Serious question.
Can a Discordian become an elected official/public servant in the current political climate and still be considered a Discordian?
Does it make sense, can it make sense?
Obviously one wouldn't come out and say, "Hey, I'm a Discordian! Vote for me!", I'm talking about the "think for yourself schmuck" values and such. Because, there will be the temptation to "play the game" in order to win. In fact, it is probably necessary.
I ask these questions out of a two-fold curiousity.
#1 Well, it's a region of curiousity.
#2 I am seriously thinking about giving it a go in the near future. (as long as the wife goes along with it.)
Thoughts?
I don't think that doing X or Y (or even Z if you can fathom it) makes you any less of a Discordian.
You can be a Discordian politician just as much as you can be a Christian politician, inasmuch as neither stays true to their core principles for very long.
You usually end up as your average Douchebag politician.  There are far too many compromises to make in order to get things done & keep your job.  You become the Lowest Common Denominator.  
Then again, if you actually get elected, you can have a fuckingblast if you don't mind never working in the political arena ever again.
If discordianism teaches you one thing it's that all this is a game. If it's a game you might as well play it. Become king of the world - have fun.
Quote from: LMNO on March 05, 2007, 07:13:55 PMThen again, if you actually get elected, you can have a fuckingblast if you don't mind never working in the political arena ever again.
this is the correct exploding votercycle
No boundries...
Rev,
a) Get elected
b) Have the wackiest term in office you can muster
c) Then say: "Take that fuckers. That's what happens when you don't take the time to contemplate politics and vote."
Of course, now that I've made this post, I'm going to have to pay off all of you fuckers if I ever decide to run.  
Heh heh hee...
Quote from: Rev. What's-His-Name? on March 05, 2007, 07:39:53 PM
Of course, now that I've made this post, I'm going to have to pay off all of you fuckers if I ever decide to run.  
If you don't pay off my Tree of Life advocacy group, then things around Maine will start to get messy......sephirotically speaking.
Checks payable to: SSOOKN Vacation Fund.
Does the Tree of Life advocate the Slut Rings? Or is that another organization?
If that's anything like the Sex Swing,Ñ¢, yes.
Quote from: Cain on March 05, 2007, 07:46:36 PM
Does the Tree of Life advocate the Slut Rings?  Or is that another organization?
ahh yes, the slut rings. another fine SSOOKN project.
i think the slut rings was part of S.S.S.S.S. aka Stop State Sponsored Sexual Stupidity.
but if you think that, as a resident of Connecticut, that i should bug the hell out of Rev in Maine to get slut rings into the school system, then yes it should be part of the Tree Of Life Foundation.
ofuk
campaign ruined. :cry:
RWHN,
I think polystyrene noses should be cheaper!
Polystyrene noses should be free to Veterans & Senior Citizens!
I want red string to be heavily taxed and green string heavily subsidized!!
I want! I want! I want!
PS. This is what your life in office would be like, expect with sillier people with more ridiculous expectations.
So does that mean I would get official SSOOKN backing? And does that backing come in the form of campaign contributions? And do the campaign contributions come in the form of fine spirits?
RWHN,
Looking to fuel "the good fight" with Irish Whiskey. Seemed to work for Ted Kennedy.
Quote from: Rev. What's-His-Name? on March 05, 2007, 09:09:18 PM
So does that mean I would get official SSOOKN backing?  And does that backing come in the form of campaign contributions?  And do the campaign contributions come in the form of fine spirits?
RWHN,
Looking to fuel "the good fight" with Irish Whiskey.  Seemed to work for Ted Kennedy. 
SSOOKN support comes in the form of links to useless shit that you will think is cool but will annoy your wife.
Cf: Lark In The Morning.  :wink:
OK, things to consider.
If you are running for public office, are you running as part of a well-established (or even well known "fringe" party) or are you an independent? Local branches choose who runs for local seats, so you have to demonstrate some ideological purity to even get to that stage.
Once in office, do you intend to toe the party line or will you follow your own agenda? Does the office in question allow you do to that (think Commons Whips for example).
Thats a good start, I would say.
I would start small, school board or city council. And on that level, party isn't really as important as State Senator or State Representative. I also have the great fortune of having a French lastname, in a city that has lots of citizens of French dissent, so my name will do me more good than party. I probably would angle to run independant. I certainly wouldn't run as a Green Party candidate. I'd immediately be doomed to failure.
I'm starting to make some good connections in my newish job. I think I can work this for another year or two and get some more visibility and make a viable candidate. Of course, it will also depend on how much dough I'll personally have to drop for campaing signs, etc.
So, you're actually "Reverend What's-His-Nom"?
Hah, I like that. :lol:
Bump
I wouldn't vote for you, even if I could.
Heh, I forgot about this.
I think these plans will be put on hold for the time being.
I need to put some time in with this current job and do more networking.
Perhaps I will consider this again in 2010.