NationStates Jolt Archive

The two parties have failed us. Who can we turn to for a viable third party?

how many of you like the way our two main parties are heading? Big business plays way too much of a role with them. bringing their religion into their politics. doing the general mudslinging crap. and generally putting on an act for popularity points.

even if Kerry gets elected, I won't feel too much better. it seems like he is basically bush lite (the skull and bones brothers and i guess they are related somehow as well) and is only playing the say-whatever-it-takes-to-get-in-office game, which I think we generally expect to get from our fellas runnin' for office.

Why cant we turn away from that bad habit? I would think that the attrocities commited by bush would have everyone yelling louder than they are. are we all that sedated? how can we get people to get freakin involved in the electoral system? it seems its because we are a pacified society that is so ingrained in violence on tv that we have little care for the bombing of other countries and the death of thousands... as long as it isn't a family member or friend right? Is it because it wont make any difference; that our one vote doesnt count, and nobody else votes so we will never get someone we actually like in office? what is it!?!? :?


I liked Kucinich, but media a-holes run by big business who want their corrupt candidate whom they pay millions to to pass laws that make them money couldn't buy Kucinich. and the media says that the people don't want a candidate that is too liberal. they don't cover kucinich, or any third parties and would rather you didnt know anything about tem.

television makes you stupid... the dems and reps are sold out... lets go grass roots on this countries a$$ and start the "Anybody but Democrats and Republicans in 2008 Phenomenon" - and elect someone who cares more about the country, the people, the environment, keeping jobs in the US and THOUGHTFUL security methods rather than shock and awe tactics, than he does his bank account.

Here's the thing--the two major parties have been in power so long that they're entrenched, and they've rigged the game so that it is literally impossible for a viable third party to get any traction. Any third party today is basically a cult of personality--Perot in 1992 and 96, Ventura in Minnesota.

So given these circumstances, and given the public attitude that a vote for a third party is a wasted vote, what can you do?

My vote is for the takeover and reformation of one of the existing parties, and since you're spoke of your affection for Kucinich, I recommend the Democratic party.

That's where the grassroots support is strongest, after all. That's where the progressives are concentrated. And the Democrats are our natural allies anyway--they know they need a big tent, and so are at least willing to listen to us.

So what can we do? Start at the local level and at the House of Representatives where it's easier for a non-centrist to get elected. Get some movement there in the House and some good people will emerge to make the jump to the next level, much like Barack Obama is doing in Illinois.

We can take the Democratic party back and make it a standard bearer for progressive values again.

http://www.stewarts.net/zac/img/election.gif

Yes, I'm using this again. Who caers?

There is no one to turn to in that pitiful excuse for a democaracy the USA.

My advice, Emigrate. The grass really is greener here.

Edwards should have gotten the Democratic nomination, he at least said how he planned to fix things.

Kerry: "We Need to fix the Economy!!!" "We need to get out of Iraq."
Me: "Any plans on to how you're going to do this or are you just farting smoke?"
Kerry: "B"

Thanks for that Incertonia!

You make good points and I used to believe a third party had a chance until this bush fiasco. then i got on the vote for whatever democrat comes out wagon. I think you are right that voting third parties are a waste, but I am an optimist so sometimes i like to dream.

I do like the idea of reforming a party. I think that the republicans should get off their ass and do something to save their party too. they are too old dinosaurs that will eat us all if we dont do something.

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trotterstan, believe me I have thought about it and I will probably leave if Bush gets elected. But I want to fight some more for a better USA because I think that it can happen if we work at it.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtfully minded citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has" - Margaret Mead

I'd like there to be a third party option in the US--believe me I would--but what we've got is what we've got, and getting the two major parties to cede some power to a third or fourth party is wishful thinking. So we can reform from within.

And by the way--I love that Mead quote.

I'd say we do away with government. That's my view, at least. You're way too optimistic if you think a government can be used for anything but oppression. The candidates have one master: power.

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"Beside him is a beautiful androgyne called SWITCH, aiming a large gun at Neo."--Script of The Matrix (I love The Matrix, but that is still funny.)
Free your mind! (http://dwardmac.pitzer.edu/Anarchist_Archives/bright/berkman/comanarchism/whatis_toc.html)
I like big butts!
http://img63.photobucket.com/albums/v193/eddy_the_great/steatopygia.jpg

We could make a Centrist Party. But that would be unfair to the other parties.

