Why I'm Dropping Out: The Grange Party Debacle Pt.6
My protest is over. I've officially withdrawn from the Wahkiakum County clerk race.
The worst thing you can call me is a crusader. I'm not a crusader, I'm just trying to make a point. And I think I made it crystal clear: It's wrong for me to drag a private association unwittingly onto the public ballot.
There, said it, done, no need to drag this on toward the November election.
Here are some closing thoughts about my protest:
What I did --declaring my candidacy under the banner of the Grange Party--would have been unimaginable before Washington's new election law was applied. Now the state, without restriction, has given the name Grange to any taker. I don't like this state intrusion. It has allowed me to change the message of a group. There is no such thing as a Grange Party, but that's what it would look like to voters who don't read legal disclaimers on their ballots
It's easy to dislike the Democratic and Republican parties. And many are happy that the new law hurts them. But there's collateral damage here. What about the other plaintiff in the current court case to overturn the law--the Libertarians? They hardly hold the reins of power. And they're not by any means benefiting from the current system like the multimillion dollar Democratic and GOP campaign-committee operations that control congress and our state legislatures
Libertarian Party members are mostly people discussing obscure Austrian economic ideas that call for limited government. Why shouldn't the Libertarians pick someone among them to stand for office without the state butting in?
Looking back, perhaps I should have chosen an organization which would have been more willing to protect its trademark? How about the Prefers Starbucks Party? Maybe Microsoft? The best would be the Prefers Walt Disney Party--because claiming Disney would further demonstrate what a Mickey-Mouse system this is.
Alas, the cartoon analogy was an irresistible cheap shot. So I'll close on a positive word for the proponents of the election law I'm protesting. Sure, they seek to open up the process. And more inclusion is a good thing because a lot of this problem is the fault of the two major parties. However, in trying to open things up, they've torn the lid off a bucket of worms regarding the right of private association and the ways a group ought to control its message.
There's a simple solution: Let parties nominate their own candidates. If there's a party label next to a candidate's name on the ballot, I want to know that the party is backing the candidate.
18 comment(s)
kaitlyn says:
Krist, I do believe you can make a big difference in basically anything you do. Your opinions are always right in so many ways. I still think you should stay in the running, but only you know for sure.
Posted On: Friday, Jun. 12 2009 @ 3:43PM
Ruger Ribeiro says:
Back to music?
Posted On: Friday, Jun. 12 2009 @ 5:34PM
Allan Santos says:
Oi eu sou o allan, do Brasil.Cara vc tem que fazer sucesso, eu sei que voce consegue, não desista.
Voce é um otimo baixista
Posted On: Friday, Jun. 12 2009 @ 5:46PM
Kahlid says:
Would have done the same thing brother.
Posted On: Saturday, Jun. 13 2009 @ 2:30PM
jeff C. says:
hmm... maybe the Disney/Pixar party would of been more appropriate!
as for dropping out, I hate to see one of the only voices of reason give in... when it comes to making a point, best to keep poking them in the chest sometimes, eh?
Posted On: Saturday, Jun. 13 2009 @ 11:58PM
ron schaefer says:
Let's not call Krist's dropping from the race 'giving in' and bemoan a 'failed' effort ... rather, let's call it a fine effort to draw attention to serious flaws in the system.
Krist has made this effort with serious risk in his relationship to his Grange as a consequence. The choice taken came with full knowledge that the Grange NEVER endorses an individual candidate. Many older members of the Grange may well now turn a deaf ear to this young whipper-snapper who 'dared to drag our good name in the mud'.
...as for me? I've been a member for 40 years, and I can only hope to meet him this week at convention, and express my appreciation for his effort in person.
Posted On: Sunday, Jun. 14 2009 @ 12:11PM
Anonymous says:
Well played route to a point. Initially there was some confusion on our part, that arrived with all the rhetoric encompassing said DINO's [democrat in name only] and RINO's [republican in name only]of which their party's apparently would not support them on their ticket -- you cleared that issue up for us. Thank You and the Seattle Weekly for your argument.
Jose_Cuervo_perfers_tequila_party
running on the promise to help preserve the "family reserve" values
Posted On: Sunday, Jun. 14 2009 @ 2:10PM
Jeff says:
Mr. Novoselic, since you are temporarily out of politics, could you engineer a Nirvana reunion with Pat Smear and Dave Grohl? That would be awesome.
Posted On: Sunday, Jun. 14 2009 @ 2:30PM
Shelly says:
Krist I would have to say, I am more then disapponited in you dropping out of the race. Since, when does a Novoselic give up on anything? I have read bits and bytes of your biography and your parnets did everything in their power to come to this country and keep a roof over their childrens heads in spite of the odds.I would never call you a crusader. Crusaders historically has a negative flavor to them. Why not re-file your papers and put down Evergreen as party of choice? After, all when you are being sworn into office you would have to defend the consitution of the state of Washington, which is the Evergreen State.
