Yes, I'm serious. I'm the Libertarian party 2010 candidate for US House, TN district 5. It'll only take 25 registered voters' signatures to get on the ballot, so that won't be a problem. I think there's at least one poster here from that district, so hey, vote for me!
I've written up my positions on a large number of issues. I believe I have a good chance of appealing to what one might call the Slashdot crowd: I want intelligent solutions to problems that are important but aren't frequently addressed, I'm not concerned with issues I can't fix, and I don't care for party lines or namecalling. I want the government smaller, smarter, and more accountable. I don't have any illusions about my chances, but I want to see what happens. If nothing else, it'll be fun.
I'm looking for input on my positions document. Given as this is a relatively small, intelligent crowd, I thought I'd go here and see what you all thought. I'd like to hear if you think if anything is badly worded, if I'm missing any important issues that I should have a stated position on, or if there's anything in there that would cost me your vote, if you had one.
NOW we can expect the incriminating photos to surface!
Noli Nothis Permittere Te Terere!! Posted by Diane (Member # 53) on :
It would really help if you could format that page to be reader-friendly.
But based on what I've read so far, I'd vote for you.
Posted by Malnurtured Snay (Member # 411) on :
Yeah, the formatting on that text is awful ... I was having to scroll. I can't believe I'm saying this, but, uh, I actually kind of liked what (admittedly little) I read.
And, hey, if you get elected, we'll be neighbors!
Posted by The Ginger Beacon (Member # 1585) on :
Sounds good. I found it hard to read, but that was due to the format rather than the content. I'd perhaps be a bit less impersonal about the Electoral College, but I don't know if that's how these things should sound, not having a Congress to elect over here.
Good luck at any rate.
Posted by Omega (Member # 91) on :
Sorry about the formatting! I guess I just assumed everyone would have word wrap turned on. I'll repost in a bit when I have the formatting fixed up on my website.
Posted by Omega (Member # 91) on :
Check it out. Feedback on the website in general would also be appreciated. I'm going to change the color scheme and update my photo before going public with it.
Posted by AndrewR (Member # 44) on :
Yeah, I'd definitely update the photo to one that was a little more... how should I say... professional? Not dissing it or anything - but you don't usually see candidate photos of people in casual clothes and sunnies.
Some more formal attire would be more appropriate. I'm assuming you know this already.
Posted by Malnurtured Snay (Member # 411) on :
I would:
1. Take a photo dressed like you would for a job interview.
2. Have your website's content edited by someone other than yourself, possibly a resume writer. It seems too much "Oh, this is my personal website, and, by the way, I'm running for Congress."
Also, I would suggest a more professional looking website.
The front page is good because you draw a lot of attention to your political beliefs, but I'd get rid of the Dem/Republican bit: you're only going to alienate people.
I would get rid of most of the personal stuff. You're applying for a job. What do you bring to the job? Discussing why Boomer's motives are misunderstood is not something that will probably benefit you as a congressman.
All of your issue points are ... or seem to be ... national things. Are there any issues specific to your district or state that you might have any sway over as a congressman, and why would your approach differ from the D or R also running for this seat?
Posted by Lee (Member # 393) on :
More red, white & blue needed. Proper photo, in suit and nice smile, probably against a blue background with a Stars & Stripes in the corner. Or posed outside with a recognisable Nashville landmark in the bakground. Get some Libertarian Party imagery in the mix too.
As Snay says, really get into the local issues. Think globally, but act locally. Lose the personal stuff, but try to get some of the activities you do (if any) in there - go on fun runs, volunteer in your neighbourhood (for whatever), and get photos of you doing it all.
Don't expect to win first time out, but use this election to propel you into the public consciousness. If the GOP are as insignificant in the district as the Wikiarticle says, then you can work on that by getting the local press to see you as an alternate/opposition point of view for comments on local stories and issues. When Jim Cooper says X, they can then quote Stephen Collings rather than Scott Knapp or Thomas Kovach saying Y. Republican disarray should be good for at least past Obama's re-election so now is the time to make a third-party candidate seem like a viable alternative. Follow Cooper's every move (and vote in the house) and always have a suggestion as to how you'd have done better.
