This is both Villages and political

[Talk Host]

Candidates handing out literature at the postal stations. Whatdaya think? I thought it was not legal for candidates to campaign on government property. Are the postal stations USPS or private? None-the-less what do you think?

[Village Kid 2]

Well, you don't want them campaigning in the neighborhoods, you don't want them campaigning on government property, Democratic candidates are not allowed to campaign in the Villages........

Where would you have them campaign?

I am at a loss as to why you want to avoid candidates????? :dontknow:

[redwitch]

I'm with you VK -- it is hard to make an informed decision on local politicians when the information is never put forth. Personally, I have no objections to politicians going door-to-door, passing out literature at post offices or anywhere else for that matter. The more I know, the better chance I have to make an intelligent decision. The more a politician is public and available, the better chance I have of learning something about this person and the better chance I have to make a correct decision. So, I say bring 'em on!

[beady]

I agree with RW and VK. I need an " up close and personal" situation with politicians. I need to meet and assess people. Newspaper and flyers tell me nothing.
However, I would prefer they meet and greet at a public place where I can choose whether or not to speak with them. I do not agree with the door to door option.

[jerseygirl008]

I agree with Beady, campaign away in public places but don't come to my door. Let me know where you will be and I can come meet you at that public venue.

[SteveFromNY]

I don't care where they campaign. If I want to hear what they're saying I'll listen, if not I'll politely nod and walk on, or maybe ignore them altogether. They can knock on my door, and I can choose to answer (or not).
I'm personally more upset by unwanted web site pop-ups and invasive software than politicians stumping for my vote.

[samhass]

I do not want politicos coming to my door. It seems that almost without exception, if their lips are moving, they are lying, anyway. I like print. Give me printed material stating your platform and your "business plan". If you are elected, I can reference that to see if you blew sunshine all over me. I am so cynical about politicians these days. It seems self glory and monetary enrichment is being sought rather than an honest and earnest desire to aid one's city, county, state, country.

[beady]

Sam:

You got that right about blowing sunshine all over us. That's why I like to look them in the eye and see what they are really saying.

However, you make a good point about having a hard copy of their objectives. It gives you something by which to assess their "progress" and hold them accountable.

.:cus: :cus: We need term limits to minimize the monetary aspect of politics and negate the career pols. But that's a whole other thread!!!!

[cabo35]

Talk Host - I called the Oxford Post Office and asked about campaigning on U.S. Post Office property. The answer was a firm "No, it is not allowed." I asked about the post office stations in the Villages and was advised that the situation was different as The Villages owns the stations and property. Sounds like the ingredients are there for a nasty legal brew. Are you the brewmaster or just stirring the pot?

To further cloud the issue, I have clear recollections of politicians working the front of post offices especially on high traffic days like Saturday. That is probably because the sidewalks in front of the post offices were public property owned by the city.

Call me fickle but my position on having candidates come to my door is predicated on the circumstance of the moment.

If it's a nice day and I have a tee time, he/she shouldn't stand between me and my golf cart.

If I'm on "honey do" duty as in "Honey, do the front yard, pull some weeds and "do" some yard work on the front lawn." It would be my nature to offer the candidate a beer and hand him a rake as we chat politics. I would keep hinting that he almost has my vote, at least until the "honey do" list is done. I would invite hime back on "honey do" the garage day. This will insure he doesn't make a return stop.

If it's a rain out on the links or diamond and I'm bored stiff, I would invite him/her in, offer him/her a cool drink and commence a lengthy, fumbling Colombo style interrogation to determine the candidates positions. If the candidate starts looking at his watch, I would insist that he meet my wife and chat with her. My wife has some very strong political convictions and when she's on a roll, she can get a candidate to change parties before he leaves the house. When the candidate was released from custody, he/she will remember the encounter and gleefully put us on his DO NOT "recall" list.

Have a great day in The Villages.

[billethkid]

What Samhass said but double!!!!
I can get their promises sent to me from their office.
I can go on line to check their past...whether political or other.

Don't want or need them on my property...I will go to the postal stations when they aren't there.

IMHO, meeting a politician is a personal want or need. What I want and need is one with a track record for the people.....all else is baby kissing!!!!

