Why do some many people have $3,500.00...

[skypilot]

...to throw away as a filing fee (or whatever it's called) to run for governor of California? I'm watching the news last night and they're doing a little report on the general "circus" atmosphere of the whole thing and there's this guy that looks like a grad student or something and he's counting out $3,500.00 in cash as to pay this fee as if it's a big joke. How many people have filed to run? Isn't it close to 200? How bad are things out there really if people are coming out of the woodworks to throw their money away? And that's just for this fee. How much more money are some of these jokers going to spend on buttons, posters, t-shirts, etc?

[sexybomber]

1. well just think...

$3500 x 200 candidates... California's already made almost a million dollars. Perhaps they're encouraging people to run for Governor because that's the best way they can think of to solve the fiscal crisis...

</kidding>

[bearfartinthewoods]

8. they made a million but this recal is going to cost 60 million

so if we could have founf another 1000 people to run, they'd make a profit. </sarcasm>

[Brian Sweat]

13. No, they would need about 20,000.

20,000 x $3500 = $70,000,000

[htuttle]

2. For every person who has $3,500 to waste

There are probably 1,500 who don't.

THAT is how stratified our nation has become.

[skypilot]

3. stratified

Yeah, but it's like that all over. What the hell is going on in California (which isn't a cheap place live the last time I checked)that they are raiding their bank accounts for something that most of them have to know is frivolous. Have these people been paying attention for the last three years? Just because they have it to throw around now doesn't mean they will have it in the near future. I know I'm probably thinking too sensibly about something that these people aren't thinking sensibly about at all. I just can't get my mind around it. Are people in California really as "nutty" as people say they are? Is it really LaLa land out there?

[skypilot]

4. And not only is it frivolous...

...but these people are PAYING to cheapen the democratic and political process.

[bearfartinthewoods]

11. that's the truth.....

everytime Italy runs an election, they have a local porn star who runs. gee...we finally caught up to european culture </sarcasm>again.

[htuttle]

5. Considering the way our government keeps books...

...I suppose people are just taking a cue from them.

Debt is good, right? (wrong).

[shimmergal]

9. No, they're just reaching for their 15 minutes of fame.

"Ran for candidate for governor of California" might look really good on a resume, too. At least for an ordinary person.

[sangha]

6. A: The Clinton economy

and these people don't mind spending the $3500 because they know that in the Bush* economy, their money won't be worth jack-shit for much longer.

[Warren Stuart]

7. Yeah but consider the publicity

Ya think Gary Coleman's fortunes might improve?

Plus for $3,500 they can all claim to have been
candidates.

[skypilot]

10. Unfortunately...

...they just might. "Hey look, it's Gary Coleman. He helped trivialize the democratic process in California. What else is he doing these days?"
The very idea that this farce might give a shot in the arm to the career of some has-been is in itself sickening. And there are alot of has-beens out there. Oh God!

[bearfartinthewoods]

12. i'm already writing the script for "Governor Gary"

a half hour sitcom about the trials and tributations of a little guy who has to govern a big state.

[skypilot]

14. Maybe I should run.

If it becomes much more of a circus out there, I could be governor by the time they realized that my $3,500.00 check had bounced.

[David__77]

15. Some stores are running "candidates."

The "99 cent only" store, which I shop at, is running a 100 year old woman. They're giving out coupons in her honor, no less! The "Cigarettes Cheaper" store has a "smokers' candidate" as well. Stores may pay for a candidate's filing fees and sponsor them, so to speak.

My friend at the state Elections Division even says their published candidate statement can promote the business! Weirdo stuff, huh?