General Discussion

trof

(54,274 posts)

16. Our so called 'two party' system, true to its name, locks out all others.

Wed Apr 10, 2013, 08:21 PM

Apr 2013

They're all funded by the same entities, for the most part.
Corporations and 'special interest groups'.
But you already knew that.

Incumbency is a now a devout religion.
If you're in for more than a term or two, you're practically guaranteed to stay in office for a lifetime.
And likely you'll name (endorse) your successor.

You have built up a 'war chest' of campaign funds.
Your opponent (if you even have one) is starting from scratch.
And begging funds from the same folks who are backing you.

Print and broadcast media LOVE your ads.
So much so that they even charge a 'special political rate'.
Much higher than for the local Walmart or Starbucks.
Check it out.

I'd love to see a parliamentary form of government here where various factions have even some small hope of representation.
Never happen.
The Two Party System Rules.

Just sign me:
Cynical Old Bastard

P.S. I vote for the dems as the lesser of two evils.
Usually.
It's almost a Hobson's Choice.

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Voting third party is irredeemably hopeless. [View all] cali Apr 2013 OP

And so long as people repeat theKed Apr 2013 #1

Exactly. 99Forever Apr 2013 #17

They keep repeating it because it is true. drm604 Apr 2013 #44

...and so long as no third party actually organizes to get candidates elected... brooklynite Apr 2013 #55

Entirely true. However... Donald Ian Rankin Apr 2013 #69

Yes! MineralMan Apr 2013 #2

well it is if that party can't achieve a majority HereSince1628 Apr 2013 #3

I dunno about you guys, but I vote for people, not parties. PeaceNikki Apr 2013 #4

To say that you vote for Democrats because they are 'better than Republicans' is kind of like saying sabrina 1 Apr 2013 #41

What happened to your much-vaunted democracy?? PDJane Apr 2013 #5

what are you talking about? cali Apr 2013 #8

You aren't living within a true democracy. You are a nascent police state. PDJane Apr 2013 #9

I live in Vermont. Do you? Sorry, but my dem politicians here, both in Congress and cali Apr 2013 #71

Hey DonCoquixote Apr 2013 #63

We are. However, if there is a spill where our favourite neo-con wants to put it, PDJane Apr 2013 #91

Je ne voulais pas de se r�jouir/ I did not mean to gloat DonCoquixote Apr 2013 #93

one of the people who gloated wasn't me; my son was supposed to have been there, in the towers. PDJane Apr 2013 #95

The "don't vote" / "vote third party" thing is probably about the most dangerous anti-Democrat meme Nye Bevan Apr 2013 #6

Agreed. and there is a lot of it happening here. PeaceNikki Apr 2013 #7

It certainly is... Bobbie Jo Apr 2013 #38

Repukes don't need to finance it. Our president is doing quite a good job pushing that idea. Katashi_itto Apr 2013 #11

Listen to yourself, "anti-Democrat", with a capital D. MadHound Apr 2013 #35

Bullshit and revisionist history as well. cali Apr 2013 #72

Well, if YOU say so, MadHound Apr 2013 #84

Post removed Post removed Apr 2013 #87

This Is The Time To Double Down...Not Run... KharmaTrain Apr 2013 #10

The agenda needs to be centered on Economic Issues and... Eleanors38 Apr 2013 #14

Totally. Except for the other guys! calimary Apr 2013 #12

the best choice is to completely change the Democratic Party... Eleanors38 Apr 2013 #13

"it took them 50 years. ... it requires a lot of grass-roots organizing" redqueen Apr 2013 #15

You should have voted for John V Lindsay-he got more votes than McG in the primaries he was in graham4anything Apr 2013 #19

Hey, I voted for Jesse in that primary!! I remember. Manifestor_of_Light Apr 2013 #67

I voted for Jesse twice, Jerry twice, Al Sharpton once, and as for 1980 graham4anything Apr 2013 #78

Our so called 'two party' system, true to its name, locks out all others. trof Apr 2013 #16

+ infinity Phlem Apr 2013 #46

I'm not sure that a parliamentary system would be any better Art_from_Ark Apr 2013 #60

we know it is not DonCoquixote Apr 2013 #64

I remember when Brian Mulroney was prime minister Art_from_Ark Apr 2013 #97

I guess when the uncut Tea dominates then some more will wake up or it all goes straight to hell TheKentuckian Apr 2013 #18

So is voting Democrat or Republican, so do what you want Demo_Chris Apr 2013 #20

+1 forestpath Apr 2013 #39

reactionary moneyed interest simply have progressives over the barrell and they know it Douglas Carpenter Apr 2013 #21

