Comments on: Russ Feingold Wants To End Governor Appointed Senators http://donklephant.com/2009/01/26/russ-feingold-wants-to-end-governor-appointed-senators/ Big Teeth. Huge Ass. Surprisingly Reasonable. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 14:03:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: kranky kritter http://donklephant.com/2009/01/26/russ-feingold-wants-to-end-governor-appointed-senators/comment-page-1/#comment-435636 kranky kritter Tue, 27 Jan 2009 14:09:22 +0000 http://donklephant.com/?p=12984#comment-435636 I don't like the idea of appointed replacements either. But I think some less expensive options to a full-scale election (with the concurrent extra-low turnout, too!)ought to be considered, like an expedited mail-in election. Maybe candidates get a month to collect 5k signatures, and then there's a run-off, by mail (saving dough on all that show up at the local VFW stuff) and then the top 2 have a run-off 2 weeks later. Or maybe we force the state senate to figure it out. Further, I think it's a good idea to come up with some sort of penalty for elected officials who bail for greener pastures. At minimum, we should expect them to sign a pledge to serve their full term and at minimum NOT launch a campaign for another office any time soon after getting re-elected. If you are elected to a 6 year term, you should be willing to promise to serve a minimum of 3 years beofr looking toward the exit. To me, it's about a candidate demonstrating that they truly care about the actual job they are running for and the constituents they SAY they are eager to serve. I don’t like the idea of appointed replacements either. But I think some less expensive options to a full-scale election (with the concurrent extra-low turnout, too!)ought to be considered, like an expedited mail-in election. Maybe candidates get a month to collect 5k signatures, and then there’s a run-off, by mail (saving dough on all that show up at the local VFW stuff) and then the top 2 have a run-off 2 weeks later. Or maybe we force the state senate to figure it out.

Further, I think it’s a good idea to come up with some sort of penalty for elected officials who bail for greener pastures. At minimum, we should expect them to sign a pledge to serve their full term and at minimum NOT launch a campaign for another office any time soon after getting re-elected. If you are elected to a 6 year term, you should be willing to promise to serve a minimum of 3 years beofr looking toward the exit. To me, it’s about a candidate demonstrating that they truly care about the actual job they are running for and the constituents they SAY they are eager to serve.

]]> By: Ryan http://donklephant.com/2009/01/26/russ-feingold-wants-to-end-governor-appointed-senators/comment-page-1/#comment-435587 Ryan Mon, 26 Jan 2009 15:00:57 +0000 http://donklephant.com/?p=12984#comment-435587 Feingold is on to something, I think. Granted the cost of the elections is more than the cost of appointment (Blagojevich's case excepted), it is better to have elections where the democratic will of the people is reflected. In theory, this is great. I only wonder how difficult it will be to have 37 (right?) states ratify this amendment, beyond it getting stonewalled in the Senate. Feingold is on to something, I think. Granted the cost of the elections is more than the cost of appointment (Blagojevich’s case excepted), it is better to have elections where the democratic will of the people is reflected. In theory, this is great.

I only wonder how difficult it will be to have 37 (right?) states ratify this amendment, beyond it getting stonewalled in the Senate.

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