How about the Alaynists? :roll: 8)

I agree. Both the Democrats and the Green Party are awful, so who do we turn to? The Republicans!

I agree. Both the Democrats and the Green Party are awful, so who do we turn to? The Republicans! No, vote for the Fluffy Party! Free wars, death, destruction, what else could you wish for?

(Helicopter lands, troopers of the Moderation Death Squad come out)

turn to the Administration for leadership!

(prepares to beat everyone around them)

http://www.seattleweekly.com/graphics/features/9948/policebig.jpg

in what ways would you change your party if you could reform it?

*easily overcomes the Moderation Death Squad with some classical Hindu music, they fall on the floor, holding their ears and writing in pain. MY band of Aikido peace makers strip them of their weapons and hog tie them. I call in a disposal unit and they take them off for re-education.*

If I were a Democrat I would reform the party to push ALL money out of politics and have a govt based tv and radio channel (as well as a website) where all politics were discussed and no money was needed to be raised for political ads.

Everything could be done fairly for ALL candidates

There are a couple of states that have done that--Maine pops to mind right away--and guess what happens when private and corporate money is removed from the mix? Moderates win and party affiliation is less of an issue. There's a lot more turnover as well. The two Senators from Maine are so centrist that they might as well be considered independents, except that they vote with the Republicans when it comes to leadership issues.

I'd love to see major reform--Instant Runoff Voting, public funding of campaigns, and a ban on corporate contributions (based on the idea that corporations really aren't people and therefore don't have First Amendment protections). But until that happens, I'm going to work for the party that can at least move us in that direction.

This brings to mind a thought expressed by G.K Chesterton nearly a century ago:

"It is the mark of our whole modern history that the masses are kept quiet with a fight. They are kept quiet by the fight because it is a sham-fight; thus most of us know by this time that the Party System has been popular only in the sense that a football match is popular." - A Short History of England. 156

In other words, the problem with the party system is that we're not really participants in the Democracy. Instead, we cheer our champions, wear our team jerseys, and boo and curse the other team.

There is no one to turn to in that pitiful excuse for a democaracy the USA.

My advice, Emigrate. The grass really is greener here.

Its true. But what will happen if everone with a brain leaves the country? Id bet where ever we went wouldnt be much better for very long... we have to stop our goverment, not just leave, that would be a cop out.

I'd vote for ketchup, guns, and fat. God bless America!

There is no one to turn to in that pitiful excuse for a democaracy the USA.

My advice, Emigrate. The grass really is greener here.Where's "here"?

and how do you get your grass so green?

ketchup, guns and fat? lol Now THERES a winnign party.


so noone will admit there is anything wrong with their party or what? Just to blind to see the problems? too lazy to think about it or care?

There is no one to turn to in that pitiful excuse for a democaracy the USA.

My advice, Emigrate. The grass really is greener here.Where's "here"?

New Zealand.

There is no one to turn to in that pitiful excuse for a democaracy the USA.

My advice, Emigrate. The grass really is greener here.Where's "here"?

New Zealand.

Damn Im jealous. New Zealand is definately on my list of place to go before i die, but who knows when Ill be able to make it to the other side of the world

There is no one to turn to in that pitiful excuse for a democaracy the USA.

My advice, Emigrate. The grass really is greener here.Where's "here"?

New Zealand.
Except that in today's world, everything Bush does affects you too. It's not feasible to simply run away if Bush wants to bring down the whole world with him, is it?

That's a major exageration, but it has a basis in reality.

There is no one to turn to in that pitiful excuse for a democaracy the USA.

My advice, Emigrate. The grass really is greener here.Where's "here"?

New Zealand.

Damn Im jealous. New Zealand is definately on my list of place to go before i die, but who knows when Ill be able to make it to the other side of the world

There is no one to turn to in that pitiful excuse for a democaracy the USA.

My advice, Emigrate. The grass really is greener here.Where's "here"?

New Zealand.You know, I've been seeing travel ads around the city telling people to defect to New Zealand--if Bush gets elected (or somehow refuses to leave office), I may try to take them up on it.

and I will be on your coattails