Posted by AndrewR (Member # 44) on :
What is your stance on people with 'special abilities'?
I'm guessing this could be a good web page to go by - hasn't seem to have affected his position in the polls: http://votepetrelli.com/ Posted by Omega (Member # 91) on :
Thanks for the feedback. I've changed some details, and I'll be getting a new picture hopefully within the next two days. Also, the website can now be reached at collings2010.com. Also collins2010.com, since nobody will spell my name right. Posted by Diane (Member # 53) on :
I think you could do a little more research to expand the welfare section. As most voters will be older than you, they would want to see meatier ideas about welfare than just "let's talk about it."
In particular, I would like to see discussions about preventive/wellness programs to lower Medicare/Medicaid costs. Mandatory financial education earlier in life could also lower dependence on social security.
I would agree with Lee that it'll help to have an editor tighten up the writing. It feels a bit "loose" right now.
Posted by Omega (Member # 91) on :
Those sound like reasonable ideas, and I should research them more.
New photo is up.
Posted by Lee (Member # 393) on :
You might want to get a haircut. Oh, wait, that's a pot plant. 8)
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
Also, beware of Britishisms. Having your picture taken with a potted plant is fine. Having your picture taken with a pot plant is definitely not.
Posted by Malnurtured Snay (Member # 411) on :
Why does your mustache not connect to your beard?
Also: while it's a much better photo, have a plain background. It's hard figuring out where you head ends and the plant begins. If you don't want a blank white wall behind you, go and take a photo with some trees in the background.
Posted by Omega (Member # 91) on :
We'll be upgrading the photo further as time permits.
As for my facial hair, well, that's just the way it comes in. I've been told I look Amish. And Jewish. And one person asked if I was mixed black and white. Which was hilarious since he was black.
Posted by WizArtist II (Member # 1425) on :
quote:Originally posted by Omega: We'll be upgrading the photo further as time permits.
As for my facial hair, well, that's just the way it comes in. I've been told I look Amish. And Jewish. And one person asked if I was mixed black and white. Which was hilarious since he was black.
He apparently lacked "BroDAR"
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
quote:I believe that the United States should refuse to sell weapons of any kind to countries with a consistent recent record of violating the rights of its citizens, or of agression against its neighbors.
Does that apply to private corporations as well? Currently US companies supply weapons to pretty much anyone that wants them with no qualms.
How does that jibe with your stance on gun control?
Posted by Omega (Member # 91) on :
Out for a couple days, be back Saturday evening.
Posted by Diane (Member # 53) on :
Re: Picture Whoa, you look like a different person. Not sure if it's the lighting or what. You do look Jewish in this one and a total white boy in the other one.
Posted by Saltah'na (Member # 33) on :
I have to admit, Omega, you've come very far.
Some issues that you used to argue against others in this forum you did so vehemently. And always with the impression that you were always right. I sit here and note your stances on such things as gun control, and the Death Penalty; you were against and for these issues respectively back then, right?
I was wondering if you could at least put something with regards to the following (yes, I am Canadian, so shove it): - Environment: You mention pollution, but I'm talking about the environment as a whole. Whether you believe climate change is happening or not, there are many issues regarding suburban sprawl, how to control it, how to preserve the environmental landscape etc, etc, etc. What about endangered species, destruction of animal habitats and so on? - Infrastructure: You are very vague in this respect and there is no mention about public transportation infrastructure (especially locally). Despite the fact that I do own a car, I do believe that public transit is also important, and serves to help the environmental issues in my previous post. - Taxes: You don't mention if you favour a progressive tax system or a flat rate system. Replacing an entire tax system not only takes a lot of time, but too many people will be confused by such a radical change. Can you clarify how much "easier" it will be for the American public? - Obviously, you also want to put something with regards to the current economical pickle the US is in. It would be nice to know what people think about your views on current events.
