Why aren't you a member of Congress?

[ProSense]

What's stopping you from running?

You:

• are progressive
  
  
• are smarter than the current members of Congress
  
  
• know how to get the country and the economy back on track
  
  
• have a spine
  
  
• can run a campaign

Why not run and show them how it's done?

[ret5hd]

1. Even my friends know better than to elect me.

:smoke:

[Clio the Leo]

2. Excellent question Proey. NT

[MercutioATC]

3. It doesn't pay enough.

...at least not for the amount of effort involved.


I'm pretty happy doing what I'm doing.

[ProSense]

4. So you're saying they're underpaid? n/t

[Hippo_Tron]

6. He's saying it doesn't pay enough for him to do it personally

That doesn't mean other qualified people aren't willing to do it for that amount.

[ProSense]

11. Right, so he believes they're underpaid. n/t

[Hippo_Tron]

22. People don't get the same amount of happiness from the same activity

For example, I enjoy commenting on politics but I don't really enjoy playing Baseball. If I could make enough money commenting on politics to live off of, you would have to pay me a very large amount of money (probably around what an MLB player makes) to make me give that up and play Baseball for a living instead.

On the other hand, my friends are mostly the opposite. They would play Baseball for a living for far less than an MLB player would make and you would have to pay them a lot of money to give that up to become a political commentator.

[MercutioATC]

49. Not at all. They just have to go through a lot more than I do...

...especially during campaigns.

I work 40 hours a week, no more, and have the same benefits (and nearly the same salary) as Congressmen.


It's just not worth it.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

82. I'd argue that - absolutely. (nt)

[harun]

108. Agree. Should get much more, esp. for House of Rep's.

[MercutioATC]

117. I'm not saying THAT...

It just doesn't pay enough to be worth it for me.

[harun]

125. Well I am saying it.

[treestar]

142. Then you should not be one of the ones criticizing them, right?

You have all of those qualities, yet are not willing to serve your country because it's not worth enough money.

[Ohio Joe]

5. I'm an atheist

No chance of winning :(

[ProSense]

8. You never know. There is at least one member:

Stark is the first openly atheist member of Congress, as announced by the Secular Coalition for America.<35> Stark acknowledged his atheism in response to an SCA questionnaire sent to public officials in January 2007.

link

Rep. Stark applauded for atheist outlook

[tkmorris]

15. Perhaps, but Stark had already won that seat 16 times

When you are an incumbent that beloved by your district they can forgive you. WINNING the seat as an avowed Atheist is another kettle of fish.

[ProSense]

17. Keith Ellison ran and became the first Muslim. n/t

[dmallind]

29. and atheists are about 50-70% more distrusted and politically unacceptable than Muslims

That said, the question overall to most DU armchair QBs is valid.

[Ohio Joe]

21. That is true

When I lived in Ohio perhaps this was something to concern me more... Now I live in MA... I will think about this.

[tkmorris]

12. Same here

I'd have a TON of obstacles getting in the way of getting elected but that one stands tall above all the others.

[treestar]

143. No excuse

For the House, the contests are not at such high profile that it would become an issue.

[Hippo_Tron]

7. I like my private life to be private

I would like to do consulting/strategy at some point in my life. But I don't want the attention and scrutiny that comes from being a celebrity.

[FrenchieCat]

9. I live in Barbara Lee's district

and she doesn't need a replacement. :)

[a la izquierda]

10. I have tattoos all over...

and a lesbian mom. No way on this green earth anyone outside of L.A. is going to elect me.

[boppers]

37. You've never been to Portland, maybe?

Heck, tattoos and being open about your sexuality are *positive* electoral factors here.

[a la izquierda]

78. nope, never been...

my husband loves it though.
being unapologetically supportive of GLBT rights in Oklahoma is not a good thing, most of the time. i'd never get elected here, but then again, i'll only be living here for another year or so anyway.