BTK

[samhass]

So BTK, why aren't we all throwing out our incumbents? I keep saying that people will almost always keep their own guy, but ask you to get rid of yours. As a nation, we need to
clean house. So what if the new guys don't have a ton of experience. That may be a good thing in many instances. I want them to know history, geography and economics inside out.
I want them to have honor, integrity, strength and grace.
I don't care if they know about the whole good old boy network of govt. I wouldn't kick a hog in the butt for the bulk of our current politicians.

[Talk Host]

Well, you don't want them campaigning in the neighborhoods, you don't want them campaigning on government property, Democratic candidates are not allowed to campaign in the Villages........

Where would you have them campaign?

I am at a loss as to why you want to avoid candidates????? :dontknow:


Excuse me. I have posted many times in the past that I think they should be allowed to campaign door to door in the villages. Where, in my post, did I say I didn't want them to campaign. I just asked a question

[Taltarzac]

Do not mind them at the postal stations. Last time I spoke more than 20 words to a candidate at a postal station I just kept on thinking about Tweedledum and Tweedledee as there were two of them doubling teaming potential voters and I had a very hard time telling them apart. ;D

[Village Kid 2]

Excuse me. I have posted many times in the past that I think they should be allowed to campaign door to door in the villages. Where, in my post, did I say I didn't want them to campaign. I just asked a question


Jan, I apologize for the poor wording in my previous post. I did not mean you specifically but the collective "you". I should have used "people" as there were many in other posts that did not want polictical candidates at their door. And I recognize your support of the 1st Amendment when it comes to political speech. :bigthumbsup:

VK2

[chelsea24]

I think they should be able to campaign anywhere but at my front door. Had a bad experience once with someone coming to my front door and even candidates can be creepy! ;)

[Village Kid 2]

Chels, so sorry to hear you had a bad experience with someone coming to the door! Was it a political candidate? Unconscionable.

I guess my frustration with the negative feelings about campaigning door to door is that I have been on the other side of the door. I work for an elected official (for 3 more months) and have worked in the campaigns since 1990. I have passed out brochures and talked with people for years. It has been, for the most part, a great experience. When I find people truly interested in hearing about the candidate and what the candidate has done and stands for, I feel they are better informed and can make a better decision.

I understand that politics can seem slimy and disingenuous, but I also know from personal experience that there are some very public minded, good people who run for office. The bad ones are like the rotten apples in the barrel - taint the whole.

My two cents worth for the day....

[Hancle704]

I would welcome them at TV owned Mail Stops. This way I can choose to listen or, to walk away. If they want to walk the neighborhoods, that's okay too. I can listen or, refuse to give them access into my home. What I am not looking forward to is the deluge of recorded telephone calls from each candidate, their supporters, their spouses or, anyone the candidate thinks could speak for them and try to influence votes.

Just wait, the calls will start right after the Conventions and wont stop until Election Day.

[chelsea24]

I agree with Hancle. Those calls can be annoying. But one year I picked up the phone and heard "Hi, this is Robert Redford . . ." And I almost fainted dead away! 1rnfl
Of course, it was a recorded call for some candidate. But for a moment I was walking on air. http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/princessy.gif (http://www.millan.net)

[Sidney Lanier]

I would not want political candidates--or for that matter salespeople and other merchants, representatives of charitable organizations, persons doing religious field service, and so forth--coming to my door, which I consider a private place. I think of the sidewalks in front of the "post offices" within TV as public places and I would have no problem with any of these people being there to share their views with those of us who are interested. However, I know that they are literally NOT public places, and I also know from experience that TV management generally sticks to the letter of their "laws and covenants" when it suits them. As others who posted earlier mentioned, I would prefer to receive print matter from political candidates and all others to allow me to evaluate, and I could then seek further information should I so choose.

[JohnN]

I don't want political candidates knocking on my door and intruding on my time.
I also don't want them phoning me.
They are salespeople, selling themselves, and when I need to buy something, I'll look into it.

I don't care if they're at the post office or the middle of the highway, as long as it's legal (by whatever laws) and I have the personal option of moving along without being interrupted.