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
quote:Pollution Nobody likes air pollution. The only question anyone has is whether clean air is worth the price. Everyone draws that line in a different place. I see no obvious reason the federal government should be involved in drawing one line for everyone. As such, I would advocate the removal of air pollution standards from the federal government's hands, placing that issue back with the states where it belongs. Exceptions would be made for facilities on state borders, where emissions would affect more than one state. There are two major sources of pollution can definitely be replaced by superior technologies, and I'd like to see those new technologies further developed and implemented. First, I'm a firm advocate of alternative fuel technology, whether fuel cell, biodiesel (particularly algae-based), ethanol, or electric vehicle. However, I do not support projects that have no potential to be a net environmental improvement. The energy balance of ethanol in particular has been a target of significant criticism in this regard. More research is required before I can determine whether to support ethanol as a clean fuel. Second, I want to shut down coal power plants and replace them with cleaner sources of grid power, such as modern nuclear plants and large-scale solar thermal installations. Nuclear power is far from perfect, but it is far cleaner and safer than coal plants. Solar thermal power plants have far greater efficiency than photovoltaics, are less weather dependent, and have a smaller ecological footprint. I will support any measure that I believe will advance these goals.
You kind of contradict yourself here as EPA standards are the sole regulation for coal pollution plants you want to close. Also, leaving pollution standards up to states is very shortsighted: pollution often affects hundreds of miles from the source- allowing one state to, for example, dump chemicals into a river would be a disaster for fisheries at that river's end in some other state- not to mention sickness caused and property damages associated with polluted streams etc. Also consider that the coal insustry are major canpaign supporters in several states, making state-level regulation dubious at best.
Currently, the EPA does no where near enough to curb polluters- fines at best taht usually go unpaid. Giving states sole discresion would also force states to form their own EPA's to enforce/audit state compliances. Currently there exists no mechanism in most states (certainly in Florida) to enforce even ntional standards- there's just no money for it at the state level.
A good example is Big Sugar's pollution of the Florida Everglades National Park- although a federal court and the state's Supreme Court has ordered them to pay tens of millions in clean-up fines, they have yet to pay a dime. This was with the full weight of Clinton's EPA enforcing and documenting the pollution.
Bush's administration cut EPA inspectors to on-quarter their clinton-era number and thay have yet to be replaced.
No way a state could handle the burden of the EPA- even if that state somehow was a mecca of scientists, lawyers and inspectors looking for such work.
Your notion of gun control needs some tweaking as well- why not have handgun owners renew their liscenes? Seems only reasonable as you have to do it for your driver's liscence and every other kind.
Posted by Lee (Member # 393) on :
He has a FaceBook group as well! I've joined, for a laugh.
Posted by Charles Capps (Member # 9) on :
If you actually get taken seriously by either of the major parties, I wonder how long it'll take for them to pull up your post history here and attempt to smear you with it...
Posted by Saltah'na (Member # 33) on :
I have contacts, and I'm not afraid to use them.
I'd like a Bimmer, please..... Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
quote:Originally posted by Charles Capps: If you actually get taken seriously by either of the major parties, I wonder how long it'll take for them to pull up your post history here and attempt to smear you with it...
I'm available for interviews... oh, how I'll entertain them with tales of all the PM's Omega and I have shared where we besmirtch the middle class, the poor and plan to ban all firearms while passing mandatory abortion leglislation for anyone making less than $100K a year.
Everyone should join me- we can "swift-post" our pal!
Kidding, ...of course. Posted by Omega (Member # 91) on :
I have altered my stance on gun control, foreign affairs, pollution, taxes and welfare programs somewhat, and added sections for energy and prison population.
Saltha'na: my updates don't change much about your environmental points, I may have to think about those more. I'm also not sure what to say about the present economic situation as yet, I need to understand more about exactly what happened. However, I have mentioned infrastructure changes under pollution, and I've clarified my tax position somewhat.
