A Choice Or A Cop-Out?

State Rep. Tom Campbell says a bill he’s sponsoring in the Washington Legislature is “not a joke.” So don’t laugh.

If the Pierce County Republican’s plan were to become law, voters would be able to reject all flesh-and-blood candidates in a legislative race in favor of “none of the above.”

Among the politically disenchanted, such a notion is likely to touch off a round of hearty “right-on” back-slapping.

But Campbell claims his plan “allows the people a more rapid method of getting good candidates” - and buying that takes a more elastic imagination than mine.

Under Campbell’s legislation, if a majority of voters selected “none of the above” rather than any of the live candidates in a given race, county commissioners would appoint someone to fill that legislative seat.

It’s hard to understand why voters who are fed up with politicians would delegate their democratic duty to … other politicians.

State Sen. Bob McCaslin, a Spokane Valley Republican, has a clearer perception. If you want decent candidates on the ballot, he says, get out and find them, encourage them, support them.

All Campbell’s approach does is create another way for citizens to abdicate their civic responsibility. It appeals to negative impulses. It’s designed to outrage but not to engage.

But if you think Campbell’s grandstand ploy has merit, let me know. And explain why.

If you think McCaslin’s approach is preferable, let me know that. And explain how to go about it.

http://get.informed@once

The issue mentioned above is a reminder that the Legislature is in session - and there will be legislative elections in the fall.

Now is a better time than later to start getting informed about legislative issues and legislators’ performance. And that chore is growing easier.

Besides the usual methods - news coverage, the phones (including a toll-free legislative hotline) and the mail - there also is the Internet. The governor and many individual legislators are accessible via the Internet as is a lot of state governmental documentation, such as the texts of legislation.

Have you used any of these methods? What was your experience? Any advice to help other voters become more informed and involved?

, DataTimes MEMO: “Bagpipes” appears Tuesdays and Thursdays. To respond, call Cityline at 458-8800, category 9881, from a Touch-Tone phone; or send a fax to 459-5098 or e-mail to dougf@spokesman.com. You also can leave Doug Floyd a message at 459-5577, extension 5466.