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MineralMan

(151,259 posts)
Mon Dec 19, 2011, 11:52 AM Dec 2011

Politics is More than just Presidential

In fact, the Presidency is one of the least important aspects of politics. We deliberately have a weak executive in the USA. That's by design. The true power in this country lies in Congress, and in state legislatures. We waste a great deal of time in arguing about the Presidency. Instead, we would do more if we focused primarily on Congress and state legislatures if our goal is to have a progressive government both in our states and our nation.

Our congressional House members are elected, one-by-one, in our own districts. Money is far less important in these races, and local activism can change the results in congressional districts. Senators are more difficult, since they run on a statewide basis. State legislatures are even easier to influence, but are probably the least interesting to activists. They shouldn't be. That is where the power struggle begins - in state legislatures.

The President is elected by the party that gets the best turnout. If we turn out Democrats to vote for their state and national legislatures, the Presidency is a side effect of that turnout.

2012 is just days away. The time to start is now. The nominating process for legislators has already begun in some jurisdictions and will begin in earnest shortly. That is where our activism can influence the course of history. The Presidency is beyond the possibility of being influenced by individual activism. It will take care of itself if we work to nominate and elect progressive candidates in our own states and districts.

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TreasonousBastard

(43,049 posts)
1. Very true, very obvious, known to those who actually work in campaigns, and sure to be ignored by...
Mon Dec 19, 2011, 12:34 PM
Dec 2011

those who would rather whine and bloviate on internet boards.

Odin2005

(53,521 posts)
2. the executive is SUPPOSED to be weak, but it doesn't work that way in reality.
Mon Dec 19, 2011, 12:44 PM
Dec 2011

In reality the Presidency has appropriated powers for itself that would horrify most of the founders (most, because Hamilton was known for being a monarchist douchebag).

MineralMan

(151,259 posts)
6. We are seeing the result of a weak executive branch right now.
Mon Dec 19, 2011, 01:20 PM
Dec 2011

Blocked in every effort by the Congress. And so it is still a weak executive branch. Let's fix that situation in 2012 and see what happens.

NNN0LHI

(67,190 posts)
3. Last election the difference in having a Dem governor and a Scott Walker clone was 20,000 votes
Mon Dec 19, 2011, 12:47 PM
Dec 2011

I can't get that out of my mind.

Don

MineralMan

(151,259 posts)
5. Yes. That should have been easy to overcome, but
Mon Dec 19, 2011, 01:19 PM
Dec 2011

too many people were pissed off at Obama and didn't bother to vote. They screwed themselves into Scott Walker as Governor. Will he be recalled? I hope so. If he is, it may mean that many learned an important lesson.

 

Aerows

(39,961 posts)
4. Congress is 90% of our problems
Mon Dec 19, 2011, 01:05 PM
Dec 2011

We need to clear out the people who aren't interested in anything but collecting lobbyist money and campaign donations, and get people who are interested in working for the people.

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