20 replies to this topic

[Fudge_Brownie]

www.americanselect.org

Check out the introduction on the main page. Interesting idea, and perhaps a solution for those who dislike both parties, and find themselves saying 'both presidential candidate choices suck'. Yes, there's more than two candidates on the ballot, that's another debate.But perhaps this site brings to the table a new take on the long standing design of the 'wheel'.

Curious to hear some discussion the issue. I won't claim to know a lot about politics, as I'm embarrassed about how little I know and wish I would devote more time to it. I'm typically a fan of the libertarian views, and voted libertarian in the last election. However, while I don't subscribe to the theory that I 'threw away my vote' by not voting R or D, I do understand the frustration that drives that flawed logic.

[ozzimark]

Going through the questions, some of the "common" poll results are surprising. Many are in favor of mostly legal abortion, while being strongly opposed to the death penalty?

[Spanky]

Fudge_Brownie, on 15 August 2011 - 02:12 PM, said:

www.americanselect.org

Check out the introduction on the main page. Interesting idea, and perhaps a solution for those who dislike both parties, and find themselves saying 'both presidential candidate choices suck'. Yes, there's more than two candidates on the ballot, that's another debate.But perhaps this site brings to the table a new take on the long standing design of the 'wheel'.

Curious to hear some discussion the issue. I won't claim to know a lot about politics, as I'm embarrassed about how little I know and wish I would devote more time to it. I'm typically a fan of the libertarian views, and voted libertarian in the last election. However, while I don't subscribe to the theory that I 'threw away my vote' by not voting R or D, I do understand the frustration that drives that flawed logic.

I was pondering something similar recently, but it was more geared at the ideology of "why do we need this level of representation, now that we have the internet?". Obviously any limited representation will be susceptible to money/power offered my foreign and special interest groups. Would it be better to just side step representation on many of the issues and actually have people vote? If we can shut down 4000 post offices because the times have changed cant we tell some of the politicians to go get a real job? On the downside most Americans are idiots and we would have to implement some sorta test to make sure they know what they are voting for .

ozzimark, on 15 August 2011 - 06:14 PM, said:

Going through the questions, some of the "common" poll results are surprising. Many are in favor of mostly legal abortion, while being strongly opposed to the death penalty?

Hippie!!

[Burn-E]

It's a hack job that's little more than a pet project for a multi-millionaire's son and will amount to little more than publicity for Peter and Elliot Ackerman.

That said it's a new approach to the same old problem - how to break through the two party system headlock.

[JCviggen]

Burn-E, on 15 August 2011 - 10:09 PM, said:

That said it's a new approach to the same old problem - how to break through the two party system headlock.

Doesn't matter really, for a 3rd party candidate to be electable he'd have to be as populist and stupid as the ones currently available from the 2 main parties. The electorate gets the candidates it deserves.

[Fudge_Brownie]

Burn-E, on 15 August 2011 - 10:09 PM, said:

It's a hack job that's little more than a pet project for a multi-millionaire's son and will amount to little more than publicity for Peter and Elliot Ackerman. That said it's a new approach to the same old problem - how to break through the two party system headlock.

Now there's the counter argument i was looking for.

But that article expects me to believe a bunch of 'equally' biased information with just as little transparency in their source citing.

So guys, if it's just another non-solution, what's the fix?

[ozzimark]

Spanky, on 15 August 2011 - 07:46 PM, said:

Hippie!!

Out of curiosity, where do you think I stand on those issues?

Ultimately, the way things are going now can't remain. There have been enough societal and technological changes that requires a substantial change to the way the government functions for a proper balance. Right now, I feel like the government is stuck in the past, and is too stubborn to find a way to become more useful to the people it serves.

What should be done to fix it? No idea. Maybe put more engineers into offices of political power

[Spanky]

ozzimark, on 16 August 2011 - 09:17 PM, said:

Out of curiosity, where do you think I stand on those issues?

Ultimately, the way things are going now can't remain. There have been enough societal and technological changes that requires a substantial change to the way the government functions for a proper balance. Right now, I feel like the government is stuck in the past, and is too stubborn to find a way to become more useful to the people it serves.

