A Loss of Democracy

on a bigger stage (0.00 / 0)

We have seen the same dynamic play out in the Senate in the last two elections.

Frank LoBiondo Record and Jon Runyan Watch

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by: Hopeful @ Wed Sep 19, 2007 at 15:12:52 PM UTC

An Elegant and Reasonable Solution To A Serious Problem (0.00 / 0)

Xpat says it all right here:

A three week primary would serve more to restore the public's confidence in its political system than all the assurances of the character of various office holders.  The outcome might be no different - in which case there would be even less reason for County chairs to oppose such a move.  The only remaining objection is cost.  For my part, I believe democracy is actually worth its cost.

Given that the problem Xpat eloquently describes is a real and serious one, (there are undesireable consequences to the thwarting/cheapening of the democratic process) and that his proposed solution is 100% right on and obvious; we should expect that it will be picked up by progressive legislators and formulated as legislation and passed post haste, right?

What's that you say?  Things don't work like that in Trenton?  (i.e efficiently and in concordance with obvious good sense and to the benefit of the body politic/public good)

Well, they should. 

What a radical concept!  Our governance should be efficient and act in concordance with obvious good sense and to the benefit of the body politic/public good.  Sad to say; it rarely does.

That's the problem folks; and it cuts across party lines.

(This is the point at which I'm tempted to go into a lengthy analysis and put forth my own set of ideas/solutions...but that wouldn't fit into the format of a comment on this diary so I'll "resist temptation".  It'll have to wait for another occasion.  ;-)

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by: Nick Lento @ Wed Sep 19, 2007 at 16:22:18 PM UTC

insta-primary not necessary (0.00 / 0)

I think the bigger problem here is the primacy of the county party hierarchies over the state party organization, which is little more than a fundraising vehicle and has virtually no influence over how the county parties operate.

If there was uniformity throughout the state with regards to how county parties operate, how and when county committee members are elected/appointed and a central party authority with a vested interest in ensuring honesty, openness, and transparency in party decision-making processes, how decisions are made would be less of an issue.

Assuming for a moment that County Committee members were actively engaged with their fellow Democrats in their election district, and cast votes that were based on their own conscience and the collective will of their constituencies, I would have no problem with the special conventions that are held where the County Committee members within a particular LD vote.

Unfortunately, John Currie and others like him have no commitment nor dedication whatsover to the small-d democratic process and take actions that only serve their narrow political agendas.

Hopefully, the Real Democrats of Bergen County can successfully oust Bossman Joe Ferriero next year and provide progressives in machine counties throughout the state with a model for how they can reclaim their county parties and end machine rule in NJ once and for all.

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by: Bertin Lefkovic @ Wed Sep 19, 2007 at 17:10:54 PM UTC

Nifty Assumption.... (0.00 / 0)

......Assuming for a moment that County Committee members were actively engaged with their fellow Democrats in their election district, and cast votes that were based on their own conscience and the collective will of their constituencies, I would have no problem with the special conventions that are held where the County Committee members within a particular LD vote.

In that world the only time a candidate might need replacing on the ballot would be in case of illness or death.

How can we get to such a world? 

Step one:

...Hopefully, the Real Democrats of Bergen County can successfully oust Bossman Joe Ferriero next year and provide progressives in machine counties throughout the state with a model for how they can reclaim their county parties and end machine rule in NJ once and for all.

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by: Nick Lento @ Wed Sep 19, 2007 at 22:35:07 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

A three week primary. (0.00 / 0)

I can't see extended voting in NJ making a radical difference in public trust and participation. And it must be coupled with same day registration and other reforms making it easier to participate.

The biggest part of the problem is the lack of a well-organized opposition running strong campaigns. Expanding the pool of voters through voting reform won't matter without the feeling that real races are occurring.

And that's not something that can be legislated into existence.

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by: Jersey Boy @ Wed Sep 19, 2007 at 17:22:49 PM UTC

Re (4.00 / 1)

For a larger electoral fix, you may be right.  But this is a fairly narrow problem that can be fixed fairly easily.  An expanded voter pool is meaningless unless an election occurs.  Opposition, well-organized or not, cannot occur in the absence of an election.

The point isn't to extend anything.  The purpose is to allow people to pick a new candidate in the event the one who won the primary becomes unable to run in the general.

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by: Thurman Hart @ Wed Sep 19, 2007 at 20:12:25 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Secret Ballot Elections (4.00 / 1)

and uniform statewide standards seem like really easy democratic fixes.

Party leaders would retain much of their influence, but rank-and-file County Committee members would at least have an honest role in the process.

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by: Jeff Gardner @ Wed Sep 19, 2007 at 21:20:09 PM UTC

What worries me most (4.00 / 2)

is being shown in Bergenfield, where the Democrats who are FOJ - (Friends of Joe) including the Municipal Chair, don't even want to accept the results of an actual legitimate primary.

Democratic voters in Bergenfield chose their candidates for Mayor and Council, but Council President Mulligan - a Democrat - has the unmitigated gall to launch a write in campaign because his choice didn't win.  (Insert petulant  crying baby sound here.)

I hope Primaries can save us, but the only time they seem to be binding lately in NJ or Connecticut is when they are for County Committee seats. 

One Vote.  Yours.  It really does matter.

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by: carolh @ Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 02:48:28 AM UTC