[treestar]

144. You don't know that until you have tried

Who thought we'd have a black president?

[Goldstein1984]

13. Also an Atheist

No way to get past the de facto "religious test for public office" that elections have become.

And in spite of my legendary campaign for President of Mr. Brach's 5th Grade Class, I'm not that sure I can run a campaign.

How about that "Draft John Mellencamp Campaign," though? Pretty cool.

[ProSense]

14. Pete

Stark has.

[Goldstein1984]

25. You're right. I forgot about Stark.

And he was even re-elected after coming out. Impressive. He's from California, though.

I live in Alaska, surrounded on all sides by people who call Palin "Sarah."

I think your challenge is a good one. And I don't think atheism is reason enough not to run. My truthful answer, aside from not having the money or corporate backing, is that I don't believe that either party offers a solution any longer--both are lost to the people.

I like to think the masses are close to their breaking point, and the next significant change is going to come from the same process of past revolutionary change--revolt. It's one of the reasons we live in Alaska.

That isn't hyperbole or drama. It's what I really believe.

[struggle4progress]

16. First, I never learned to read the sports pages so I could babble inanities

Second, I'm really really bad at smiling sincerely and keeping my fat yap shut when people yammer crap at me

Third, when I speak I neither put people to sleep nor do I spout popular idiocies: I just irritate people

Fourth, I don't have a talent for making other people feel smart

Fifth, I can't remember ten thousand people's names together with a nice tidbit about them

There's a lot more, but that's a good start ...

[ProSense]

19. That actually means

you possess none of the qualifications in the OP.

[struggle4progress]

28. Could be. But my actual point was that the list in the OP doesn't really reflect what's

required to be a successful candidate

[smalll]

18. Not a multi-millionaire. /nt

[dsc]

20. because I don't have a Pope's prayer of raising the amount of money needed

among other reasons. Gay in the south is a problem too. Luckly I am in David Price's district which is one of the good guys.

[ProSense]

24. House races don't involve as much as statewide races.

Marcia Fudge

Fundraising cannot be an excuse, you have to be able to persuade.

[Telly Savalas]

32. That's one of the most heavily Democratic districts in the country.

Find an example of somebody winning in a remotely purple area while spending less than $100K, and you might have more of an argument.

[ProSense]

33. "remotely purple area while spending less than $100K"

So you need a lot of money to win in areas that aren't heavily Democratic?

[dsc]

38. post citizens united it would take a minimum of a million

plus even without that, unless you are well known before hand, and I am not, then it takes a ton of money to introduce yourself to the populace. In my district's case I would have to advertize in Raleigh/Durham and Greensboro media markets. It would take at least a million or two to do that effectively. I bet even Price, who has incumbancy and name rec, will spend that amount or more.

[dsc]

44. could you be more misleading

she got the nomination given to her by the Democratic committee in that district, had no primary opposition, and ran in the most Democratic district in Ohio. Yes, you can win spending next to no money if you fall into that. Otherwise, you have to spend bucks.

[ProSense]

45. Wait

"she got the nomination given to her by the Democratic committee in that district, had no primary"

She didn't have to run against a Republican?

[dsc]

69. in a district where Republican equals NAZI

literally Hitler could run as a Democrat there and win without spending a ton of money. Several precints in that district registered 0 votes for Bush in 8 years.

[proudohioan]

124. dsc is correct.....

East Cleveland didn't even have a Republican on the ballot for their Mayoral Election.

[proudohioan]

123. Marcia Fudge was selected to replace Stephanie Tubbs Jones seat..

after Jones untimely death in August of that year.

[insanity]

23. not old enough

The day I am though, I'd like to

[ChicagoSuz219]

26. In a race against Jan Schakowsky...

...even I'd vote for her! LOL

[ProSense]

27. .

:rofl:

[Hissyspit]

30. Um, I'm an atheist?

Well, that's been covered.

Also have chronic illness. Couldn't handle the stress.

