One of the problems with doing something kinda witty is that stupid people won’t get it. That isn’t a problem from the perspective of their getting the point, but it can be troubling if the stupid people have the power to arrest and prosecute you.
And so it happened to 19 year old University of Minnesota student, Max P. Sanders. From this CNN report, via Turley, after putting his vote up for auction on eBay, with a minimum bid of $10, Sanders was arrested and charged “with one count of bribery, treating and soliciting under an 1893 state law that makes it a crime to offer to buy or sell a vote” in Hennepin County District Court. It was a witty little protest, except to the Hennepin County Attorney.
“We take it very seriously. Fundamentally, we believe it is wrong to sell your vote,” said John Aiken, a spokesman for the office. “There are people that have died for this country for our right to vote, and to take something that lightly, to say, ‘I can be bought.’
“It’s a real shame,” he said. “I can imagine the conversations being held in American Legion Clubs and VFWs about whether this is a joke or not.”
Really? I can imagine those old geezers, who watched as their friends gave their lives for this country, wondering aloud whether the Hennepin County Attorney is a moron. People who fought and died in wars did so for serious reasons. And they could tell the difference between a joke and a crime.
The charge carries up to five years’ imprisonment and a $10,000 fine.
Do they take paypal?
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Absolutely correct… Talk about extreme, GEZZZZ, could have been handled differently if at all. I to take the defense of this Great Nation extremely seriously and applaud all that stand for her.
Now with that said, with all that is going on mortgage fraud, jobless skyrocketing, gas costs, oh well, as I have said many times over it truly is the “stupid” ones you have to worry about…
Let me ask the question, does this fall under the same guidelines as selling the Brooklyn Bridge? ROFLOL
Even stupider, if you ask me.
This attempt to sell his vote shows how little regard young people have for democracy and the right to vote. Perhaps if they lived in a country where citizens don’t have the right to vote, they might have a clue … Maybe. These bloggers are quick with their trite little quips, while having no understanding of the blood, sweat and tears it took to achieve and maintain free and incorrupt elections. What a bunch of stupid, naive children. I say lock them up and make an example of them!
Had there been any potential that this was serious, then you would be right. But it had no such potential, and it was clear from his auction content, as well as the fact that it was done in an eBay auction, as public as there gets.
It’s important to distinguish real from protest, particularly something like this which may well constitute protected free speech as a protest. While trumpeting the great glory of the right to vote, don’t forget the great glory of the United States Constitution’s right to express one’s disdain for the way the process has been undermined.
SHG …
This is not just an issue of free speech, as you are trying to make it out to be. Free speech carries with it a degree of responsibility. Being an American living in a free society carries with it a degree of responsibility. You say that this boy’s action was simply an act of protest, but I say you young people take for granted the rights and privileges that others have had to greatly sacrifice to provide you with. You kids act like this is all a big game. If you want to change aspects of our system that’s ok, but do it in a responsible way, without throwing out the baby with the dirty bath water. Had there been any potential that was serious, you say. The fact that he offered his vote for sale, and that people like you defend it, is already serious. Move to a country where your rights are really in jeopardy, and see how serious it is! You malcontents, who are always complaining from the sidelines are getting hard to take. What constructive contributions have you made to our country, besides criticism?
You hear that Scotty? You kids need to start respecting your elders! And stop playing that damned music so loud!
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
An interesting observation. Assumptive people are assumptive in all regards. I’ve no doubt that Gina is well meaning, but just as her anger is misdirected based upon some assumption, since she can’t seem to connect the notion that he wasn’t actually selling his vote to her simplistic conclusion that anyone selling a vote should get locked away, she similarly assumes that she has a clue about someone she knows nothing about.
Gina has provided us with much to think about, though none of it what she intended.
SHG … Thank you for your condescending reply.
I’ve noticed that some bloggers justify what this kid did, due to the fact that some politicians and lobbyists sell their votes. Well, that’s just great! They point out the worst, most broken aspects of our system, with great disdain … then they defend others who attempt to do the same thing!
Exactly. Some people point out what’s broken and try to fix it. Others wrap themselves in the flag and denial.
I read somewhere that every satirical or ironic writing can be seen a shared joke between the writer and the reader at the expense of a hypothetical thick third party who would take the writing literally.
Unfortunately, all too frequently the thick third party is not hypothetical.
Hey Windy,
I guess we just can’t eat gold fish any more (too much mercury), stop that stuffing yourself in the phone booth, (you may suffocate), no more spin the bottle (might catch a social disease)…
I love “SHG’s” comments…. How about that screaming liberal (GRIN)Gina, “lock me all up, those pinko, Hippies, free loving weirdo’s…
GEZZZZ… SHG / Gina and alike, try not to be so arrogant. You definitely did not read my blog nor there is a lack of comprehension skills here.
Stated clearly I applaud all that stand for this Great Nation.
I also aspire towards a simple rule in logic, it pertains to common sense.
This was a simple prank that is getting too much attention. Any Judge that even would hear this, gezzzzz, no wonder we are in trouble financially.
I would think he / she would throw the thing out as they have many other truly serious situations to deal with.
Hey about this, ff it makes you feel any better you wanna bee “McCarthy Black List Wonderments” make that “spoiled little brat” voluntarily send in $10.00 to a benefited charity…
Hummmmm, I know, how about the group that deals with ANGER MANAGEMENT, you tow cold even save astamp and hand deliver it!!! YHPEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!
Windy, no you stop playing that noise “Elvis The Pelvis” young man…
CORRECTION CORRECTION CORRECTION!!!
SORRY “SHG”, I made a typo and I am truly sorry, did not mean to include you in my simple attempt towards humor…
No sweat. I’ve been called far worse by people who meant it.
THE PROBLEM WITH DOING SOMETHING STUPID, IS THAT SMART PEOPLE DON’T APPRECIATE IT … NOR DO THEY APPRECIATE THE STUPID PEOPLE WHO CONDON AND EXCUSE STUPID THINGS, AND THE STUPID PEOPLE WHO DO STUPID THINGS !!!
Well Gina, I can’t speak for everyone here, but I forgive you. And there’s no need to scream. I pay very close attention to everything you say. I may not always understand it, but it doesn’t become more comprehensible by screaming.
It would have been better for everyone if the prosecutor’s office simply gave this guy a warning instead of actually charging him. It’s a waste of everyone’s time and resources, as well as potentially ruining this guy’s life. People can’t get most of the jobs out there these days with a felony record on file.
I’m appalled at the actions of Max Sanders how dare him try and sell his vote in the great Democracy of the US. Everyone knows you have to at least be elected or appointed to a political office in the US before it’s no longer a crime to sell a vote on something.