You are correct that some of my opinions have changed significantly over the years. Chalk it up to recognizing reality that things are not always as you think they are. And the fact that you're Canadian means nothing, I still value your feedback on my positions.
Jason: I'm not so much interested in closing coal plants as I am in slowly phasing them out as they reach EOL. I have altered the pollution paragraph to make that clearer. I've also made it clearer that the range over which different states' regulations should apply should depend on the type of installation, and that enforcement may reasonably remain with the federal government, but must be adequately staffed and funded. I've also added that US corporations that sell weapons to not-nice countries should be heavily taxed.
As for handguns, I simply don't see the benefit of registering them. Care to enlighten me?
Regarding my posting history here, I'm not terribly worried. I don't expect either major party to take me seriously. That way my victory will come as a total surprise. Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
"I have altered my stance on..."
You should probably start training yourself to use words like "clarified" rather than "altered", in a situation like that.
Posted by Omega (Member # 91) on :
Quite right. I have altered the writing to clarify my stance. Thanks.
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
quote:Originally posted by Omega: As for handguns, I simply don't see the benefit of registering them. Care to enlighten me?
Same reason you register your car- if found at a crime scene it can be traced to a owner, without mandatory registration, guns used in crimes could find their way into the hands of unsuspecting innocent citizens (buying used) that would be owning a murder weapon.
Registration can also tell the make, age, caliber and (if expanded) the lan/groove pattern of a gun- which would make crime scene investigations much easier and faster.
Registration also gives cops a heads up as to what kind of arsenal a perp may have and gives leads in cases where a suspect's registered gun may match the type used in a crime.
Then, of course, there's the registration fee the state collects ( a minor issue, IMHO, but still revenue the state collects).
Despite the tired NRA viewpoint that guns are somehow tools, they are not: a Tool can make something and is an instrument of construction- a gun's only use is in killing. Thus regulation/registration/tracking of all firearms protects citizens.
If only our military kept such standards- over 80,000 US made guns have gone missing in Iraq. That's a whole army's worth.
Posted by B.J. (Member # 858) on :
quote:Originally posted by Omega: I've also added that US corporations that sell weapons to not-nice countries should be heavily taxed.
From your website:
quote: I believe that the United States should refuse to sell weapons of any kind to countries with a consistent recent record of violating the rights of its citizens, or of aggression against its neighbors. Sale of weapons to these countries by US corporations should be heavily taxed.
Unless they're dealing under the table (i.e. illegally), I'm fairly certain that US corporations aren't allowed to sell weapons or any military hardware to ANY foreign country without express government approval, so it kinda makes the second part of your point moot. This is coming from my experience in the aerospace industry.
I'm curious, are you going to have any sort of campaign staff? You've got to have someone out there putting up signs, etc.
I'd also work a lot on your website design. Some graphics (which some of us can help with) can spruce it up quite a bit. Plus I'd make your links and section headings look different. Right now, it's a bit confusing, especially on the Links page.
Posted by Curry Monster (Member # 12) on :
I'll have to make a point of reading your site in detail, but good luck. Just make sure you are doing it for the right reasons.
Posted by Nim (Member # 205) on :
And stay the feck away from the sugar lobby.
Posted by Kosh (Member # 167) on :
Good Luck O. Make some noise, get your name out there as much as possible. If not for this election, then for the next...
Posted by Blue387 (Member # 2157) on :
I've been thinking of running for office myself as a liberal Democrat who seeks to reform the system. The Tennessee fifth is a heavily Democratic district and you're running against Jim Cooper, a Democratic incumbent. Try to distinguish yourself from him on issues but try not to go ad hominem negative; no personal attacks.
When talking about debt, talk more about statistics and mention David Walker and the Concord Coalition where entitlements like Social Security will assume a massive amount of government spending.
