Another entry about how I hate America.

[flyinbutrs]

Ok, in fairness, I don't hate America, I hate how our federal government has become so incredibly corrupt that it makes me wonder why we don't rise against it. Not only are we shoehorned into a two party system that is exactly what our Founding Fathers DIDN'T want, and not only is our government tainted by what is tantamount to legalized bribery, now our "debates" are essentially scripted news conferences. The agreement between the R's and the D's to make the "debates" happen is so egregiously heinous, that I had trouble holding back my gag reflex. This is not a debate. Candidates cannot rebut one another's points, or pose direct questions to one another. The people have no say about what questions are asked, and all questions are mutually agreed upon beforehand. Candidates are barred from participating in debates other than CPD sanctioned ones. The list of restrictions goes on and on and on.

I know I've said this before, and was at least half joking, but now I'm getting serious about this. We need to found a third party. Not a fringe party, not one that people will look at and think "what a bunch of nuts". A centrist party, a party for reformers, and a party that isn't a part of the greased system of simultaneous backstabbing and fingerfucking that dominates washington. I honestly don't know how prevalent the corruption is in state or local governments, but we've got to start somewhere, and the federal government is screaming for it. This is obscene. The fraud that the Democrats and Republicans are committing against the people whom they have sworn to represent is unconscionable, unethical, undemocratic, and unamerican.

Please, if you read this and agree, post comments, tell people, and talk about it. We need ideas, ways to get started, and most of all, we need to get moving. I am sad to say that I have lost all faith in our government. It's not beyond repair though. The system in place is fine. It's the people, on both sides of the aisle, that need to be changed.

10 Things you need to know about the "Debates"

Comments

[desh]

You're going to try to squeeze a centrist party in between the Dems and GOP? Will it fit?

Seriously, though, of all the problems I have with our country, and of all the problems I have with the structure of the political system, the debating system is low on my list. At least the candidates are going to say their views here. And the American public will at least have a chance to put Bush and Kerry side-by-side and then vote their conscience. I have to say, as long as I have to pick my battles, I'm not picking this one.

Ever heard the expression "The straw that broke the camel's back"

[flyinbutrs.livejournal.com]

It's not that this is my only issue, this is the latest of a long list of problems that are common to both the republican and democratic parties, and their entrenchment in the system. If there is one thing the two parties are unified on, it's a determination to rig the election process such that third party candidates are never viable. With outlandish requirements for getting funding and admission into their debates, the parties have eliminated other options.

This wouldn't be a problem if the parties were offering the public something worth voting for, or if the parties weren't so horribly corrupt. But they're not.

And while I'm at it, there is absolutely room for a third party. What a third party needs to become a real player in the game is a platform with these planks:

1) Fiscal Responsibility (I.E. small Government). Something the Republican party used to stand for, but has not really been in favor of recently, particularly since 9/11.

2) Social centrism. Basically, somewhere right of the left, but left of the right. Reform SS, MA, MC, Welfare, AA, etc.

3) Corporate reform, campaign finance reform. Here's the real kicker... if a third party formed as a grassroots party with no ties to the current washington setup, and from the start refuses soft money and any contributions over $2,000, that party would stand on a firm moral high-ground to push for reformation of corporate tax burdens, and the removal of the power of the lobbyist.

4) Actual tax relief for the people. Because of the lack of ties to corporations, this party would stand for closing the loopholes in corporate tax law. Do you realize that Halliburton as a corporation paid essentially no taxes to the US government in the past decade? And they are not alone. If loopholes in the tax laws were closed, the additional revenue should provide the means to lift some of the tax burden from the middle class.

And seriously, that's just off the top of my head... I could go on like this for a long time, but it's late and I'm tired... I haven't even touched on some of my favorite topics, like FCC reform, consumer rights, and copyright and patent reform. There is so much wrong happening in this country that sickens me. We are living in a very dangerous time, with ever evolving technology, and new ways to hide what is being done, and now more than ever, we need to be wary of what our government is doing to us, and in our name. And to vote for one candidate because he is the lesser of two evils is criminal.

I love this country, and there is nowhere else I'd rather live, but I believe we can do better.

"I love this country, and there is nowhere else I'd rather live"

[bumonyou.livejournal.com]

I am afraid, quaking in my boots really, at the thought that ole' GDubs will get voted into the White House. But anyway

Yes, there absolutely needs to be a third party, and I think John McCain should be the flagship of that party, not fuckin' Ralph fuckin' Nader. I think the founding constituency of this party should be senior citizens. Senior citizens are affected by drug coverage plans, and naturally drawn towards a system that is considerate of people in the long term (I hope). Also, they vote in large numbers, and they vote consistently*.

I do not think that the presidential election is where this party should make its debut though. I think that that sort of thinking is just symptomatic of us as Americans being blind to all but the biggest elections. If said party were to slowly creep in, mayorship by mayorship, governor by governor, house rep by house rep, and finally senators, that's the sort of start I would want for such a party.

And, because no radical ideas can start without bitter infighting, let me just say that I think "the people" are dead. There are no "people." Because everyone is "people," the term is irrelevant.


*hey, fuck you. You want a party that represents young people, you know what we have to do. And you're doing it and so am I. If we can convince all of our under 30 friends to vote, and to convince all of their under-30 friends to vote, then we have a fighting chance of being heard on issues. Fucking television. Dan, I love you because you make me feel like I am not the only crank out there. GO CRANKS!!!

i totally agree.

[below-the-belt.livejournal.com]

well, not totally. i definitely agree that what's going on now is totally and utterly whack. but i don't think the system is okay either.

i'm trying to think of what to say next, but everything that comes to mind is just to big to try to put into words. you know? i don't believe in governments, i'm anti-authoritarian, but i agree that reform would be a good start - because while we're planning the revolution, a whole lot of genocide, environmental destruction, and general anger, mistrust and hatred are happening.