[Zenlitened]

31. EPIC FLAIL.

[ProSense]

34. I take it

you aren't planning on running?

[Bobbie Jo]

35. LOL

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[tavalon]

36. I'm a polamorist

That alone would keep me from being elected. Second, the two party system is a real tough nut to crack. But mostly, it's that I have two husbands that would keep me from getting elected.

It's a good idea though. We keep waiting for a savior when it's obvious that we must be our own saviors.

[Teaser]

41. where's the like button?

oh yeah, not facebook. forgot.

[tavalon]

42. I think the smiley wave would work

Fellow poly, perhaps?

[boppers]

39. Too many skeletons in my closet.

I might make for good primary material, though, just to make the people I'm running against look like better choices.

:evilgrin:

[Teaser]

40. I'm a fucking drunk and have no morals when it comes to sex

.

[MercutioATC]

50. I'd vote for you

:)

[krispos42]

68. Yeah, that could be a problem.

You'd have to run as a Republican.


:D

[Oregone]

43. Poor socialistic agnostic expat pot smoker without schmoozy connections

But the rest of your criteria fit in. Hell, Im even educated at an elitist school (and lived with elitist members of society). Might I add, I look incredibly great naked.

Im more fit for starting a cult with my leadership abilities and natural charisma

[Raineyb]

46. Your question presumes that the voting public appreciates intelligence.

There's very little evidence that that's at all true.

[ProSense]

58. No, it doesn't

The excuses here are pretty funny though.

[Raineyb]

85. Yes it does.

Of course you'll argue it won't because apparently the crack about thinking one is smarter than the current crop of congress critters isn't a comment on intelligence. Not really a surprise that you don't seem to read your own arguments.

And frankly, there's nothing written that says that one has to get into the nasty business of politics to give a damn about how it affects our lives so I'm not really sure what the point of your particular brain fart is this time around.

I'm not interested in giving up my privacy, I don't have the money and I live in a bloody expensive state. I don't want to run for congress. But it damn sure doesn't mean I've given up the right to get the best candidate possible.

This OP is really quite ridiculous.

[verges]

47. Well..

1) I couldn't get elected dogcatcher. People just don't really seem to take to me. I don't know why.
2) I have an acceptable Dem Congressman now. Tim Ryan.

[HillbillyBob]

48. Gay, Gay, Gay, in Rural NC

Short tempered, limited patience with BS and Kreestian BS at that.
checkered past. Smoke mj when I get a chance(not very often)
HIV/AIDs.
Short of patience with BS. I am not nice in the morning. Crabby.
Tell people off when I think they are full of shit..which would mean spending all day ever day in WDC tellin folks they are full of it.
Brad Miller is Rep and he seems to be holding on ok.
Prone to beating up rednecks who are holier than thou or bullies or throwing vodka in their faces..cept I don't drink vodka..so stealin anothe congrespersons drink is bad form and I would not waste bourbon.
and my 4 rescue dogs would miss me and so would husbear.
Edited to add
piercings in shocking places(a deterrant to getting on air liners they would think I m a terrerist(actually Im on (*) no fly list), and a tattoo and like to take my black leather with me.

[Dappleganger]

52. "Piercings in shocking places"

oooh, that would throw michelle bachmann into a tizzy, LOL!

[Dappleganger]

51. Skeletons in my closet. nt

[JoeyT]

53. It'd be fun to try.

But ultimately just a waste of money.
I can't see people voting in an atheist in Alabama.
Even if they did someone would shoot him/her within a month.

[Kaleva]

54. My arrest record would cause problems.

[CLANG]

55. My skeletons came out of the closet years ago

and are now sitting on the sofa eating all the Cheeto's!!:grr:

[Dappleganger]

56. ROFL! nt

[ohiodemocratic]

57. I'm not an American citizen, and don't have the $700 to become one

And if I decided to get naturalized, I'd have to wait 7 years before running as Representative and 9 to become a Senator.

[Umbral]

62. opps

[DrToast]

59. Easy...

[cliffordu]

60. Besides the porn film and the alchoholism and the mental illness??

I'm rested and ready to serve!!!

[WorseBeforeBetter]

61. The hot tubs at Dewey Beach.

Do you hold public office? If not, what are your reasons for not running?

[donheld]

63. Why would I run against Diana Degette

Michael Bennet has a good challenger too.

[asdjrocky]

64. Why aren't you picking my nose right now?

Because you don't want to. I don't want you to. And it just looks bad.

[Sebastian Doyle]

65. I don't have any corporate donors, or a spare $100 million in the bank

:evilfrown:

[Incitatus]

66. I don't want the media digging into my past.

I wouldn't have a chance.

[Incitatus]

67. So what is your reason?

[Dulcinea]

70. John Lewis is my Congressman.

Too many skeletons in my closet, and I don't have the money.

[racaulk]

102. He's my Congressman too.

He's rather progressive on most issues and can stay in office indefinitely, as far as I'm concerned.

Hi neighbor! :hi:

[rasputin1952]

71. I have thought about it...

didn't really until recently, when people around here actually asked me why I don't run.

I found this interesting, as I am in Nebraska, and D's are generally seen by the locals as being in League w/satan.

However, after a few Town Hall meetings, (one in which i was asked to leave a few years back by the soon to retire Rep, because I asked some tough questions about HCR back then), I was looked upon favorably by the Local D's; the ones who actually have some power.

In the political arena, I am not afraid to call a BS artist a BS artist, and I would be a little rougher on R's than Grayson. Like Rachel, I do my homework and can hold my own w/the best of them, but I, like everyone else carry some baggage. Nothing criminal, but some things should be kept private IMO and do not have anything to do w/character per se, but are perceived to have something to do w/character. I've been in debt, had a bankruptcy, had a DWI many years ago and some other stuff that are considered "negatives".

What I do possess, far above any negatives, is the ability to handle myself in situations that can easily befuddle others. I have yet to come across the person I can't take on in a one on one situation, and often find myself in contrast to entire groups of wild eyed RW'ers...I haven't "lost" an argument yet against them. Put me in a room w/people and i can change a few minds...all it takes are facts and the ability to present them in a logical way...the powers of darkness crumble before the light.

Then again, when i come across people that are completely full of shit, I call them on it immediately...Boehner and I would be interesting sparring partners...he wouldn't last 5 minutes on the floor...;)

[karynnj]

72. Great question

I've read some of the thread and one conclusion that I have reached is that for the best Congress people/Senators, it is a sacrifice and a call to public service to make a better world.

To answer the question myself, I can see that in my district, it would be near impossible for a Democrat to win the Congressional seat, or the state assembly or state Senate seat (not US Senate.) In some election years, I have seen extremely good, smart, highly qualified people throw their hearts and souls into races for those seats, spending enormous time and energy speaking to as many people as positive - to get results only marginally better than sacrificial lambs that gave little more than their names to fill out the ballot.

That doesn't even get to personal weaknesses - such as being shy and introverted enough that I really have to force myself to ignore those feelings when phonebanking or canvassing for others, which is, of course, far easier.

Having watched one Senator interact with constituents with respect and politeness, always keep his temper with a usually hostile media, and constantly reach out to his peers - even when they have wronged him, what amazes me is that he manages to stay focused on why he is there even when things that should work out, don't.

The best legislators have to have sufficient people skills and articulateness to win an election. They also have to be extremely hard working. Then in DC, to be good legislators, they need the ability to manage their staff well. Every Senator has multiple committees where, to be useful, they need to become, at least, very well informed on the range of topics overseen by the committee.

Now consider what other opportunities would be for someone with these personal skills and it is obvious that the best legislators could easily have top jobs in business, education, non-profits etc likely working far less often, without having two locations where they needed to spend a huge amount of time making more money. Not to mention not having to deal with the attacks on their personal integrity - often even from people on their side.

[Jennicut]

73. Because we already have some really good people running in CT.

I consider myself lucky. I love my rep. Chris Murphy. I really like Blumenthal for the Senate. Ned Lamont is running for Gov. It doesn't get much better then that. Plus, I am only 34 and have no experience in politics. And I have a 4 and 5 year old to take care of at home.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

74. a STFU thread by any other name would smell as bad...

This OP is the direct political equivalent of what Kurt Vonnegut said was the worst thing about America:

The phrase, "If you're so smart why aren't you rich?"

[Soylent Brice]

95. ^^^^^^

[Name removed]

96. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[unapatriciated]

111. nailed it.

I was wondering how long before someone would point that out.
We don't have to run for office to be involved and yes criticize when we feel our government is making poor decisions.
In fact that is exactly what we are supposed to do in a working democracy.

[Bluenorthwest]

114. Well said

Kurt. Loved him.

[donco6]

136. Ugh. No kidding.

But then, look who dragged it out.

[ClassWarrior]

75. Wow, how many cowards unrecommended this legitimate call to action?

NGU.

[ClassWarrior]

77. WHO is against encouraging more progressives to run for office?? WHO?

NGU.

[Raineyb]

86. I don't consider this a legitimate call to action.

I agree with a poster above that it's a STFU post and gladly unreced it.

[ClassWarrior]

92. The poster's motives may not be legitimate, but I'm not a mind reader. And that doesn't make...

...the call any less legitimate.

NGU.

[Forkboy]

97. LOL...if you think this is a call to action you're seriously kidding yourself.

[ohiodemocratic]

115. The intention was to let us know that we're not smart

The positive traits mentioned were a way to say we do not have those positive traits.

[ClassWarrior]

140. And you're intent is to confirm that?

:shrug:

NGU.

[Raineyb]

128. You don't have to be a mind reader to determine if the motives are illegitimate

The history of the poster's OPs is enough of a pattern to extrapolate.

[spoony]

137. That was a "legitimate call to action" like "eat shit and die"

is "legitimate nutritional advice."

[slackmaster]

76. I'm too lazy and have too much self-respect

And I hate DC.

[LLStarks]

79. I'd have to go through at least 3 different positio at the local level before even being considered.

[DFW]

80. I'd be tempted, but:

I've spent most of the last 30 years overseas, am married to someone who is not an American citizen,
and has no desire to be one, and am probably too old to learn a new profession.

Oh, yeah, one other thing: I'm from a district in Texas that Tom DeLay gerrymandered so as to elect the
despicable Pete Sessions.

I'd have about as much chance of winning a seat in Congress there as Sarah Palin has of graduating summa
cum laude from Harvard Law School.

[tabbycat31]

81. I could not win an election

at least not right now--- I currently drive a car that has NY plates and I live in NJ--- if I ran for any sort of office that alone would kill me (note-- the car is not in my name, and my dad is convinced it won't pass inspection in NJ). Besides I like my member of Congress (at the state level it's another story and I'd love to knock any of those bums out).

[trayfoot]

83. The MONEY required to win a seat in Congress!

[polichick]

84. "I don't love Congress."

Can't go wrong here quoting a conservadem that almost got to be veep, right?

[Hard_Work]

87. Checkered past.

I have not always been the upstanding citizen I am now. Couple of skeletons renting out the closet...

[HughMoran]

88. Lots of excuses

[Forkboy]

99. Are you in Congress? Why not?

[freddie mertz]

89. After you. nt.

[Raine1967]

90. Because I know damn well the skeletons in my closet.

No way the DNC would let me run, and even if they did, the GOP would swift-boat me in a heartbeat.

I have more to offer as an activist., simply because of the political climate.

[Vinca]

91. I have a fear of public speaking.

If I knew I was being shown on CSPAN I'd break out in hives and pee my pants. It wouldn't be pretty. Amusing, yes.

[Ganja Ninja]

93. Nobody's offered me the bribe money yet.

But I'm open for business.

[Blue_Tires]

94. i'm not a billionaire

and i'm not getting in bed with a corporate lobby to raise money

and when my rednecked opponent calls me a "socialist" I'll say "Yeah?? AND??"

[Name removed]

98. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Mz Pip]

100. Too many skeletons

in my closet. ;-)

Besides I have a terrible fear of speaking in public. :scared: I am kind of lacking in the "have a spine" category.

Mz Pip

[racaulk]

101. I'm a gay liberal atheist who lives in Georgia.

Because of this alone, realistically, my chances of getting elected to Federal office in this state are squat. I also work full-time and I'm pursuing my graduate degree, so it would be quite impossible to find the time to run a campaign for office that has any hope of being successful. Besides, I'm quite happy with my Congressman (John Lewis, GA-5) and have no desire to see him retire from office.

None of this will stop me from expressing my opinion on current events on a political message board, though. :hi:

[unapatriciated]

112. I'd vote for you

:hi: from another liberal, atheist, gay rights supporter in Georgia.

[racaulk]

126. Ha!

Thanks, and I would gladly vote for you too! It really is a shame that the right-wing fundie types outnumber us here, isn't it? :hi:

[unapatriciated]

132. we moved here from Ca and it was quite a cultural shock.

At least you are in Atlanta, out here in Marietta I'm really outnumbered.

[Uzybone]

103. excuses excuses

the answer is that most are too lazy to actually take action, it is much easier to complain and harangue those who are actually trying to do something.

[Forkboy]

104. And which excuse is yours?

[Uzybone]

105. None. I don't claim to know how to get all things done

unlike many blowhards on this board.

[Forkboy]

107. You've never complained here?

[Milo_Bloom]

106. MONEY!

[quaker bill]

109. Alan Grayson

is my congressman.

[LWolf]

110. I'm called to serve in my classroom. nt

[Bluenorthwest]

113. As a talented and skilled person

I had far better options than politics, and that crap pay. My current Rep, DeFazio is excellent. My former, Maxine Waters, a heroine of mine. I have no wish to replace them. Senate is too long a contract for low return. Yuck.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

116. I have to wait 2 more years

[JackBeck]

118. If you were to frame this as getting involved on a more local and grassroots level I might bite.

Although, I'd love to hear from those who are the most vocal detractors from Obama's approach to see what they have done while working with their local Progressive/Liberal/Democratic Party leadership over the last year since the Presidential election.

There seems to be a lot of outrage around here. But have posters taken this outrage and made change within their own communities?

I'd love to hear details of the tools and techniques used so that others can integrate them into their own local progressive movement

And if there are barriers, how can we help to overcome those temporary blocks to facilitate a more progressive agenda?

[Codeine]

119. I'm an atheist, I was a Communist years ago,

I have lots of sex with many different people quite shamelessly, I'm vegan, and I curse like a sailor at the best of times.

[depakid]

120. Impressive that this threads gone on so long- rather begs the question:

Since the author so obviously and on the record will cater to any set of attitudes, beliefs and values that are reflected in the talking points of the day- why doesn't she?

After all- she mirrors quite accurately the sorts of politicians who ran for office themselves in the late 20th Century and in the 'naughts.

I mean really- think about it.

Who better to run for office than someone who rolls with the tide and without shame, posits anything for approval?

[rockymountaindem]

121. I'm not old enough

[jeanpalmer]

122. He can't get the job done

so now it's up to us to run for office and do what he's supposed to be doing. LOL.

[asdjrocky]

127. I play poker so I'm a pretty good liar.

But c'mon, these guys are world class. No way I could compete.

[BreweryYardRat]

129. I don't meet the minimum age requirement and I couldn't get elected in this state anyway.

Must...escape...Florida.

[jonestonesusa]

130. Interesting thread - it deserves a kick

and judging from these responses, the entire left of DU needs a kick in the pants. STFU OP or not, we don't show well here, folks.

If the left stays in such small numbers as candidates or elected officials, how will left views ever get traction? I guess we'll leave the electioneering up to DINOs and the Tea Party, eh?

Someone very close to me is running for local office now, and I hope to step up my participation, and I am definitely considering running for an office in the future. Although my DU posts may be coming back to bite me!

[Zavulon]

131. The Democrats probably wouldn't have me, and I'd never run as a Republican.

I'm vehemently pro-gun and although I'm a liberal on social issues, I'm more conservative fiscally than most DUers. I wouldn't vote for mandatory purchase of insurance without a public option.

Even if I wanted to run as an independent, Democrats wouldn't support me and Republicans would bust their asses to defeat me, as I am all for gay marriage, legal abortion and keeping religion out of schools.

[stevenleser]

134. Pro Gun Democrats typically have an easier time getting elected.

No NRA money for the other side.

[Zavulon]

149. I never thought of that...

...thanks :)

[Generic Brad]

133. No one would vote for me

I would provide a hey day for the opposition. A non-religious person who outsourced his marriage and doesn't speak to his mother?

[donco6]

135. I elected my representative to do all those things.

And I have a real job.

[TCJ70]

138. Lack of funds...

...I think that's really the only good excuse anyone has. I wouldn't be able to afford advertising and forget about corporate money...they wouldn't want to donate to me. haha

[DavidDvorkin]

139. I'm an atheist, I'm short, and I'm bald

Why bother?

Oh, and if I won, I'd have to spend long periods in Washington. In summer!

[treestar]

141. Too late to recommend

:kick:

All of the excuses on the thread presume stupidity of the voters or untried theories about not being electable.

If the voters are stupid, then they elected who they want, and those representatives will do what the voters want, so I would expect no more rages at the representatives for what they cannot do on a progressive platform. Of course they will represent the people who voted for them, not just a segment of them. If they did what was "best" for the voters, it would be condescending and paternalistic.

[Blue_In_AK]

145. I have a past.

It was a fun past, but still might cause me some issues if I were to run for public office.

[ProSense]

147. .

:rofl:

[tomm2thumbs]

150. I have pictures - you are right.

I won't post them until you run. That's how it works. :)

[Cha]

146. Kick Ass.

[raccoon]

148. You need an alligator hide to be in politics. I don't have one, nor the money. nt

[jillan]

151. Prosense - YOU would be excellent in congress - why don't you do it?

You are very good at getting your point across, and fight for what you believe.

[totodeinhere]

152. Because the system is set up so that someone like me wouldn't stand a chance. n/t

[ElboRuum]

153. Two things...

1. An enormous amount of self-respect, so much so that referring to those retreads as "colleagues" would cause me to vomit in my mouth a few times a day.

2. The sad knowledge that this is the new aristocracy. Very few get elected on their merits, more about name recognition and having monied backers. That's not saying it can't be done, but outcomes tend to favor the famous and the wealthy.

[11 Bravo]

154. I acted in a porno film in college.

[imnKOgnito]

155. Because...

I have details in my past that would only be overlooked if I were a Republican. Running as a progressive or a democrat, my past would be ruthlessly blown out of proportion until I wouldn't even be able to ever again find work in the private sector, much less the public one. And, in comparision to many that are elected on the other side of the spectrum, that past is pretty mild.

[YvonneCa]

156. I'd do it. Anyone want to back me against...

...Mary Bono? :7

[tallahasseedem]

157. My skeletons would be roaring...

out of the closet, LOL! I have to be a keyboard commando for my family's sake! ;)

[here_is_to_hope]

158. No way dude, I would miss too much good surf. eom

[begin_within]

159. No corporation has bought me yet.