On the tactical end of campaigns, get some more pictures of yourself on the campaign trail. Get some stuff you can hand out like buttons or literature. Campaign hard everywhere from fairs to parades to schools. Have at least one person as a campaign manager working for you to coordinate volunteers, press and fundraising. Try to get into local news, write editorials, set up interviews and a YouTube channel, issue press releases. As an underdog campaign, make it look like you're punching above your weight.
Please spell check your issue page. I spot a few errors. I disagree with you on FairTax and the balanced budget proposal, which will never pass. The congressional stuff will probably not happen as there are vested interests involved. Try to add more stuff on military stuff and foreign relations. Where do you stand on the bank bailout? The ongoing federal involvement in the auto industry? Campaign finance? Torture? Wiretapping? Do you support or oppose the idea of a carbon tax?
"All sessions of congress must be a matter of public record." Doesn't that already exist in the publicly available Congressional Record?
"Police use of tasers should be thoroughly examined." Shouldn't this be a state and local issue?
Interesting: "NASA should focus on things that can not be done by commercial spaceflight industries, especially the detection and deflection of earth-threatening asteroids."
Posted by Blue387 (Member # 2157) on :
Also, as a first time candidate, you will make mistakes and screw up. You will also spend a lot of time fundraising unless you have millions squirreled away somewhere; worse, running as a libertarian, you probably won't get much cash. Have you considered running for a local office first? Is your heart really into running a grueling campaign for yourself and your family? Can you be willing to give up time from work or family to run for office?
Posted by Mikey T (Member # 144) on :
Take a look at my friend's website he put up to run for Los Angeles City Council (He won this past May 19th by 700 votes) for some tips on redesigning your site.
Have you done research on the voting patterns of your district (party demographics breakdown, age and gender, who are frequent voters each election, etc)? How is your fundraising going and do you have a strategy for short term and long term fundraising? Who has so far endorsed you? Are you actively seeking endorsements and speaking to groups and organizations as to why you are running and why they should support you? Have you identified a base of support to help you run the election (canvassing, volunteer outreach, PR/Marketing)?
Posted by OnToMars (Member # 621) on :
Hey, I canvassed for that guy.
Who's your friend?
Posted by Omega (Member # 91) on :
quote:I've been thinking of running for office myself as a liberal Democrat who seeks to reform the system.
Do it! More people need to do crazy things like this.
quote:The Tennessee fifth is a heavily Democratic district and you're running against Jim Cooper, a Democratic incumbent. Try to distinguish yourself from him on issues but try not to go ad hominem negative; no personal attacks.
I wouldn't attack Cooper. I respect any man with a "nerd pride" mug on the shelf in his office.
quote:Get some stuff you can hand out like buttons or literature. Campaign hard everywhere from fairs to parades to schools.
I've got business cards with an infodump of my platform I've been handing out pretty much everywhere.
quote:Have at least one person as a campaign manager working for you to coordinate volunteers, press and fundraising.
There's not enough of that going on yet for it to be needed, unfortunately, but I've got a couple people lined up if it gets to that point.
quote:Try to get into local news, write editorials, set up interviews and a YouTube channel, issue press releases. As an underdog campaign, make it look like you're punching above your weight.
Youtube is something I've been meaning to get into. Viral marketing is a powerful force. I just have to sit down and actually do it. Same with editorials.
quote:Please spell check your issue page. I spot a few errors.
All errors are fixed. I keep adding new stuff and not spellchecking it. (Amusingly, my spellchecker doesn't think spellchecking is a word...)
quote:I disagree with you on FairTax and the balanced budget proposal, which will never pass. The congressional stuff will probably not happen as there are vested interests involved.
If I limited myself to things I considered likely, I wouldn't be running.
quote:Try to add more stuff on military stuff and foreign relations.
Suggestions?
quote:Where do you stand on the bank bailout? The ongoing federal involvement in the auto industry? Campaign finance? Torture? Wiretapping? Do you support or oppose the idea of a carbon tax?