I think we need to just vote for ACTUAL DEMOCRATS and not "Third Way" DLCers ProfessionalLeftist Apr 2013 #22

Yes but the Third Way creeps will do their best to keep Actual Democrats from running dflprincess Apr 2013 #29

Vote for as many as you want...as long as they can WIN in their District. brooklynite Apr 2013 #57

There are people who vote based on personal conviction regardless of the odds LanternWaste Apr 2013 #23

What's to keep the "progressive caucus" of the Democratic Party to get their asses in gear ... Scuba Apr 2013 #24

That's why I'll always be a loyal member of the Free Soil Party. winter is coming Apr 2013 #25

Disinformation Trailrider1951 Apr 2013 #26

it's only hopeless if people refuse to vote their best interests... mike_c Apr 2013 #27

we need to remember that most of the public doesn't know about this whole "third way dem" business Douglas Carpenter Apr 2013 #28

Republicans and Democrats are two halves of the Money Party. truebluegreen Apr 2013 #30

Not anymore than being gerrymandered. mmonk Apr 2013 #31

Voting Third Way is irredeemably hopeless. nt woo me with science Apr 2013 #32

it's irredeemably HOPEless and CHANGEless frylock Apr 2013 #33

If there is a third party liberal running for congress or local and that person LeftInTX Apr 2013 #34

Thinking of voting third party? Just think of what will happen if everyone thinks that way. freedom fighter jh Apr 2013 #36

but everyone doesn't. practically no one does and our system cali Apr 2013 #74

No, everyone does not. freedom fighter jh Apr 2013 #79

it took the conditions of being on the brink of dissolution of the United States of America in order Douglas Carpenter Apr 2013 #77

I'm not sure it can work anytime soon. freedom fighter jh Apr 2013 #80

I see no prospect at this time. But then again - conditions change - If it should become plausible Douglas Carpenter Apr 2013 #83

I don't think the Republican Party was ever a 3rd Party Art_from_Ark Apr 2013 #100

Ya better donnasgirl Apr 2013 #37

Maybe not "no difference". I'd say INSUFFICIENT difference. MNBrewer Apr 2013 #40

We need to take back our party MannyGoldstein Apr 2013 #42

So it seems is voting for the dems on point Apr 2013 #43

Make the Democratic Party the liberal party. drm604 Apr 2013 #45

There is already donnasgirl Apr 2013 #48

No there is not. brooklynite Apr 2013 #58

wrong. there is NO independent party. cali Apr 2013 #75

On the Republican side of things, Ron Paul's supporters tried that. truedelphi Apr 2013 #51

People got arrested for running for local Democratic committee person? drm604 Apr 2013 #68

You were not able to logically process a simple post I made. truedelphi Apr 2013 #94

I processed it fine. drm604 Apr 2013 #96

Third parties need to start at the bottom. Comrade Grumpy Apr 2013 #47

I disagree in principle. Bonobo Apr 2013 #49

what if... Whisp Apr 2013 #50

That's what the Whigs said. Comrade Grumpy Apr 2013 #52

as you state, there is a "3rd party" jazzimov Apr 2013 #53

There is no such thing as a liberal global corporatist TheKentuckian Apr 2013 #59

Thank you. woo me with science Apr 2013 #89

Indeed. nt raouldukelives Apr 2013 #99

Please encourage all conservatives to vote third party. Loudly Apr 2013 #54

If it is someone that has not lost their brain to foxnews Rex Apr 2013 #61

Your efforts are to be commended. Loudly Apr 2013 #62

Until some group has the ability to give Rex Apr 2013 #56

It'll only be hopeless if people keep saying it's hopeless. Apophis Apr 2013 #65

This is what activism needs to change. cbrer Apr 2013 #66

servitude to your own self-destruction is also irredeemably hopeless. NuttyFluffers Apr 2013 #70

yeah, the dem party in Vermont is just so corporatist. cali Apr 2013 #76

''Voting third party is irredeemably hopeless.'' DeSwiss Apr 2013 #73

A 3rd party wont matter, they will be just as easily bought out as the other two. davidn3600 Apr 2013 #81

But why continue voting for politicians that want to cut Social Security? TransitJohn Apr 2013 #82

many think it sends "a message".. DCBob Apr 2013 #85

Vermont is not the only state with fusion voting eridani Apr 2013 #86

What in effing hell do people think that PRIMARIES are for? eridani Apr 2013 #88

And then there are primaries where national politicians Art_from_Ark Apr 2013 #98

True, but voting one party is kind of hopeless too. Autumn Apr 2013 #90

I'm all for a viable 3rd party Capt. Obvious Apr 2013 #92