It's been a while since I posted a totally crazy idea.
I think most of us are likely to agree that the two major political parties suck. Neither exists to actually improve anything, they just exist to perpetuate their own jobs. Election reform, tax reform, IP reform, tort reform, all these are huge things that need doing, but nobody even talks about them. We had a major blackout a few years back due to the condition of our power grid. We've had an entire major city flood because of poor maintainance and engineering. Public transportation is a joke in a lot of cities. Across the board, basic infrastructure is being neglected, and needed reforms are being ignored.
I don't know who to vote for in the next election. Unless someone catches my attention, I may not vote at all. But I know there's got to be a lot of people somewhere who care about these problems. I'd love to see a group of people who don't have political agendas, but just want to find the best solution to a problem and implement it. Is there such a group, political party or not? If not, can we start one? I don't know what effect finding such a group would have, besides making me feel better, but that's a worthy goal in my book. Posted by Da_bang80 (Member # 528) on :
Omega for President!
Posted by Omega (Member # 91) on :
Also a worthy goal.
Posted by WizArtist II (Member # 1425) on :
I believe the base problem is in our society itself. We have raised generations that are only looking out for Numero Uno. The focus of this society is on being entertained and made comfortable at the least possible expense to themselves. There is no pride in doing a good job. There is no sense of self-sacrifice for the greater good only "what's in it for me". They will accept whatever policies allow them to go through life with a full belly and no responsibility for their own actions or to the greater society in general. Politicians rant about waste in government spending, yet are unwilling to put the axe to projects benefitting their constituents. They espouse grandiose schemes of a clean environment, welfare & health care for all but neglect to detail the taxation required to accomplish these goals. Then of course, they feel it necessary to vote themselves substantial raises for their "work". There are no morals or ethics to this society. Those ethical quidelines that are still played lip-service are there to be skirted. When evil actions are brought to light, they are carefully rationalized away by technicalities or by shifting the culpability to others. In this society, nothing is ever YOUR fault, it is the negligence of others that led you to that path. And, of course, this will then require litigation to gain "just" compensation for the failure of these others.
Nothing is going to change in this world until People start taking responsibility for their own actions and begin to make those sacrifices necessary to set things to right. Nothing "good" will ever be accomplished without sweat, toil, and tears. The question is, who is willing to make these sacrifices?
Posted by Ritten (Member # 417) on :
I was thinking about that the other day, a new party, designed to overthrow the present political system in the voting booths.
It is like here in Illinois, people bitch and complain about the laws, yet they keep electing the same person, or same type of person, to office. Stupidity is making the same voting moves and getting the same voting results, while still expecting a change.
Taxes is another issue that is interesting, bitch about taxes being raised to pay fire fighters and the such, but join in with thousands of others to see that a steriod taking sports star gets millions..... Sad really.
Omega for Pres, only if he's part of the Flarite Party.
Posted by Shik (Member # 343) on :
No parties. No voting. No more system as we know it. Complete & utter cultural collapse & then we all go our own ways.
Posted by Mucus (Member # 24) on :
Out of curiosity, what IS the breakdown of people here on Flare by country (and within Canada and the US, by province and state)?
Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
quote:I don�t consider myself a true Democrat. Yet my mayoral votes notwithstanding, I am not now nor have I ever been a Republican, and could never be unless the Lincoln Chafee�Olympia Snowe�John McCain wing of the party were to take decisive control, or hell freezes over. For me, what has happened politically in New York City stays in New York City.
But the thing is, in my political ambivalence I�m not such a freak these days. Fully a third of New Yorkers who voted in the last two elections behaved as I did, voting for Kerry and Bloomberg. Nationally, more and more Americans are clearly disaffected with both big parties. In 2005, for the first time since 1997, the percentages of people telling pollsters they feel generically �very positive� toward the Democrats or Republicans fell to single digits. And antipathy is running at historical highs as well�40 percent negatives for both parties, give or take a few points�which suggests that a huge number of nominal Democrats are voting more against the Bushes and Cheneys (and Santorums and Brownbacks) than they are for the Kerrys and Gores.
I haven't actually read the article, but perhaps it might be of some interest. (Beyond the "Hey, something happens in NYC, therefore it must be totally important!" angle.)
That's part of what I'm talking about. It seems like the best argument for voting Democrat next election isn't because of what they advocate or stand for, but because they're Not Bush. I don't think people want to vote against things, I think they want to have something that they can get behind.
And just so we're clear, I'm not running for president, at least not right this second. I'm more interested in finding a set of issues that a group of people like us could agree are important, so as to form a core for discussion.
Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
I think third party fantasizing in the U.S. is just that, and is at best pointless and at worst diverts attention and energy from work that can actually achieve something.
Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :
Another problem I have with some third parties, or rather with the philosophies that undergird some third parties, is the apparent notion that unless we can get some radically new and near-perfect leadership everything is doomed. America is in rough shape today, to be sure, but think how much things would improve if we simply had some leadership with basic managerial competence. That isn't some crazy unrealizable dream, nor is it a quality that can only be found in some tiny segment of the political spectrum, though I grant that it feels that way right now.
Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :
Grown-up Omega still surprises me, y'know.
Posted by Saltah'na (Member # 33) on :
It's no surprise that I did not vote in Canada's recent federal election.
Conservatives: I did like their tax cut program, but there were some other things that I do not agree with, like the proposals to ban gay marriages and the fact that they may end up doing damage to Canada akin to what Mike Harris did for Ontario.
Liberals: I would have voted for these guys, but they have basically been mired in scandal for far too long.
NDP (Socialists): Unless the NDP turn tail and admit that the role of business is important to today's economy, they will never get my vote (One politician tried to suggest this, only to be pushed out of the party). Controlled by union goons and the whatnot, and you know my position against Unions.
