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Have you ever thought of, ran for, or been elected to, or served in public office?

Have you ever thought of, ran for, or been elected to, or served in public office?

  • I was elected to public office.

    Votes: 4 16.0%
  • I served in a non-elected public office.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • I ran for office but did not win.

    Votes: 1 4.0%
  • I am running for office.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • I HAVE considered running for office.

    Votes: 9 36.0%
  • I have NOT considered running for office.

    Votes: 8 32.0%
  • Other (Please explain)

    Votes: 3 12.0%

  • Total voters
    25
Re: Have you ever thought of, ran for, or been elected to, or served in public office

I served on my county school board which was an elected position. I also ran for magistrate but lost by 65 votes.

Oh wow. Cool. How long did you do that for and what was it like? What sorts of changes did you make?

And 65 out of how many who voted?
 
Re: Have you ever thought of, ran for, or been elected to, or served in public office

Oh wow. Cool. How long did you do that for and what was it like? What sorts of changes did you make?

And 65 out of how many who voted?

4 years while my kid was in high school, tried to make that school stick to a budget without increasing taxes every year. There were 10k+ that voted in my district that year.
 
Re: Have you ever thought of, ran for, or been elected to, or served in public office

4 years while my kid was in high school, tried to make that school stick to a budget without increasing taxes every year. There were 10k+ that voted in my district that year.

That's good. That's the way to do it!

And wow - that sounds close - was there a recount?
 
Re: Have you ever thought of, ran for, or been elected to, or served in public office

That's good. That's the way to do it!

And wow - that sounds close - was there a recount?

no, I lost because I was "too" honest during a debate and lost a whole area in my district. it was no big deal really. It would have meant a lot of phone calls at home after 5pm.
 
Re: Have you ever thought of, ran for, or been elected to, or served in public office

no, I lost because I was "too" honest during a debate and lost a whole area in my district. it was no big deal really. It would have meant a lot of phone calls at home after 5pm.

Ah. Do you think you will ever run for office again?
 
Re: Have you ever thought of, ran for, or been elected to, or served in public office

Ah. Do you think you will ever run for office again?

no, kids are grown, I am looking forward to retiring in 10 years, will be making all the income possible between now and then
 
Re: Have you ever thought of, ran for, or been elected to, or served in public office

no, kids are grown, I am looking forward to retiring in 10 years, will be making all the income possible between now and then

Oh I see. What about something before then? Even something like, City/Town Council, or Mayor, or something like that?
 
Re: Have you ever thought of, ran for, or been elected to, or served in public office

Oh I see. What about something before then? Even something like, City/Town Council, or Mayor, or something like that?

not interested in the least, those days are behind me
 
Re: Have you ever thought of, ran for, or been elected to, or served in public office

I have considered running for public office, but am restricted at the moment due to my job (military) but when I'm done with my military service, I'd be honored to keep serving as a public servant in some form be it local, state or national. I have dreams of being National senator one day
 
Re: Have you ever thought of, ran for, or been elected to, or served in public office

If you want something done right, you've gotta do it yourself.

I ran for County Commissioner in 2012. I'll be running again in 2016. I found out if you put up about 1,000 signs and strategically mail out about 3,000 letters you could win a county wide election where I live. People show up to vote for president. Nobody really knows who serves in local office. They'll vote for the name they recognize. With a $12,000 investment you could win but the job only pays $11,600 per year. People won't donate to you. Even if they did, in my state campaign donations are limited to $4,000. The "big donors" in my area donate $1,000. I'm not so sure it's worth it unless you really are willing to do public service. You really cripple your ability to make a decent income while you are in office. It is a 5 person board so you are only 1 voice. It's quite a sacrifice. You have to sacrifice 4 years. You have to sacrifice your political views. You kinda sacrifice your invisibility. That's probably why you see very few people attempt it.

