Wasted Ballots and Negative Ads

In the Journal this morning; there is a editorial regarding
the million and a half wasted ballots, link sub req.

The editor makes some good points about the number of ballots that were wasted in the last election.

I still would like to know; who made 86 cents profit,
on the 89 cent ballots;
essentially xerox copies on colored paper?

And are they related in some way, to the public servant
who purchased them in our name?

And, why are we paying to shred them?

Is there going to be another June 3, 2008 primary?
in which the ballots might some how be abused?

Also, there is a letter to the editor from Linn Tytler, link
who decries not only the number of, but the very
existence of (deceitful) negative campaign ads on TV.

In the annual surveys done to rank professions according to
trustworthiness, politicians rank at the bottom.

Part of that has to be that,
even the winner in a mud slinging contest, leaves the
contest, still covered with mud.

Voters, need to take the lead on the issue.
Organize, the venues are already there,
League of Women Voters, Common Cause, others.

Demand that candidates stand up on a weekly(?) basis,
face to face with each other and with voters, for debates,
and/or town hall meetings.

Swear not to vote for any candidate lacking the character
and the courage to show up
like NM1 Candidate Darren White, as but one example.

You have to blame the voters on that one.

There you have it, my two cents, for free