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
The politicians are a problem, but they aren't the problem. Not the first one that needs solving, anyway. The problem is the media. How many people actually listen to politicians or political activists speak in person? We get all our information from what the televisions tell us. You say no-one talks about election reform, tax reform, etc., but that's untrue. Plenty of people talk about them. The media simply don't tell the rest of the public about it. They tell the public, not the things they need to know, but the things they want to hear. The things that will keep them watching.
In addition to this plain old desire for sensationalism, there's the now-long-standing absence of the Fairness Doctrine. The media have no obligation to fairly report multiple sides of a story. This leaves them open to reporting only the things that make their advertisers happy. Couple that with the fact that half of what the "news" media do these days is punditry (pundits are not journalists, and are therefore allowed to lie with impunity), and one can hardly be surprised that the general public is almost completely uninformed about everything.
You're right to say that both significant political parties are pretty much shite. I recommend reading the book Crashing the Gate for an explanation of why the Democrats, at least, are incompetent. However, major political parties get that way by becoming entrenched. And they become entrenched by looking out primarily for their own self-interest. The way to fix them is to get rid of the people who are part of that look-out-for-number-one mentality. And the way to get rid of them is by voting other people in to replace them. And, as long as people are voting for whoever the media tells them to vote for, that's not going to happen.
Posted by Lee (Member # 393) on :
Yes, Omega for President (he said, while secretly making plans to asassinate him at the climax of the next transAmerican Death Race)!
Posted by Grokca (Member # 722) on :
Pssst, the plans aren't secret anymore. Lee's brain heard saying " You typed that out loud, that's it I'm leaving." Sounds of footsteps fading away....
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
quote:Originally posted by Omega: That's part of what I'm talking about. It seems like the best argument for voting Democrat next election isn't because of what they advocate or stand for, but because they're Not Bush. I don't think people want to vote against things, I think they want to have something that they can get behind.
I agree completely (and when have I ever said that to you before?). The Demorcats (or whomever wants to seriously break away from the two party system) need to inspire voters. Attacking the very worst President in out lifetimes did not win the Democrats the election, yet, they're still so busy fucking each other over to have the soundbyte of the day that they'll likely lose to whatever fucko the Republicans stick on the ballot.
After all, the new Republican candidate already has the one thing the Democrats consider their ace card he's not Bush. And he's not Hiliary Clinton (shudder).
I think a viable third party would need to be comprised of (or at least be verbally embraced by) name-recognisable elected/formerly elected officials from both Democrats and Republicans. A McCain/Edwards ticket would seriously fly.
quote: And just so we're clear, I'm not running for president, at least not right this second. I'm more interested in finding a set of issues that a group of people like us could agree are important, so as to form a core for discussion.
Just as well- you really dont want the media asking us for our opinions on your political viewpoints. (pictures Tim in a tight fitting "Star Trek Lives" t-shirt being verbally attacked on FOX News, and all of our posts being discected by bloggers everywhere).
On the other hand, you can appoint us all to positions within your administration in exchange for our silence...I'll take over either the CDC or EPA. Your choice. Posted by Lee (Member # 393) on :
I call ATF! They have tanks.
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
Ohhh...good selection. You can have cards made up with your name, title and a byline of "Dont make me get all Ruby Ridge on your ass!".
Still, you'd have to report to the Attorney General (in theory anyhow).
Posted by WizArtist II (Member # 1425) on :
I'll be the wizard behind the curtain.
Posted by Shik (Member # 343) on :
I've already asked my friend Awesome Jen some time ago to take over the United States Department of Funk. She's a natural for it. I, on the other hand, will head the department of Hot Chicks & Bitchin' Tunes. Also, I will take the Bureau of Cultural Reeducation.
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
Re-Ned-ucation.
Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :
I don't even own a Star-Trek-related shirt. I've got a Transformers one, if that helps. (It was a gift.)
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
hmmm...I was thinking you could embarass him with a "Fanboy" (from Freakazoid!) impression.
Hmmm...y'know, I wonder how many hardcore Trek fans have any of that overt merchandising crap (collage T-Shirts, uniforms, etc.).
Posted by Neutrino 123 (Member # 1327) on :
A more centrist party would probably do quite well if it was signifigant enough to be seriously considered. However, one thing to consider is that not all centrists are 'moderate' on all issues. Someone (such as myself ) might fall roughly in the center of the political spectrum, but have rather non-moderate views on many issues, and sometimes those views may be different then both liberal and conservative positions. Thus, a centrist candidate could easily end up alienating a large number of centrists, even if they are at the same point in the political spectrum.
As for selecting politicians to vote for, there are more problems then just having nothing but bad choices. Even with bad choices, a well-informed person could simply choose then better, even if all the politicians stink on an absolute scale. A problem I had in the last major election, though, was a LACK of information about the people I was voting for. The presidential candidates usually have much information avalible, but there are a whole bunch of other people to vote for as well. I was able to find a good internet site at http://www.ontheissues.org that contains a good amount of information on most of the candidates. It also has a quiz/evaluation thing that is a useful indicator of where you fall on the political plane (it uses a 2D method for social and economic policies). It has this for all the candidates as well. I'm not affiliated with the site, so sorry if this sounds like an advertisment! Posted by Da_bang80 (Member # 528) on :
"On the other hand, you can appoint us all to positions within your administration in exchange for our silence...I'll take over either the CDC or EPA. Your choice. [Smile]"
I call dibs for "Secretary of Giant Killer Robots!"
Cuz every Empire needs giant killer robots.
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
I sooo agree- I mean, really, is a Madcat too much to ask? You could wrap each leg in razorwire to prevent yokels from climbing up...(why Battletech never figured this out is beyond me).
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