third parties in American politics? What say you?

**JMS** · 03-19-2009, 05:35 PM

Originally Posted by mparker762

I used to be a Libertarian, until I realized that getting elected wasn't really a priority for them. They're really quite good at not getting elected.

**jockeys** · 03-19-2009, 05:41 PM

Originally Posted by mparker762

I used to be a Libertarian, until I realized that getting elected wasn't really a priority for them. They're really quite good at not getting elected.

They hold quite a few offices in my state, at both the state and local level. hell, sometimes there isn't a democratic candidate at all. but it most likely varies from state to state.

**mparker762** · 03-19-2009, 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by jockeys

They hold quite a few offices in my state, at both the state and local level. hell, sometimes there isn't a democratic candidate at all. but it most likely varies from state to state.

They're not perfect at it, I'll admit. But they're pretty good.

**sicboater** · 03-19-2009, 05:56 PM

I am registered as an independant. Fat lot of good that does when you during the primaries. I think the local level is the most important level on which to vote and also is the most ignored by any constituents. If people cared half as much about voting for their local government as they do about voting for the office of President, we might have a better nation right now.
As I have said, opinions are like A**holes: We all have em and they all stink.

-Rob

**gugi** · 03-20-2009, 04:09 AM

Originally Posted by honedright

I think many people get so caught up in the parties, and the popularity contests, that they forget the fundamentals of our republic. Considering the state of affairs with our public education system, I wonder just how many high school graduates, even college graduates, fully understand the Constitution?

Scott

Originally Posted by Del1r1um

I wonder how many have read it... let alone understand it...

Originally Posted by honedright

Exactly.

Rather than a third party to further razzle dazzle and divert attention, I think what we really need is a better informed citizenry that can discern the difference between elected representatives who perform their sworn due diligence to the Constitution, and those who do not.

Scott

Originally Posted by JMS

This is exactly my point!

Well, I don't think this is the duty of the educational system. In my view these things are responsibility of the family, but then it's a little less popular to place the blame on the american families. Or perhaps that's just the natural evolution of the society. It seems that the older generation always thinks the new one is almost morally reprehensible, but at the same time there are a lot of morally reprehensible things that are thankfully now a history.

I also found mparker's posts the most useful in this thread. It seems to me that people all too often idealize the past, or think they have narrowed down the main problem. A look at history with a bit less propaganda can be very telling of what is what and more importantly what things may change and by how much.

**Kanahmal** · 03-20-2009, 04:38 AM

Originally Posted by Brother Jeeter

I am pretty close to being a Libertarian. I part ways with them over drugs. I am TOTALLY opposed to the recreational use of drugs. THAT is my sticking point. Otherwise I would change my registration today.

Libertarians aren't for the recreational use of drugs, I don't think any noteworthy party is, I believe Libertarians are for a persons right to do anything to their own body that they wish to do. I personally believe a persons body is their most sacred property, and the only property the government shouldn't regulate in any way.

**highball** · 03-20-2009, 11:32 AM

The Obama deception puts a end to 2 partys very well
The Obama Deception

**jockeys** · 03-20-2009, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by Kanahmal

Libertarians aren't for the recreational use of drugs, I don't think any noteworthy party is, I believe Libertarians are for a persons right to do anything to their own body that they wish to do. I personally believe a persons body is their most sacred property, and the only property the government shouldn't regulate in any way.

Correct. Our official stance is that Prohibition (of alcohol) was a colossal waste of time and taxpayer money, and the current War on Drugs is just as bad.

**xman** · 03-20-2009, 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by JMS

I also believe that starting a new party is fraught with dangers of frauds and charlatans! I say we keep the house we have and give it a good scrubbing instead of tossing the baby out with the bath water!

Why should the established charlatans be the only ones allowed to have all the fun?

The problem with the two party state is that it becomes a virtual one party state pretty quickly. Put the red crew in to give the blue team a chance to rest and then back at it again. We've got more parties here, but the same old electoral system so it's effectively a two party state and the legislation we get from either of the traditional parties is pretty much the same one way or the next. The blue team would like to cut some more taxes and the read team would like to build some new services, but neither is prepared to jeopordise their funding by going too far. Canada tends to remain in the centre because that's where the voters are and here it's not whoever get's the most voters, but whoever get's the biggest minority gets to call all the shots.

X

**honedright** · 03-20-2009, 07:15 PM

Originally Posted by gugi

Well, I don't think this is the duty of the educational system. In my view these things are responsibility of the family, but then it's a little less popular to place the blame on the american families. Or perhaps that's just the natural evolution of the society. It seems that the older generation always thinks the new one is almost morally reprehensible, but at the same time there are a lot of morally reprehensible things that are thankfully now a history.

I also found mparker's posts the most useful in this thread. It seems to me that people all too often idealize the past, or think they have narrowed down the main problem. A look at history with a bit less propaganda can be very telling of what is what and more importantly what things may change and by how much.

I agree with you totally that the family is responsible for teaching values. But when governments take over the teaching, and instilling it's own populist values, eventually families forget what their real values were.

Another debacle of government intervention.

And as for families in the US: US births break record; 40 pct. are out-of-wedlock

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