"Dead Man Wins Election" and Other Bizarre Political Tales

More than one deceased person has won election to public office, which helps to prove that there are few good choices left in the often absurd world of politics. Of course, dead people winning elections are just a small part of the recently released book Dean Man Wins Election: The Ultimate Collection of Outrageous, Weird and Unbelievable Political Tales (Sourcebooks), by Phil Mason. The author also provides anecdotes and short stories surrounding the hypocrisy, bad behavior and social gaffes of political figures.

"The (Mis)Rule of Law: Legislators" is, perhaps, the most amusing and interesting section. Representative Dan Foley's proposal to create an "Extraterrestial Culture Day" in New Mexico was approved by the legislature. While this may seem appropriate since New Mexico is the site of the famous Roswell UFO incident of 1947 and yes, it might boost tourism for those interested in alien phenomena, but are there not more important things to be considering? Perhaps even more absurd is the Texas law that allows blind people to hunt with guns (yes, they have to be accompanied by a person who is not legally blind) that was signed into law by none other than Governor Rick Perry.

I laughed while reading about proposed legislation to force criminals to give their victims 24 hours notice before they robbed/attacked/otherwise abused them. How could something so absurd ever be enforced and who would be stupid enough to comply? Our tax dollars are also being spent determining such important matters as Virginia's Official State Bat, Oklahoma's Official Cartoon Character and Alabama's Official State Quilt. The absurdity continues in another interesting chapter focusing on politicians behaving badly. Anecdotes include never ending speeches, some of which last for days, the sad state of violence inside political chambers, and the attempt by Texas legislator Tom Moore Jr. to honor Albert DeSalvo for his work to control the population, in 1971. DeSalvo, better known as the Boston Strangler, killed 13 women.

Dead Man Wins Election was originally published in Great Britain and potential readers should be aware that some of the language and acronyms may not be readily familiar. That does not distract from the enjoyment of the book, but it may take a little while to get used to some of the wording. In any event, with the political season heating up, now is an opportune time to read Dead Man Wins Election by Phil Mason.