As far as the poll is concerned: hey nothing ventured nothing gained. I don't think it hurt to at least try it, and by voting, we as a society can express our like or dislike.
Personally, it was slightly confusing, but once I went throught he nomination thread I just wrote down my choices on a piece of paper. Then I went and found my match.
It may have been easier to read if single candidates weren't included, but no harm no foul.
Perhaps in the future, with fewer nominations we can vote in one poll, but if there are many nominations we could go back to the old way. Perhaps if the choices will lead to more than 16 or 20 or so combinations we should use that as a cut-off and go back to single polling.
Originally posted by duke o' york
On a tangentially related topic, I am considering the possibility of starting the duke o' york's Political Accountability office: a regulatory body for our government departments to highlight those officeholders who are not fully earning their salaries. I know that I have attracted the rivalry (well, it's not as serious as enmity or anything) of the Duck of Flanders for my previous foray into this realm and would like to make the perhaps foolish announcement that I am not scared of what muck you may care to chuck in my direction should I find that you have been remiss in your duties. The thread I want to start would allow ministers and governors to explain their absence from duty or the reasons for their not following the rules of administration before appropriate measures were considered to counter such problems in future. Is this a useful addition to our already bureaucratic system, or would it just create a number of sinecure posts without purpose?
Duke:
This is similar to the idea that others were expressing about a newspaper of sorts, and I think it's a great idea. Is not the press the watchdog of a democracy?
I would consider starting one up myself if I do not have a position in the upcoming cabinet. I think that the potential is endless.
Certainly, it would still have to abide by the forum rules - so it could not go by the name of The Daily Flamer or anything.
What it could provide is some reporting (hopefully somewhat unbiased), perhaps an editorial section with a point-counterpoint, perhaps some interviews with key government or former government people, and so on (this could be fun to do by perhaps printing a "chat" session). People could send you letters, Duke, like a "Letters to the Editor" section - and you could invite others to write Op Ed pieces and things like that.
Around election time, why not allow the candidates to write their positions - then put them in the same post so the comparisons can be right there.
I think if it's done fairly, it could be great fun and a very interesting exercise! I think it would take a good editor, and if I can't get you to take an office, Duke, I could think of no better person for the job.