Posted On: Sunday, Jun. 14 2009 @ 4:59PM
Marty, The Atomic Dog says:
Krist,
i thought that was a good picture, so i put it through a little photoshopping.
hope you don't mind.
it's on the grapes4apes.com site.
Posted On: Monday, Jun. 15 2009 @ 6:56AM
Osty says:
Oh well,even if you did drop out then there is always next year,and your also in Flipper, so really you would have little time with it. Good luck next year and im hoping to find the Flipper album at Wal Mart,cant find it :( , oh well i'll keep searching! Peace Man have a good one,cant wait to go to Seattle this summer:) Finally out of Canada.
Posted On: Monday, Jun. 15 2009 @ 11:58AM
Santiago says:
Krist listen this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tK0aFOldzys
thanks!
Posted On: Monday, Jun. 15 2009 @ 4:08PM
Shelly says:
Krist, read the comments of your readership most of them are not engaged in the political process. They are only interested in the facet of your music which is fine, but you also have a great political skills,so run!
Posted On: Monday, Jun. 15 2009 @ 7:22PM
Mary says:
Krist makes me very proud to be a member of the Grange. I too support his protest and trust that most of my fellow Grangers (young and old alike) can welcome his ideas.
Posted On: Monday, Jun. 15 2009 @ 10:00PM
Scott says:
I must say I'm disappointed to hear about the rationale for your decision.
By using "Grange Party," you haven't picked a private name on a public ballot. Rather, you have picked something that describes yourself.
It is not your responsibility to make sure everyone reading the ballot clearly understands the difference between your party and the Grange.
All voters need to keep in mind that our new election system is about individuals -- not political parties. Parties should not have instant access to the ballot simply because a lot of people like them. Parties are political clubs and action committees. They have no more right to demand a spot on the ballot than a labor union, the NRA, or the local Elks lodge.
The top-two qualifying election system reflects Washington's populist traditions and was championed, ironically, by the Grange -- and it works much better than the old pick-a-party system.
Posted On: Wednesday, Jun. 17 2009 @ 9:58AM
Cort says:
Mr. Novoselic,
Thanks for getting involved locally. I'm miles away from you, but I know how people like to complain about national government while letting their community dissolve.
I live near Detroit and the city is hurting and still there is such luxuriation by the well-heeled. I guess it's their loss to not be able to interact with other people... I wish there was more news coverage and attention paid to humble local heroes like you. Keep up the good work, and I'll do my part in Detroit.
Thanks,
Cort
Posted On: Thursday, Aug. 6 2009 @ 9:58AM
Mary says:
I was pondering elections past and remembered a 2002 election in which a man who called himself Prophet Atlantis was in the running for a State Representative position. He was and is, what most would consider, a nut with his own local cable access program (which has included sock puppets). He is a very liberal minded individual, but when he ran for office he chose to be on the ballot as a Republican. Needless to say, the Republicans were not thrilled, but their hands were tied. You can read about it at http://www.spokesmanreview.com/news-story.asp?date=091602&ID=s1217176&cat=section.spokane
Posted On: Monday, Aug. 17 2009 @ 10:50PM
M says:
Mike the Mover, Prophet Atlantis and a couple of others run all the time mostly to drum up publicity over their business. But they actually have very common ideas that are being put into practice.
One thing I find offensive is when they are called "nuts" "a nut with his own local cable access program" by the same people who demand more people enter the race. I have talked to Mike and Prophet and a few others and at no time have they ever said anything "crazy", "nuts", or even offensive or that was not being said by the pretty people in the thousand dollar suits and dresses who were props for the same old parties.
One thing I did find interesting is that I have seen some of these perennial candidates up in the hill where I work advocating for housing, moving industries, mental health reform, health care reform and other areas. Maybe instead of running for office what you might want to do is become a cable TV host or lobbyest or advocate or advisor. I talked to my aunt who tells me she sees Prophet on her way to work organizing volunteer street cleaning daily. I have seen him up here on the hill and in Seattle attending and speaking at conferences and other political events and hobnobbing with politicians and heads of depts. My friend used MiKe the Movers services a while back and had no problem with him and had a long conversation about his tame politics.
Just remember that most people won't run for office if they feel like they will be made fun of or called names if they lose. Most people don't even run for office and yet complain, complain, complain......
Good luck on your next move in life, friend.
Posted On: Monday, Aug. 31 2009 @ 7:30PM