If you do want to make a point, you are probably the best qualified person to do it. It sucks that you can't trust somebody else to do it. Most elected officials feel obligated to run for office. It's a burden. It's better if you have the ability to complain at bad government with the intention of doing absolutely nothing. I hate those kind of people but they do have a better lot in life.
 
Re: Have you ever thought of, ran for, or been elected to, or served in public office

I have considered running for public office, but am restricted at the moment due to my job (military) but when I'm done with my military service, I'd be honored to keep serving as a public servant in some form be it local, state or national. I have dreams of being National senator one day

Very cool! What branch are you in? I was in USMCR Machine Gunner 2002 - 2007.

Also what state are you in - and/or would you run for Senate in?
 
Re: Have you ever thought of, ran for, or been elected to, or served in public office

I lost because I was "too" honest during a debate

That will lose an election for you. :( Honesty is only the best policy for the person wanting information. It's best to speak in vague terms without lying or telling the truth. Oh well. Maybe more noble things await you. :) It sounds like you are a lousy politician. Honesty is a bad trait for a politician especially in our country. Americans love to be lied to. If you don't believe me, just watch a commercial on TV.
 
Re: Have you ever thought of, ran for, or been elected to, or served in public office

I ran for County Commissioner in 2012. I'll be running again in 2016. I found out if you put up about 1,000 signs and strategically mail out about 3,000 letters you could win a county wide election where I live. People show up to vote for president. Nobody really knows who serves in local office. They'll vote for the name they recognize. With a $12,000 investment you could win but the job only pays $11,600 per year. People won't donate to you. Even if they did, in my state campaign donations are limited to $4,000. The "big donors" in my area donate $1,000. I'm not so sure it's worth it unless you really are willing to do public service. You really cripple your ability to make a decent income while you are in office. It is a 5 person board so you are only 1 voice. It's quite a sacrifice. You have to sacrifice 4 years. You have to sacrifice your political views. You kinda sacrifice your invisibility. That's probably why you see very few people attempt it.

If you do want to make a point, you are probably the best qualified person to do it. It sucks that you can't trust somebody else to do it. Most elected officials feel obligated to run for office. It's a burden. It's better if you have the ability to complain at bad government with the intention of doing absolutely nothing. I hate those kind of people but they do have a better lot in life.

Very cool you ran! Best of luck in 2016! If you want, PM me and we can talk more about strategizing and stuff.

But the part of that that I quoted, I don't think you ever "have to" sacrifice your beliefs. Always stand up for what you believe in.
 
Re: Have you ever thought of, ran for, or been elected to, or served in public office

Very cool! What branch are you in? I was in USMCR Machine Gunner 2002 - 2007.

Also what state are you in - and/or would you run for Senate in?
I am currently Army and Former Air Force- 16 years total service and looking to serve until they say I can not anymore. I am honored to serve and am proud of what the uniform stands for.
My home state is California. Very much the opposite side of the political spectrum as I am, but hey miracles happen.. I am currently stationed in Kansas. I'd run in California most likely, but possibly Nevada,Oregon, or Washington as well if I settle there. Those are all possible settling points for me at the moment after I'm done in the military.
 
Re: Have you ever thought of, ran for, or been elected to, or served in public office

I am currently Army and Former Air Force- 16 years total service and looking to serve until they say I can not anymore. I am honored to serve and am proud of what the uniform stands for.
My home state is California. Very much the opposite side of the political spectrum as I am, but hey miracles happen.. I am currently stationed in Kansas. I'd run in California most likely, but possibly Nevada,Oregon, or Washington as well if I settle there. Those are all possible settling points for me at the moment after I'm done in the military.

Very cool! You should follow me on FB & Twitter - I have links posted here in my signature. I could possibly help you out in some ways if/when you run. I can also get you connected with some big names in politics too. Better to start out earlier - now would be a good time.
 
Re: Have you ever thought of, ran for, or been elected to, or served in public office

Very cool! You should follow me on FB & Twitter - I have links posted here in my signature. I could possibly help you out in some ways if/when you run. I can also get you connected with some big names in politics too. Better to start out earlier - now would be a good time.

