We the People II

“There are a few that take advantage of the system to make themselves look good at the expense of the city because they know the system will protect them,” explains Bruce Rider, 42, of Plainview, Texas. He’s running for town mayor, promising that he will not campaign for the position and, if elected, he promises he will refuse to take office. By running against the otherwise-unopposed incumbent, Rider is costing the town an extra $8,400 in election costs. If he wins and refuses to take office, the town will have to hold an even more expensive special election to replace him. “I’m giving the average citizen a forum,” he claims. “Sometimes the only battles worth fighting are the ones you can’t win.” (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal) ...“Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.” —H.L. Mencken (1880–1956), U.S. journalist.