into an officially recognized political action committee. . . . .

Read the whole thing.  The action caused a small stir in the local press, the Independent political blogosphere and on Twitter, and even provoked a response from the Senator himself.  The listing, however, was deleted by eBay in short order.  Yet Randy was undeterred.  He's put Sen. Stevenson back up for sale at boocoo.com, an eBay rival.  The current price is listed as $0.01.  The reader can decide if that's a bargain or a ripoff.  But, in either case, you might still consider making a donation to the ULiV.  Randy was kind enough to answer some questions about his media stunt and the mission of the ULiV for an e-interview with Third Party and Independent Daily.  He states:

Generally, the GOP in Utah thinks they have been given some magic mandate from the people of Utah and they have taken a number of measures for the last 3-4 years to constrict the political process and set themselves up as a 'merchant in the temple' whereby to participate in the political process, one must go through them . . . . The mission of ULiV is to open up the democratic process to the people to whom our government rightfully belongs--the people. We are not concerned about ideological differences. I am not concerned if the voice of the people goes in a direction that I think is imprudent or doesn't fit with my ideology. The mission of ULiV is to act as a voice for the nearly 800,000 strong, 51.5% plus majority of Independent voters in Utah.

The American Political Zoo

Not too long after Randy Miller, founder of the Utah League of Independent Voters, began publishing a series of original independent political cartoons at the ULIV blog, I contacted him to ask if he takes requests and he was happy to oblige:

Thanks Randy!  If anyone else out there is independently-minded and artistically inclined, I'd gladly relay any of your political cartoons at Poli-Tea and TPID.

The Two-Party Wrecking Crew

Randy Miller, founder of the Utah League of Independent Voters, has begun publishing a series of original independent political cartoons at the ULIV blog and The Hankster.  This one is spot-on:  

Utah League of Independent Voters Launches Online Debate for Candidates in 3rd Congressional District

On Sunday, I mentioned that the Utah League of Independent Voters would be organizing an online, Facebook-based debate featuring third party and independent candidates for office in Utah's third congressional district. It turns out I was a bit behind the curve, because the debate was already underway! Indeed, the ground rules for the Utah 3rd Congressional District Online Debate 2010 were set on April 30th. The first rule is likely to ensure an interesting and engaging discussion: "Better than live debates, candidates are not timed! Type as fast or slow as you like!" Thus far two topic threads have been started, one on publicly funded elections, the other on the war on drugs. Upcoming topics are said to include "gay marriage, foreign policy, immigration, taxation, congressional apportionment, veterans affairs, workers rights, Afghanistan & Iraq."

According to Politics1-Utah, there are five declared candidates in this race: incumbent Republican Jason Chaffetz, Democrat Karen Hyer, Douglas Sligting of the Constitution Party, Libertarian Jake Shannon and Independent Joe Puente. Of these five, Shannon and Puente have already joined the debate and, as per an announcement on the Facebook page wall, Sligting has responded favorably to the idea. I sent emails to the Chaffetz and Hyer campaigns to inquire whether they would be participating in the forum. The Chaffetz campaign has not responded, but a representative of the Hyer campaign seemed open to the idea and stated they would be contacting the ULIV to find out more details.

The ULIV has created what looks to be a fascinating experiment in independent political organizing, facilitating debate and discussion and bypassing the mainstream media's duopolist filter by reaching out directly to candidates, voters and outside observers alike. But what about districts 1 and 2?

UT: Independents Seek to Contain the Disaster that is Democratic-Republican Party Government

Randy Miller of the Utah League of Independent Voters has another guest post at the Hankster in which he explains his falling out with the Republican and Democratic parties and tells how he came to be an independent activist. I've also heard word that Randy is currently in the process of organizing a Facebook-based debate between the third party and independent candidates in Utah's 3rd Congressional District: Joe Puente (I), Jake Shannon (L) and Douglas Sligting (C). More details to follow when they become available.

50% of voters in Utah are registered independents. Dave Glissmeyer, an independent candidate for US House in the state's 2nd Congressional District, argues that it is time for Americans to "stop voting for the Republicans and Democrats who are running the bus over the cliff":

Let me ask you one simple question: “Do you want your government run by men and women who are more worried about their political career than simply doing the right thing?” My guess is your answer is “No.” If so, why are you reluctant to break away from the archaic two Party duopoly and help bring in new people with fresh ideas? Voters, the only way for THAT to HAPPEN is for YOU to vote for candidates who care not about getting re-elected but are focused on getting the job done . . .

If you, the voter, are truly disgusted with your government and want it to operate differently, more effectively, more efficiently, then you need to STOP VOTING FOR THE REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS WHO ARE RUNNING THE BUS OVER THE CLIFF. Unless you’re willing to stand up and call out for something different this coming election, you’ll be wasting your vote . . .

A major reason Obama was elected was due to the great amount of disappointment and disillusionment with President Bush’s Republican Administration. Now, less than two years later, the Democratic leadership has become just as disappointing and many are considering going BACK to the Republicans they just voted out as the solution. Voters, that’s NOT a solution. It’s madness.

Both Parties have shown reckless abandon when it comes to spending your tax dollars. Both Parties are more interested in gaining or re-gaining power than they are your opinion. Both Parties create conflicts of interest (warping law) because of this money they actively solicit. Both Parties pander for large cash donations from special groups and ignore you, the citizen. Are you ready for something different yet?

Thanks to Randy for the link.