Category Archives: Politics

How to have a REAL presidential debate

Posted by on October 19, 2008 No comments

I don’t think I am alone with my disdain for the way politicians “answer” questions. How many times in the debates did we see the moderator ask a question that required a “yes” or a “no” or even a specific number that was never answered? I can’t even count how many times. I really hate the convoluted language used for answering questions so here are the rules I think should be instituted for a debate:

 

  1. Each candidate gets 30 seconds to thank everyone for being there before the first question is asked.
  2. The moderator asks a question and each candidate gets the opportunity to answer.
  3. Each candidate will be allowed 60 seconds to answer the question. After 60 seconds their microphone is automatically turned off.
  4. When the candidate is answering the question they are only allowed to refer to their platform. They may not speak in any way about their opponent or their platform.
  5. If the candidate does not answer the moderators question the moderator will allow them 10 seconds to deliver the answer. If the answer is still not received they lose 30 seconds off their next answer.
  6. After each candidate answers the question they will both have 1 minute to counter their opponents statements. This is the only time they are allowed to refer to their opponents platform.
  7. Time penalties add up and carry over until all penalties have been served.
  8. Each candidate will get 2 minutes to deliver their closing remarks. In this time period they are allowed to counter any statement the other candidate made but only the statements they made.
Scoring
  • For each violation of speaking about their opponent 15 seconds will be removed from their next answer.
  • Fact Checkers will verify each statement and give +1 true statements or -1 for false statements.
  • For every 2 points deducted the speaker will lose 15 seconds off their next answer.
  • Time deductions can carry over into closing remarks.
I think this would be a good format as it would allow the candidates to speak about their stance and their platform without wasting time refuting what the other candidate says about them. They are also compelled to be frank about the issues due to the short time they are allotted. With fact checkers in place they would need to avoid making false claims because they would be penalized.
I know this isn’t perfect but I get frustrated watching the debates (thank God they are over) and would like to actually hear more about the issues instead of each candidate delivering blows or covering their ass.

Subliminal Politics

Posted by on October 6, 2008 No comments

The other day I was listening to music on Pandora and came across the following advertisement:

It’s looks like a pretty standard ad pushing people to register to vote so that can partake in arguable the most improtant election ever but upon closer inspection it is apparent that there is a much more targeted meaning behind the ad. Did you notice the innocuous “to vote for” slipped in there? They are no longer encouraging people to get out and vote but more pointedly vote for Barack Obama.

Now, I still don’t know who I am going to vote for but thought this ad was “funny.”

Manners for Political Discussions

Posted by on September 28, 2008 No comments

I spent the last 5 days with two guys that describe themselves as “bleeding democrats.” We worked together during the day then went for drinks at the hotel bar at night. We discussed many topics ranging from work problems, funny stories from the past, and of course, politics.

Given that these two guys are registered Democrats and very pro Obama they were speaking very highly of him and poking fun at McCain. I am an independent and don’t know who I am going to vote for but I was still able to have very healthy conversations with them for the entire week. I was pleasantly surprised at how well they handled me not being on their “team” and respecting what I had to say. Here are the tips I got from the conversations on how to act on both sides:

  • Do feel free to express your thoughts. It is a discussion.
  • Do listen to what people have to say. Again, it is a discussion.
  • Ask questions when someone makes a point that you don’t agree with or understand but make sure you ask it in a non-threatening way.
  • Stay calm.
  • If you are speaking with someone that knows what they are talking about, pick their brain. In this situation they are most likely more than happy to talk about it.

In the past I have had political conversations with people that turn into arguments instead. Here are my thoughts on the wrong way to do it.

  • Belittle someone for having an oppinion that differs from yours.
  • Laugh at a point they make.
  • Yell.
  • Cut them off mid-sentence.
  • Don’t listen.
  • Speak about things you know nothing or very little about and act like your word is the law.

These are all things that I thought people learned in kindergarten but apparently I was wrong. My mom was right, I am smarter than all the other kids.

Why I Haven’t Chosen Who To Vote For

Posted by on September 26, 2008 No comments

I am a software developer by trade and have a scientific mind by nature. I am very good at quick and to the point. I don’t like wasting time. I understand this is one of my downfalls and I am trying to use this blog to improve my delivery of thoughts and ideas. Back to it though (nature wins again)

I am 100% actively not paying attention to what candidates are saying right now because they are just dancing around the real questions. I will start paying attention the last month before when they start putting together charts of where each candidate stands on major issues. I don’t like hearing a 5 minute ramble that doesn’t completely answer the question when it could be one or two sentences.

Most people like me don’t want to hear a candidate ramble about things related to an issue in hopes they can dodge actually answering the question. Ask a candidate what their stance is on abortion and they will start talking about educating people about birth control and instilling family values and whatever else they can think of. Get to it; are you pro-life or pro-choice? When it comes to taxing don’t sit there and tell me how you are going to help America get back on it’s feet and make life better for everyone. Tell me what taxes you are going to implement/cut, who it’s going to affect and by how much.

Give me the meat. Leave the parsely in the kitchen.