Is it time for a third party to prevail?

[Sojourner]

The main problem with modern US politics today is that voters identify with one of the two major parties, despite clear shortcomings and failed leadership. And when politics fuses with one's identity, political disagreement feels personal, fueling further division. The irony is, frustration with the failures of the parties is misdirected and channeled into anger at voters who differ.

Both parties are too focused on their respective agendas and too combative with one another to work together toward the common goal of serving the best interest of the American people--particularly the middle class. Despite the great number of those dissatisfied with both parties, primaries quickly filter out and negate independent candidates.

Even when the public is fed up, the system continues to channel them back into the same two choices, time and time again. Perhaps one day enough voters will tire of the ineffective leadership, broken institutions and tone deaf unresponsive parties, and unite together to send Washington a message by electing a qualified independent. At least one can hope.

[RabbiKnife]

Jesus will come back before that happens

Tonight would be good

[Fenris]

The main problem with modern US politics today is that voters identify with one of the two major parties, despite clear shortcomings and failed leadership.

Try being Jewish. