Originally Posted by ptownrob

While voting in the primary may seem lke alogical way to get a better candidate on the opposition ballot, that system is more rigged (especially in Florida) than the general election process.

Already, the parties have "agreed" on their candidates- no primaries possible. Republicans are notorious for NOT having candidates compete with each other, while Democrats are notorious for letting the most mediocre compromise reach the top.

Even though Florida voters put in a primary amendment to allow all voters to cast ballots in a primary if the other party doesn't run a candidate, former psycho Sec. of State Katherine Harris encouraged phony paper candidates to run in districts where no Democrat would challenge. By having the Republicans post a phony candidate to vote for in a fictitious primary, Harris was able to skirt the will of the voters by certififying a valid primary candidate.

Currently, even though there are more registered Democrats in Florida than Republicans, the Republicans have gerrymandered the districts so that they "own" 3/4 of the seats. Of course, the same is the case in states dominated by Democrats. That's where the root of 96% incumbency comes from- not from the national parties.

All politics is local- and that's where the corruption starts. Changing out the national candidates may bring a feel-good emotion, but the local, feet-on-the-ground workers will never give up their advantages. They don't even recognize their corrruption or entrenchment- it's seen more as a combination of hard-work and spoils.