I address torture and wiretapping, and I'm not terribly interested in campaign finance, though perhaps I should be. The others you mention I probably should get into more. To answer the question, the bank and auto industry bailouts are not unreasonable courses of action at this juncture. But we need to remember that the gigantic deficits involved will only move the problem, not solve it. The only solution is time and guarantees of future fiscal responsibility.
Posted by Omega (Member # 91) on :
quote:"Police use of tasers should be thoroughly examined." Shouldn't this be a state and local issue?
Arguably, but there are federal police officers as well. There are also those that argue that taser misuse can qualify as torture, in which case it's more likely a federal affair.
quote: Interesting: "NASA should focus on things that can not be done by commercial spaceflight industries, especially the detection and deflection of earth-threatening asteroids."
Any particular reason you find that interesting?
quote:Have you considered running for a local office first? Is your heart really into running a grueling campaign for yourself and your family? Can you be willing to give up time from work or family to run for office?
Local office holds no appeal to me. These are the issues I care about, so I'm running on them. As for the time this will take, well, that's my problem. I can handle it.
quote:Have you done research on the voting patterns of your district (party demographics breakdown, age and gender, who are frequent voters each election, etc)?
Only briefly, and I didn't find much. I should probably dig harder.
quote:How is your fundraising going and do you have a strategy for short term and long term fundraising?
I'm just starting to get donation offers, and I'm in the process of setting up Paypal and Google donation portals on my site. Aside from that, I'm not gonna go begging for money.
quote:Who has so far endorsed you? Are you actively seeking endorsements and speaking to groups and organizations as to why you are running and why they should support you?
I'm the Libertarian candidate, and I've been endorsed by the Pirate Party of the US. I have high hopes of being endorsed by the Modern Whig party, and some chance of a Green endorsement as well. The Constitution party hasn't responded to any of my e-mails, but they probably wouldn't touch me. I've e-mailed a few other organizations, but no response there either.
quote: Have you identified a base of support to help you run the election (canvassing, volunteer outreach, PR/Marketing)?
I've got a few people. Some of them even live in my district. Posted by Mikey T (Member # 144) on :
Omega, when you re-vamp your site, make sure online contributions is clearly shown. Along with JOIN the CAMPAIGN.
OnToMars: I live in Sherman Oaks and Paul Koretz I've known since he served in the CA State Assembly.
Posted by Blue387 (Member # 2157) on :
quote:Originally posted by Omega:
quote: Interesting: "NASA should focus on things that can not be done by commercial spaceflight industries, especially the detection and deflection of earth-threatening asteroids."
Any particular reason you find that interesting?
I thought we were just going to send Bruce Willis and his motley crew up and nuke the asteroids.
Posted by Omega (Member # 91) on :
Sir, so long as I am in office we will obey the laws of physics!
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
"Have you considered running for a local office first?"
"Local office holds no appeal to me."
Isn't that a bit like applying for your first job and saying "Data entry holds no appeal for me. Do you have anything in a Vice-President of Marketing position?"
In other words, why should people elect you to represent hundreds of thousands of people (and a major city) in the national government, when you don't even have experience representing more than one person?
Posted by Omega (Member # 91) on :
I would say because the people who have experience aren't doing a terribly good job, and thus experience isn't all it's cracked up to be in this regard.
Posted by WizArtist II (Member # 1425) on :
"Experience" is what you get when you were really expecting something else.
Posted by Blue387 (Member # 2157) on :
By the way, if you want to read a good book on the corruption in state and local politics, try Three Men in a Room by Seymour Lachman, a former state senator here in New York. It's not a long read and it came out around three years ago but it's a good book on what happens when power corrupts.
Posted by OnToMars (Member # 621) on :
"Congress" is capitalized.
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
Be sure to make that joke about how "Congress" is the opposite of "Progress". A real crowd pleaser, that one.
You could YouTube yourself- or go on CurrenTV asking voters what THEY really want in a Congressman. Go with the younger voters- they eventually do vote, you know.
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