How many times have you stared at a ballot, shaking your head, because there wasn’t a viable candidate to vote for? If you are like me, probably more than you can count. How many times have you reluctantly voted for the person you felt was the best of two evils, or the candidate that you felt would do the least harm, rather than who would do the most good? Again, if you are anything like me, you have pondered these decisions more than you’d like. Perhaps at every recent election? Maybe you are like some people, and just refuse to vote because there aren’t any candidates you feel worth voting for. You figure your vote won’t do much anyway, and regardless who is elected, things will remain the same or continue to grow worse. Every have such thoughts? Ever stay home and not vote because of these kinds of thoughts? What would you say if all ballots were changed to provide an option that you could be satisfied marking, and that could possibly make a difference? Interested?

I’m currently reading Hologram of Liberty by Kenneth W. Royce, a.k.a. Boston T. Party. The book contains Royce’s examination, research, and analysis on the United States of America’s Constitution. It’s an eye opening book, and it in, Royce sets out a list of changes he believes would make our country better and closer to the ideal of true liberty. One of his suggestions really made me think, and I believe it would be a great idea to implement for all elections, regardless of the level of government. Here is the suggestion as Royce proposes, “inclusion of a ‘Reject’ choice on all ballots and if no candidate receives more votes than ‘Reject’ did, then a new election with different candidates shall be held.”

Wouldn’t you like to be able to say, “None of you should be in office, start over.” I know I’d sure feel better than voting for the lessor of two evils, or the person I felt would do the least damage in office. Maybe we could get candidates that the people actually want in office and that would serve the people, rather than make a career out of being a politician.

The problem I see if finding candidates that people want, because they will serve, and not be taken over by the political machine that has grown to an enormous beast with a life of its own. Would we be able to “do over” and find the proper candidates? I don’t know, but we sure need to do something to change the way things are done now. Obviously, having the opportunity to not vote for any of the above and create a “do over” would not solve everything, and it would cost more, and so forth. But it sure is an idea that makes one feel better thinking about when pondering the choices we’ve had in so many elections.