Local Politics

[Orange Juche]

Is voting for local elections a sensible plan, even if you do not believe in voting in federal, or even smaller (state?) governed elections? For example... would you be willing to vote for a "progressive" official for a city office, if you lived in a moderately small city (like mine, 40000 people)?

Or, are there better ways to deal with local issues? Should local government be completely rejected, or rejected at all?

Just interested in your opinions.

[LoneRed]

I usually write myself in in local elections, The only really thing id vote on is propositions, as those are a more direct way of getting your voice heard, albeit still miniscule

[LSD]

Is voting for local elections a sensible plan, even if you do not believe in voting in federal, or even smaller (state?) governed elections?

Almost certainly not.

Bourgeois politics are bourgeois politics. The problem with current governments is not that they have "bad leaders", it's that the system itself is flawed. Accordingly, no matter how "progressive" or "well-meaning" a candidate may be, once they become part of that system they become the enemy.

Voting potential "allies" into power only weakens our position.Active intelligent comrades involved in the living class strugle are essential to defeating capitalism, but intelligent politicians contribute nothing. There's a reason after all that the bourgeoisie has such a history of co-option.

Remember, after Martin Luther published his famous 95 Theses, one of Pope Leo's first ideas was to make him a cardinal.

Capitalism can't be "fixed from the inside" because it can't be fixed. The capitalists can be forced to make concessions, but they will never be "convinced" or "reasoned with". Politicians will only legislate against their class interests when to do otherwise would be more dangerous.

That's why it doesn't matter who's "in power", it only matters that we are strong enough to force their hand[b/].


[b]Should local government be completely rejected, or rejected at all?

In its present form, of course it should.

Obviously some form of governance is needed, no one here is interested in abject chaos. But "local government" as it is currently organized is nothing more than a rubber stamp for bourgeois capitalist interests.

[rouchambeau]

It's better to get people together and do it yourself when possible.

[Sadena Meti]

I occasionally vote in local elections, but usually it is done in the spirit of voting against someone as opposed to for anyone. I.E. I vote for Candidate B, a tosser, in order to stop Candidate A, a complete asshole, from getting on the school board. When it doesn't matter (both tossers), I usually write in Ned Ludd. So I'd say vote, but vote dispassionatley. The election is going to happen if you vote or not, and your action doesn't legitimize it. In a way, it is like slashing the tires of a Hummer. It doesn't really change anything, but it's something to pass the time, and might make things fractionally juster.

[which doctor]

I do believe that a self-described anarchist ran for some office in some city in Florida. She may have even won too, I don't know.

Anyways, it's kinda unfair to call "local politics" really politics at all. They mostly have to deal with administrative things, not really much politics.

I believe Apathy Maybe had a discussion on this topic a while ago.

[Orange Juche]

What do you think about this:

I'm thinking of running locally one of these years. BUT, it would only be in satire. The whole campaign would be rittled with sarcasm and satire... I'd just do wacky shit to make people think different. No intentions of attempting to win.

How about using elections like that?

[More Fire for the People]

I think it would be a great idea to run a campaign as a criticism of the system itself. Detournment in politics.

[Orange Juche]

Originally posted by Hopscotch [email protected] 21 2006, 10:51 PM
I think it would be a great idea to run a campaign as a criticism of the system itself. Detournment in politics.
Just what I was thinking :-).

I also think it would be fun as hell haha

[Janus]

Seems like a waste of time and resources. If it's really a joke, then your name may not even be put on the ballot once it becomes apparent.

Anyways, I think the major reason why people are a lot more interested in local politics is that it affects them more and because they have a greater chance of being "heard". However, this doesn't make local politics "special" or different from mainstream elections in any sense.

[Phugebrins]

You know, there's such a thing as the Official Monster Raving Loony Party in the UK, and often comes fourth place where it stands.

[afrikaNOW]

Don't listen to these loonies. Voting in local politics can make a huge difference in your community.

[apathy maybe]

I am of two minds on the issue of local government elections in this present situation.

On the one hand I can understand the arguments against local government and against voting in local government elections.

On the other, I support local decision making as an ideal, promote the divulging of power down and see that it is much easier to make a change at a local level in today's society.


I disagree with LSD's complete dismissal of local government, they are not the rubber stamps he characterises them as. Yes some local governments have done deals with corporations, but others have stood up to them and opposed their plans.

I also agree with rouchambeau. It is better to do something yourself, along with other people who are being affected, then wait for someone else to do it for you. It is a bit harder to replace the light bulbs in street lights with more energy efficient ones however.

As Fist of Blood (FoB), says, local government is mainly dealing with the administration of things, though it does get involved in politics. I have changed my position slightly since that last discussion. Local government can stop adverse development and promote sustainability.

MeetingPeopleIsEasy: if you are going to use elections like that, don't actually run in them. Rather simply get yourself known and do wacky stuff.


Anyway to sum up my currentish position, I still think that even in the present system local government has potential that other levels do not. However, if you can do things without it, that is even better. So run for your local council, oppose those crappy corporate developments and root out corruption. But don't expect to change the world.

[liberationjunky]

I agree that in a ideal society we wouldnt have local elections or any politians to vote for in the first place. But, the fact is that is how are world today works and not voting isn't making a stand and surely isnt going to change the system So, my opinion is sure you might as well vote the better of the evils.

[YSR]

I'm engaging in a write-in campaign for county sheriff. We won't win, but hopefully we'll get enough votes for my name to appear in the local paper with the results. As (I think) the only known anarchist in my town, hopefully we'll get some bemused expressions when people see that.

My platform: I won't enforce any laws and it'll be a pain in the ass to have some type of recall election to get rid of me.

[afrikaNOW]

You won't enfoce any laws?I hope you live in the suburbs and not a city with a high or even moderate crime rate.

[Delta]

In my area we have elections on a body called the Rent Stabilization Board, which controls the prices of rent so that they don't get out of hand. There are 3 socialists on that board, and it helps keep housing affordable for the area's citizens. And I live in the US btw, so having socialists elected is exceptionally rare.