One of the more absurd examples of our flawed electoral system, via Third Party and Independent Daily:
A lousy $26.That’s how much money kept would-be Libertarian Party candidate Savva Vassiliev off the June primary ballot in the 27th Assembly District.
Vassiliev, 24, a self-described actor-writer from Carmel, planned to use his candidacy to speak out for gay marriage, legal marijuana and lower taxes, among other issues.
But Vassiliev fell short by $26 — $26.10 to be exact — of submitting the required combination of money and voter signatures to cover the $952.91 candidate filing fee to run for the state Legislature.
Vassiliev believes that an election system that informed him of the shortfall days after the March 12 deadline and refused his offer to pay the $26 is unfair.
“I still think I should be on the ballot,” he said Monday. “But if not, all I can do is expose a strange part of the election rules.”
I will admit that I have recently switched to the Libertarian Party due to the fact I’m tired of the excrement continuously delt out by the two main parties.
It’s a shame Mr. Vassilliev was not able to have his name on the ballot, but rules are in place and should be enforced for all… though recently the two major parties circumvent rules whenever possible. If Mr. Vassilliev did not meet all the rules as they are written and those rules are in plain easy to understand English, then his name should not be on the ballot. Mr. Vassilliev wants to be in politics to create or remove laws, then he should abide by the current rules or laws.
Not all Libertarians are “uniqly inept,” but there are those in all parties that reflect poorly to the supporters and opposition. It is sad that one should use such small minded and ignorant demeaning terms when not in agreement to the opposition.
Cody Quirk – Though you are not of the Libertarian Party, I will still wish you the best of luck… politics does not seem to be an easy career choice.
More West Coast Mischief ……….
By MARCUS WOHLSEN, Associated Press Writer Marcus Wohlsen, Associated Press Writer – 27 mins ago
SAN FRANCISCO – A popular California outdoors writer was free on bail after authorities said Friday they found a large marijuana growing operation in his barn in the town of WEED, California. *
Deputies served a search warrant on 55-year-old Tom Stienstra’s home last week and seized 60 plants and more than 11 pounds of processed marijuana, the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office said.
Stienstra was arrested for investigation of possessing marijuana for sale and released March 26 on $75,000 bail. His wife and two other men were also arrested.
* no joke, named YEARS ago, my former step son lived there ………..
say ‘Good for U’ ………..
Cody Quirk// Mar 25, 2010 at 1:53 am
AND I DID MY PAPERWORK CORRECTLY!
Where is the State Chair and State Candidate’s Coordinator? Where is his County Chair? Why don’t these people know the rules? Why did noone help Mister Vassilev?
The rules for make-up signatures and signatures in leiu have changed, as to the timing.
They used to tell you on the spot after the first filing period deadline so you would know how many sigs you needed.
And they used to let you overpay and then get a refund, or leave a blank check that they would call you about… And lastly, they would let you call them and drive there on the last day to make up whatever you make up.
I think Savva got dumpled on and forgotten by the folks who were elected to help him.
think, that, yes, it does matter!
Quirk // Mar 25, 2010:
What do you mean that the world is a “screwed up”? Do you mean “unfair”?
Cody = Does it matter?
The system is unfair and unreasonable. Suppose Savva had overpaid by $26.10 – who here thinks he would have received a refund, or even a note accounting for the funds?
It is long past time for political libertarians to give up trying to reform the state by voting in a different set of rascals, or alter the state by making constitutional amendments, and get down to the important work of striking at the root. Abolish the state, free the slaves, end the wars.
What do you mean that the world is a “screwed up”? Do you mean “unfair”?
= Does it matter?
Third party candidates play by the same rules. The rules aren’t any more “unfair” to the LP. It’s just that the Libertarian Party, and so many of its members, are uniquely inept.
= Ok.
Libertarians should stop blaming their own ineptitude on an “unfair” world. You talk “self responsibility.” Try and walk the talk.
= I’m not a Libertarian, but guess what- I’m running for a political office right now myself!
AND I DID MY PAPERWORK CORRECTLY!
Unlike Mr. Ashjian!
All ballot access laws are just Democratic and Republican IEDs for competitors. IED in this context stands for Improvised Entrenchment Devices.
Cody: “It’s very sad that political opportunists/a**holes like Jon Ashjian can get on the ballot, and well-intentioned people like Savva can’t get on.
“It’s a screwed up world alright.”
What do you mean that the world is a “screwed up”? Do you mean “unfair”?
Third party candidates play by the same rules. The rules aren’t any more “unfair” to the LP. It’s just that the Libertarian Party, and so many of its members, are uniquely inept.
Libertarians should stop blaming their own ineptitude on an “unfair” world. You talk “self responsibility.” Try and walk the talk.
It’s very sad that political opportunists/a**holes like Jon Ashjian can get on the ballot, and well-intentioned people like Savva can’t get on.
It’s a screwed up world alright.
It is up to candidates and their advisors to learn and follow rules.
think this is about the amount that the San Diego LP wanted me to pay to start getting the local Lib rag after they dropped my [accepted] request for a gratis copy of my CALVETS/ CDVA article, and never [well FINALLY ………] returned my extorted $5.oo ……….. Ah the bumbling unethical foes of bumbling unethical government!]
Sad but Im not surprised.