Republicans

[t1tdave]

I've had some thoughts about politics lately, mainly about the Republican party, that I want to get "on paper," mainly for my own use, although (serious) counterarguments and reported flaws in my reasoning are always extremely welcome. It's long. To make it easier for everybody to avoid entry into a political discussion (always a dicey

Comments

[eracerhead]

[Let me start out by saying I am in an odd political position, in that I am more or less in the middle of the road, but I am vocal about it...I prefer to think of myself as an independent thinker who is not tied to any party's politics

[t1tdave]

We have a multi party system in the US.
We have a multi-party system in theory, sure, but as you say, they can't make serious headway against what exists in practice.

The real problem with third parties is dilution of the vote. For example If the right-wing conservative christians went away and formed their own party, then the conservative vote would be split between two conservative factions, thus opening the door for liberal candidates.
This is a problem of mechanics; if the winner had to have a majority of votes, not a plurality, perhaps with a run-off against the highest polling candidates if there is no majority, or if a pool of seats in the legislature were split by the highest polling candidates instead of being purely chosen by region, this problem could be fixed.

It has to move to the center and shrug off the radical right.
Yes, exactly. It needs to stop carrying dangerous baggage under the false impression that they make a solid base.

[theantichrist]

Yep, all you need is run off elections to allow people to vote for more parties without fear of throwing their vote away.

[warriorinside]

The way I see it, the only difference between the two major parties is what they choose to stick their noses in my business about. I fall closest to libertarianism - he governs best who governs least. (This is why Obama absolutely terrifies me - he seems to be in love with government control of everything, and I've contracted for the government long enough to see exactly where this is headed

[t1tdave]

I love libertarianism as an outlook. As a party, the Libertarians I know sometimes end up reaching conclusions (such as, the government should be barred from owning and operating parks, since a free market would manage them better) I cannot agree with.

As for a revolt or a dictatorship: I think we do need to keep our eye on what's going on, and to speak out when it goes too far, but I am comforted by history: we've wandered this far, and much farther, away from the path of personal liberty and freedom before, and we've come back. It comes and goes in phases. That doesn't mean that this time it might be worse, but it does give hope that it won't come to bloodshed.

[warriorinside]

Fair enough. I'm curious, though - when did we wander off further than having the government stage a semi-hostile takeover of private corporations?

[t1tdave]

It depends on how you measure things. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were started by the federal government, so taking them over is more like taking over the Post Office than taking over FedEx. They've bailed out (and basically controlled) railroads before, and they held strict control over the utilites when they were monopolies. The big change here is not the control over a semi-private corporation as much as it is their funding, I think.

[wbenetti]

Yeah, I agree. Simplistically put, I want the Yankees to win. But I want them to have strong competition when it happens. Solid roster construction should be the decider, not weaker competition. Baseball may not be the most apt metaphor, though.

[t1tdave]

It may be too apt for some people, because for some people, their party affiliation is more like being a fan of a team than taking active part in determining the best person to hold power.

[warriorinside]

For a lot of people. :) For example, a lot of the reason I'm rooting for the Hurricanes to beat the Pens is because I absolutely despise Sidney Crosby :)

[girlie47]

Thank you. I think you just crawled inside my head and said that better than I could if I had tried. Mind if I repost as a link?

[t1tdave]

I do not mind at all; mostly, I'm glad my thoughts make at least some sense once outside my head.

[theantichrist]

Well thought out and well articulated. :)