I Need 1,165 People Before Midnight
by Patrick Ruffini :: November 14th, 2007 5:58 pmUPDATE: Just realized there are 12 questions on the front page of 10 Questions, so the cutoff for getting asked is 1,165 net positive votes before midnight. I’m at +826 right now. The heat is on. Vote below.
The 10Questions question period is rapidly drawing to a close. Here is my question for the Presidential candidates. It’s a simple and direct one — one that forces candidates to articulate whether they’ll reduce the size of government, and if not why not. I need you at least 908 1,165 of you to vote for it on 10Questions.com before the deadline at midnight tonight.
Here’s the situation. The top 10 questions right now are stacked with you-name-it left-wing cause — net neutrality, terrorist surveillance, medical marijuana, and “is America unofficially a theocracy?” There’s a real chance that the Democratic candidates who participate will not be asked a single tough question that forces them to articulate their beliefs or address an unfamiliar issue.
Early reaction to my question is 2-to-1 positive, but as of now, I need 908 new net positive votes to make the top 10 — and likely more than that to overcome whatever negative votes that are likely to materialize in the next seven hours. I know that more than 908 1,165 people will be reading this post, so I know we can do this. It’s an audacious goal — no other question has surged this far this fast. But it’s worth the 5 seconds of your time it takes to vote to make sure the candidates are forced to articulate their views on limited government.
And Democrats are not the only ones who need to answer this. In case you haven’t noticed, Republicans haven’t done a real good job of shrinking government when they’ve been in office. It’s time to hold all the candidates accountable.
Please vote.
Tagged: 10questions 
2008 announcements hillary clinton ron paul ronpaul
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I voted it up. This is definitely a question that needs to be asked of all the candidates. I may even write a post on my own blog about it.
This is excellent.
Voted up.
Sorry Patrick, but it’s a bad question because it’s too easy for them to give a slick answer to. They’ll say that they won’t pledge to reduce the govt at all because it provides critical services, caring for the weak, the poor, the elderly…blah blah blah. Any decent politician could turn this into a home run in an instant.
I voted you and a couple of others up. I voted all the marshmallow and just plain idiotic questions down.
Everybody take note! A down vote will take pints away from a question. If enough of us try, we can shoot down that insipid “theocracy” question, thus making internet users look more intelligent.
I’ve just been browsing those questions, and I have to conclude that the wags were wrong. We get BETTER government than we deserve.
Sorry, I won’t be voting for this for the reasons outlined at my name’s link. Just as MoveOn.org did, you’re attempting to use traffic to propel a weak question to the top. With my plan, your question wouldn’t get out of the starting gate, and only the tough ones would make it to the top.
Examples of much better questions here.
(I’m assuming, of course, that the idea is to ask difficult questions rather than to just give politicians a chance to speechify.)
Your question appears to be number 10 on the list. Most of the rest are typical left-wing nonsense, but at least your question made the cut (as of the close of voting).
I think I understand the question as it relates to reducing the size of government. I’m just confused as to what “how much would you pledge” means. How much time? Effort? Money? Political capital? Or does he mean “how committed are you to reducing the size of government?” I agree that this question just leaves to much room for the weasels to weasel.
terrible question - not direct enough to get a decent response - Easily interpreted to the candidates liking. Your tactics to get the question asked should embarrassment to all republicans and the American people. It embarrasses me. If you can’t ask a decent question that can compete fairly - don’t ask one at all.
I vote for your video. I have always thought government is too big Republican or Democrat. They can never get enough. Always reaching for more of us. Never willing to give us a break. I’m sick of both parties. Republicans for being whimps when they had the opputunity to really make a difference when they had both houses. And Dem’s for always living up to their hand me more money for crap/pork mentality.
I’m going to do lots of praying before voting in 08. I pray God will allow us to have a real Godly man for president.
Too late to vote, but in a Democratic debate the obvious answer is: This is clearly a trick question. As President I would drastically increase the size of government: We need more government for THE CHILDREN! More government for education so all children can have a fair chance in a good school; more government for health-care so no child has to face the prospect of illness; more government for research so we can pay to create the cures that private enterprise cannot (due to the previous, but don’t quibble); more government for financial regulation so no American is victimized by predatory lending; more government for the environment so we can all breath easier (except that releases CO2, so try not to) about the environment our children will inherit, and, of course, more government for the government unions so all Americans can earn a living wage to support their children.
Moderator: I’m sorry, but your time is up.
Candidate: But I’m just getting started!
What a stupid question. Shouldn’t you be more concerned about the amount of fraud, abuse, and war profiteering from the illegal war in Iraq? Just how much are you willing to let be stolen for you. Just the 10.5 BILLION of missing and unaccounted for money in Iraq could fund a major portion of America’s health and educational problems. Again, that’s just the MISSING 10.5 billion. Imagine what the 10 billion monthly could do to improve the security of our homeland IN OUR OWN COUNRTY!!!!
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