What should be done to fix it? No idea. Maybe put more engineers into offices of political power

I just always wanted to say that on here .


Written in 380 BC and a must read if you have not already>>
http://classics.mit....o/republic.html

[Pops Racer]

Incumbents shape voting and fundraising regs to keep incumbents in power Dem or Rep. All the way down to the local level.

It would take a seismic shift in powerful peoples ideology for a 3rd party to make any inroads.

Im trying to find the article about what Net worth was for some Reps and Sens before and after they got in office. I do remember, cuz shes one of my fav punching bags, Pelosi $2 million to $17 million. Plenty of Republicans are listed also.

They know its a money maker, and influence is bought, its graft and corruption in highest and refined form. No ones gonna give that up with out a huge fight. Including character assassination, deep vetting, parsing, and out of context quotes to demonize or marginalize the the Infidels.

Lawyers making laws. You have no shot, Ron Paul, sorry.

Edited by Pops Racer, 16 September 2011 - 02:57 PM.

[ARD - Lucky]

Is you is or is you ain't my constituents?

[Pops Racer]

You know me, I'm down wit A-R-D! HEEEYYY HOOOOOOOO< HEEEEEYYYY HOOOOOO.....

wave your hands in the air like you just don't care!

[swc75]

Written in 380 BC and a must read if you have not already
http://classics.mit....o/republic.html

Cliff Notes?

Edited by swc75, 02 October 2011 - 08:38 PM.

[Fudge_Brownie]

swc75, on 02 October 2011 - 08:36 PM, said:

Written in 380 BC and a must read if you have not already http://classics.mit....o/republic.html Cliff Notes?

Your link is broken. Looks like you are copying off another forum. Right click on the link and click "copy link location" or some phrase like that depending on browser.

[Hippicus Rebuildacus]

oh politics... how I don't know you.

My theory is... I pay my taxes then piss the rest of my money away. Either I can or the government can. I'm voting for myself aka I'm taking a sharpie in the voting booth & putting my name on it then hole punching it.

[Kevin.]

Personally, when I've been watching the debates everyone avoids the questions and proceeded to talk about how great and awesome they are and how everyone else sucks. The only person I can see myself voting for at this point is Paul but damn, this next election is gonna suck

[Burn-E]

swc75, on 02 October 2011 - 08:36 PM, said:

Written in 380 BC and a must read if you have not already
http://classics.mit....o/republic.html

Cliff Notes?

He's quoting Plato, "The Republic"

You cliff notes are here...

It's required reading for any Poli Sci major though how much it can impart beyond understanding underlying philosophies is questionable. Some want to claim we no longer live in a democratic repubic but lean more and more toward a democracy while others claim we're branching more toward an insider ruled oligarchy. The truth is somewhere in between.

Given the balance of power between the three branches of government it's comical that we look at the election of a President as the defining decision for what direction our country will take. The executive branch can set the agenda and the budget but only insofar as the the legislative branch enables them.

[Honeyman]

We could use a line of political voodoo dolls. I'm definitely down for the Pelosi version....
And now with super pacs, it's really going to be fucked up- but you still gotta vote your mind and conscience!
(for whoever that may be)
Living well in the face of it is your best revenge.
Nowadays, you can't trust a big league politician.
Any of 'em.

[Burn-E]

Honeyman, on 31 January 2012 - 07:58 PM, said:

We could use a line of political voodoo dolls. I'm definitely down for the Pelosi version....

Romney's campaign gave out bobble head dolls of him in 2008 to campaign contributors - no kidding. I have one sitting on my desk thanks to my Mom. It gets all kinds of funny looks and conversations.

[Mossback]

^^^^^^^^^^What is he (the doll) describing with the fingers, his shortcomings? (looks like a fail to me)

[Zappo]

Mossback, on 07 February 2012 - 12:42 AM, said:

^^^^^^^^^^What is he (the doll) describing with the fingers, his shortcomings? (looks like a fail to me)

He is pointing at everyone else and thinking, "you are poor"

Romney Root Beer can't be a good as Billy Beer.