The Power of the Internet
 

Over the last several years, some of us have tried to call others to action. That is to say, we have tried to promote our candidates and cause people to vote for them.

How effective has this been? The following are the results of the last several elections. The startling thing is that the number of ballots cast has not significantly changed.

What does this mean? It is apparent that most people that post, regardless of who they supported, are not willing to get up off their butt and go out and try to influence their friends and club members in the real world.

Let’s suppose for a minute that 300 people post during the election period, and each go out and influences the ballot of 10 other people… just 10. That would equate to 3000 votes. In looking at the races for national office, that is, simply, not enough to bring about change. Each committed individual has to commit to influencing many more ballots.

What else have we learned? Well, I am one of the experts on this. ATTACK POLITICS DO NOT WORK. Expose the thoughts of your candidate, but, DO NOT make attacks on the others. This does not mean don’t raise real issues or ask questions. Making statements that Joe Shmoe is a dork, is useless and probably inspires many more to vote for Joe. As with most forums, there are many more lurkers than posters. Put a positive spin on your candidate, don’t bother attacking someone else. Write to your candidate, or call, and get his views on issues. Get his permission to pass them along, and do so.

The three candidates for President in this election have all committed to a clean election. Each has expressed respect for the others. Is your post in keeping with the wishes of your candidate? How many people can you go out into the real world and convince that your candidate is the right one? This is the potential of the internet, not bashing the other candidate. Bashing simply does not work.


JR


Results 1999 Election

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
* Doug Holland 8,278

DISTRICT III VICE PRESIDENT

* Bob Brown 1,075

DISTRICT XI VICE PRESIDENT

Bruce Nelson 703
Al Culver 299

Results of Special Election
in District VII

William Oberdieck 1548
* Dave Gish 1196



Election 2000 Results

District II
Dave Mathewson 1943
Other 89

District IV
Chuck Foreman 1572
Others 78

District VI
Charlie Bauer 2309
Others 123

District VIII
Sandy Frank 2333
Others 118

District X
Rich Hanson 3535
Others 148




Election 2001 Results

President
Dave Brown 16,339
Rich Hanson 4,710
Frank Tiano 6,739

District I
Don Kraft 1,231

District V
Jim McNeill 2065
Manny Sousa 804
Tony Stillman 1985

District IX
Russ Miller 673
P. M. McGuigan 568




2002 Election Results
(Added 11/26/02)

Executive Vice President
Doug Holland 12,585
Doug Barry 3,689
Horrace Cain 3,155

District III
Bob Brown 1,866

District IV
Bliss Teague 1,099
Randy Elliot 459

District VII
Bill Oberdieck 1,437
Dave Gish 827

District XI
Bruce Nelson 1,112



2003 Election Results
(Added 11/24/03)

District II
Dave Mathewson 1,717

District IV
Bliss Teague 1,233

District VI
Charlie Bauer 1,918

District VIII
Sandy Frank 1,931
Horrace Cain 553
Michael Moss 471


District X
Richard Hanson 3,097

RE: The Power of the Internet
 

Hi ya'll,
JR's election input is interesting and deserves serious consideration.
Bottom line> GET OUT THE VOTE!!!
Consder president vote> there are 3 canidates, one is incumbent.
The vote will be divided 3 ways. The incumbent will get his share, as in the past perhaps 50% with the remainder split between the other two.

For any change to be the only chance seems to be for the incumbent to
get less than 50% and one of the others to have a land slide. That could
happen but an aid would be a vastly greater total vote .
Last election total was 12% of membership, should be easy to add to that?
Again> want a decent election? GET OUT THE VOTE!!!!
How's zat?

Hal deBokt

RE: The Power of the Internet
 

This is precisely what I am attempting to do. I don't care who you vote for, just stop whining and vote. It couldn't be simpler, just tear off the ballot, fill it out and drop it in the mail box. Heck, it's already postage paid, you don't even have to buy a stamp.

JimRoss
AMA 778628

RE: The Power of the Internet
 

jim, et al:

i am willing to wager that 95% or better of the folks that read this forum vote regularly.

as in

yer preaching to the choir in here about stop whining and vote.

carry that message to the other forums, if ya really wana see a change in voter turnout.

RE: The Power of the Internet
 

Mongo,
I suggest a different tactic entirely. TAKE THE INFORMATION BACK TO YOUR CLUB MEETINGS!

RE: The Power of the Internet
 

so, a club meeting is not another forum?????


news to me.

but ok, single that forum out if ya want, just remember that anygathering of more than one, is a forum.

RE: The Power of the Internet
 

Works for me!