That’s what’s wrong with the third party platform. They’re defeatists. They always run AGAINST something instead of running FOR something.

Would you call The Green Party a third party? If so check out their web site. There is nothing negative or defeatist there. They are running against things, like the Iraq occupation, the BushCo environmental policies etc. However, so are the Democrats. What is your take on the Green Party?

The Rand Corp. report characterizes “U.S. military intervention and occupation in the Muslim world” as “at best inadequate, at worst counter-productive, and, on the whole, infeasible.” The Pentagon asked the nonprofit research organization to review strategies to thwart insurgents.

Comment by Merlin — February 11, 2008 @ 8:39 pm

Three party systems might be even more troublesome than the two-party system. If two parties can cooperate, then the will of the people can be effectively represented. But if not, then the two more liberal parties, for instance could split their influence and their votes and the third, more conservative party could take power with a little more than a third of the constituency in support.

Viable third-party candidates in presidential elections ALWAYS hurt the party from which they spring.

Yeah, the system we have sucks — extremists wield a disproportionate amount of power, at least on the right, and the center gets dragged back-and-forth, depending on who tells the more convincing lies. But until we can achieve a system that depends on cooperation and that rewards truth and results, we’re still fu(ked.

If it were an asset we’d be rich.

Thats the $64,000 question.

We get more news from outside the country media than our own.

Absolutely! It has only been since BushCo that I feel like I’m living in a fishbowl. Or a glass house that everybody outside lines up at the fence to watch. And there is all this crappy stuff going on in the house, that I have nothing to do with, and there is no where to hide. The “outsiders” can see the truth and they know everything. I’m supposed to do something and there is nothing I can do. Very awkward indeed.

If 2009 goes like the last 2 years.
We need a new party.

I would agree. Interestingly (to me at least) I found that, based on platform and positions taken, I am totally aligned with the Green Party. Sadly, (for me) it is necessary to vote Democratic, or my vote will not only be wasted, but along with others (think Nader), could make the country worse off. I have voted Democratic since 1956.

So how do we turn the political environment around so there is a viable 3rd party that we can happily vote for? I won’t waste my vote on a protest vote as much as I might like to.

Overseas press is the only place we can get almost any news of Afghanistan. Bush doesn’t want us to know he really messed up there. US media plays along.

How sad we are all getting so cynical about truth being reported by any of the media.

I’m not sure I would call it “cynical.” It is a fact that we are not getting truthful reporting from the MSM any more. With only about 6 media conglomerates owning it all and having a very powerful and, at times, stated agenda (like faux being the megaphone for the neocon agenda) it is hard not to see the facts. Not expecting the truth from the media is reality.

I have always voted Democrat, or independent ( in local races ).
I will vote Democratic this time as well, because any other alternative right now is just vile.
If 2009 goes like the last 2 years.
We need a new party.

We will see.
I remember Watergate and Iran/Contra though, so I am really very skeptical. I have not been impressed with the110th at all.
They have caved at almost every turn.
I really hope they actually do something this time, it has gone way too far.

Watergate was awesome! I did not miss a day of it. I too am skeptical, but prefer to come down on the “hope” side. If nothing is done then, I will join your chorus of alienation, hurt, crushed desires and anger. There is some excuse now, due to the current makeup. But in 2009… None in my book.

Strange how all reports that are contradicting bush agenda even those he ordered, get held up or need rewritting before allowing the public to read.

Yeah, as I mentioned in #11, 2009 could really be something. There is so much of this garbage under the WH furniture it will take dozens of dumptsters to hold it. With no veto problem from the new WH and Democratic control of the votes, it could be like shooting fish in a barrel. (apologies to the fish.)

Comment by Merlin — February 11, 2008 @ 8:04 pm

We will see.
I remember Watergate and Iran/Contra though, so I am really very skeptical. I have not been impressed with the110th at all.
They have caved at almost every turn.
I really hope they actually do something this time, it has gone way too far.

With the new Democratic Congress and a new Democratic President, all these things (letters, subpoenas that don’t go anywhere, etc) might be the precursor (and the groundwork) for actually getting things done in 2009. What do you think?

I still cannot believe Impeachment is still “Off the Table”
They won’t even enforce their subpoenas.

Its like a nightmare you can’t wake up from.