Comments on: Wingnuts

By: Deb in Carson

Deb in Carson — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 06:52:39 +0000

Why Trolls post in caps; leaves one hand free to jerk off.

By: Allen

Allen — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:13:11 +0000

K — That’s all true. I think at least that parliamentary systems allow for the possibility of meaningful coalition governments, which don’t happen under our system. The only times that third parties have really wielded any power in our system have been times when one of the major two was collapsing — e.g. the beginning of our civil war.

By: K

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:51:56 +0000

He says “He’s the most liberal person in the Senate” like that’s a bad thing!
(OK, I really shouldn’t joke about this.)

I have to say I don’t really see the British parliamentary system as anything but a winner-takes-all approach, either. Which has been essentially two-party for a long time. It bothers me that it is inconceivable that the party for which I vote will attain a majority, but I just can’t vote Labour. And I definitely can’t vote Conservative.

Of course, the Scottish devolved government is a coalition led by the Scottish National Party – so it’s clearly not a two-party system any more, or if it is, the Conservatives are no longer one of the two parties. But Westminster is still the main show.

By: stephanie

stephanie — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 03:59:05 +0000

Cabell – in my opinion they are doing both! But i think you bring up a good point. we can’t give up after the election takes place. we’ve got to keep moving on and making this a better world. maybe you would join us, instead of reaping the benefits of hard working people? or maybe you are already joined and I didn’t realize it.

By: stephanie

stephanie — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 03:57:37 +0000

Hey Reno – you make a good point! but i would argue that many people that are involved in third party politics — are involved locally in their communities and trying to get local positions. There were 3 libertarians on the ballot for local positions in missouri.

We are trying everywhere. But oh my god, wouldn’t the world be a better place if the people stood up and refused to support a two party system — and instead cast the ballot for the person that supported the best issues?

Or maybe a direct democracy would be better, instead of this republic of corporations.

By: stephanie

stephanie — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 03:50:48 +0000

Hey Allen – third party politics is responsible for a lot of change within the US. Enjoy the weekend? it’s because union workers rioted against their bosses. enjoy civil rights? that was done by the people!

By: Reno

Reno — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:32:22 +0000

I think if third parties seriously want change they will spend their time and resources at the local level. Why isn’t the Green Party in Reno working to get curbside recycling for apartments? Why aren’t they working to get green candidates onto the city council? Why do they vanish for 3.5 years and resurface only for presidential elections?

By: Cabell

Cabell — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:24:09 +0000

Daniel often remarks that if third parties seriously wanted change, they’d stop running candidates and put all their efforts and money into pushing instant run-off voting.

By: Allen

Allen — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:57:00 +0000

I have to disagree about the value of third parties. In a parliamentary system, third parties provide a valuable diversity of approaches in government. In a system such as ours that is essentially “winner-take-all”, only two parties can really be viable at a time. Third parties in our system simply weaken whichever major party is ideologically closest to their adherents.

By: stephanie

stephanie — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:48:46 +0000

It’s not surprising to see this message. People are the US are entrenched in ideologies from religion to political parties. People don’t think so much as they simply repeat and push out the ideology being supported. This happens on both sides, republican and democrat — christian and atheism. It’s hard to have a real argument where people use their personal logic to tell what they think instead of repeating what they read on the internet or listened to on NPR.

If we are going to move beyond this circus and mad state of back-and-forthing then we will need to evaluate the system and look at some alternatives. Third party candidates made a lot of sense this election by speaking independently and not subscribing to an ideology. Yet, they didn’t even get a chance to debate publicly. The debates are managed by a corporation, and they wouldn’t let third parties participate.

We have to start thinking independently instead of blindly supporting political ideologies and religions. easier said than done, but if we blindly support religion and government and let it do everything for us then we really can’t say much when disaster hits home.

Bush is not the only person responsible for the war in Iraq. Democrats voted for the war! They also supported the bailouts. The answer to the problem is not to get the Democrats to take over. It’s to get the people more involved in creating alternatives and putting pressure on the states to make change.