Mark is apparently the new leader of the newest political party - the Conspiracy Party. Yes, the only reason a constitution party member did not get elected was election fraud. It is well-known that the constitution party carries pretty much every election outright and it is only the sly maneuverings of the Demos and Repubs that cost them their well-earned victory.

Sadly, the true election fraud is in the fact that we have only 2 viable parties to begin with. It always ends up a 2 person race, which severely limits our possibilities of breaking out of the status quo and of actually finding the best person for the job.

Parties should be eliminated altogether. Let everyone run on their own merit, not on some predetermined platform they claim to follow just to get the most votes.

@Chad, re: eliminating all parties.

First: what happens when all my family gets together to push for me because I think they'd be great. And then they start recruiting amongst their friends and coworkers. Pretty soon, there's thousands, and eventually, millions. After I'm not a viable candidate, they get together to decide who they think will represent them as a group. They take a quick vote and decide on someone. And they all put in cash and time to help get him/her elected.

What would you call that? Would you object? At what point would you start object?

Second: have you seen how many people are running for president. I saw a list of perhaps 100 people who have declared. They run on their own merit.

Final word: don't vilify parties. Talk to the people that make up the party. The party is the people, and the people make the parties.

Joe has a point. Even if I'm the best candidate ever, money is required to get that message out. I can't be at every meeting at which election arrangements are discussed: poll locations, registration requirements/deadlines, poll watchers, etc. I need help to get out mailers, knock on doors, distribute flyers, etc.
But suppose I have an enormous number of friends who help me get elected in spite of all that. I show up at the legislature. How can I promote my legislation if a party guy is there squashing every proposal I make? I'm going to look to make more friends who think like I do, and BAM! I'm in a Party. Is that any help, Chad?