On August 20, the Putnam County, Tennessee, County Commission, passed a resolution, asking the county’s Democratic and Republican Parties not to hold primaries for county office in 2010. See this story. The county is trying to save money. The last primary cost the taxpayers $60,000. Tennessee holds primaries for county office in midterm years in May. The statewide primary for Congress and state office is in August in midterm years.
If there were no primary for county offices, the candidates would all qualify as independent candidates, which only requires 25 signatures, but there would be no party labels on the ballot.
Does ALL govt spending *stimulate* the economy — into hyper-inflation and destruction ???
Political parties should be treated as private organizations. They should be able to pick their nominees however they want, but to get on the ballot they have to put up the money or get the signatures just like an independent or 3rd party candidate. Oh, and no party labels.