When I was a noncitizen living in Chile, I was not allowed to vote. I did, however, have the opportunity to view the election process. On every ballot for every position, there was a box one could check “NOLO.” By selecting NOLO, the ballot had been cast and would be counted as valid, and the ballot was counted as “none of the above.” If NOLO won, the existing candidates, and possibly new candidates, had to campaign again for the possibility of being elected. This worked extremely well in eliminating the “chaff” so to speak.
As we enter another election cycle at the local, state and federal level, I am reminded of a “Bizarro” cartoon published a short time ago. It depicted a reporter standing in front of a politician speaking from a podium. The reporter asked, “Is that the truth, or is it the manure du jour?” I often think we are being served the very same meal again, and again, and again.
Ed Delph
Brush Prairie