I definitely will do that on fb anyways, my twitter has been hacked too many times so I don't tweet anymore. And all help is appreciated when and if I do decide to run
 
Re: Have you ever thought of, ran for, or been elected to, or served in public office

That will lose an election for you. :( Honesty is only the best policy for the person wanting information. It's best to speak in vague terms without lying or telling the truth. Oh well. Maybe more noble things await you. :) It sounds like you are a lousy politician. Honesty is a bad trait for a politician especially in our country. Americans love to be lied to. If you don't believe me, just watch a commercial on TV.

I know, it is kind of funny even today. I ran for magistrate which manages a budget in the district for infrastructure including road maintenance, drainage, etc. This lady told me that she had built a new house close to this creek where she grew up and every time we received a lot of rain, 3" plus, the water would rise close to her house and getting in it one time. She asked what I do to correct this if elected:

I asked her how long that creek had been there? she replies: as long as she could remember

I asked if it ever flowed outside of the banks before she built her house there? she replied yes (laughter started in the back of the room)

I asked her if she checked with the county prior to building her house there? she replied yes and said they advised against it

By the then the laughter was incredibly loud. So I never really answered except to ask questions for clarity but she started campaigning against me in that area right after that debate.
 
Re: Have you ever thought of, ran for, or been elected to, or served in public office

I'd never run for political office because I know I'd never be elected. I won't kiss ass, I won't play games, I will do what I think is best for my constituents and for my community and I won't compromise my positions. If someone wants to do something I think is bad for my community, there's no way they will ever get me to vote for it, no matter what they promise me. I don't play well with crooks and political liars. Therefore, why bother running?
 
Re: Have you ever thought of, ran for, or been elected to, or served in public office

All of these are impossible except for the pi one. ;)
Challenge accepted
 
Re: Have you ever thought of, ran for, or been elected to, or served in public office

I know, it is kind of funny even today. I ran for magistrate which manages a budget in the district for infrastructure including road maintenance, drainage, etc. This lady told me that she had built a new house close to this creek where she grew up and every time we received a lot of rain, 3" plus, the water would rise close to her house and getting in it one time. She asked what I do to correct this if elected:

I asked her how long that creek had been there? she replies: as long as she could remember

I asked if it ever flowed outside of the banks before she built her house there? she replied yes (laughter started in the back of the room)

I asked her if she checked with the county prior to building her house there? she replied yes and said they advised against it

By the then the laughter was incredibly loud. So I never really answered except to ask questions for clarity but she started campaigning against me in that area right after that debate.

Haha that's interesting.
 
Re: Have you ever thought of, ran for, or been elected to, or served in public office

I'd never run for political office because I know I'd never be elected. I won't kiss ass, I won't play games, I will do what I think is best for my constituents and for my community and I won't compromise my positions. If someone wants to do something I think is bad for my community, there's no way they will ever get me to vote for it, no matter what they promise me. I don't play well with crooks and political liars. Therefore, why bother running?

That's exactly WHY you SHOULD run. Would you rather only bad people run?

If bad people are going to win - it's best to cut into their support as much as you can. Because you weaken their influence and educate people through campaign and debate.

Sometimes, people like an honest politician - if you are funny enough.

Would you rather a bad politician get nominated or elected without opposition? Or would you rather them win only 80% - and know that even if 20% of the people voted for you - that you got that base of support.

For all you know, that could've inspired a future elected official who could possibly win.

It isn't for you that you run. You run because you want to offer your community something that is good for them. Because you want to show those people - even if they're only in the minority - that their views do not go unrepresented in the election. Because democracy matters and you offer them a choice. And that they have a chance at something better. Regardless of how great or small that chance is.

Because sometimes, doing the unlikely and impossible is more fun - and meaningful.
 
Re: Have you ever thought of, ran for, or been elected to, or served in public office

Well I certainly dont have any skeletons in my closet.


Only a black latexsuit, ropes, chains, cuffs and some horsewhips.
 
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