A final thought on the recent election. California governor Gray Davis refused to debate Green candidate Peter Camejo, saying in effect that it was beneath his dignity to be in a debate with anyone who isn't in the Republican or Democratic parties -- e.g., a "serious" candidate. Yet the man Davis refused to be in the same room with got 6 percent of the vote -- without the exposure and legitimacy that a debate with the incumbent naturally provides. What percentage might Camejo have gotten if he had been allowed to debate the two other candidates in public? Isn't it ironic that Camejo's chance was disallowed by one man, the incumbent governor Gray Davis? Mightn't it be better if an election commission dictates such things (well, maybe a little better -- maybe?)?
It goes without saying that a person who is not allowed into the official debates never has won an election and hopefully never will, because such an outcome would indicate a genuine revolution against the standing power. Actually... not such a bad idea...
Like some kind of Roman tribune, this power to break a legitimate contender's chances is concentrated in the hands of one man -- the challenger's own opponent, yet -- and yet -- this is the breathtaking part -- look at how undemocratic a man Gray Davis is. Anyone who calls themselves a (small-d) democrat should be utterly disgusted with Davis. Because there's only one plausible reason for him to wallow in his worst instincts -- his fear of how good Camejo is.
I just saw Peter Camejo talking today at the Green Fest in San Francisco. He was actually giving investment advice less than a week after the election. That's his job, and he's darn good at it. In fact, it's obvious that his intelligence, fresh, great ideas, leadership and charisma would have posed a major threat to both Davis and the "businessman" Simon.
(One final note: Camejo the investment guy reminded us that Davis's purchase of long-term energy contracts during the energy crisis was, in dollar terms, the worst investment in the history of the world).
It goes without saying that a person who is not allowed into the official debates never has won an election and hopefully never will, because such an outcome would indicate a genuine revolution against the standing power. Actually... not such a bad idea...
Like some kind of Roman tribune, this power to break a legitimate contender's chances is concentrated in the hands of one man -- the challenger's own opponent, yet -- and yet -- this is the breathtaking part -- look at how undemocratic a man Gray Davis is. Anyone who calls themselves a (small-d) democrat should be utterly disgusted with Davis. Because there's only one plausible reason for him to wallow in his worst instincts -- his fear of how good Camejo is.
I just saw Peter Camejo talking today at the Green Fest in San Francisco. He was actually giving investment advice less than a week after the election. That's his job, and he's darn good at it. In fact, it's obvious that his intelligence, fresh, great ideas, leadership and charisma would have posed a major threat to both Davis and the "businessman" Simon.
(One final note: Camejo the investment guy reminded us that Davis's purchase of long-term energy contracts during the energy crisis was, in dollar terms, the worst investment in the history of the world).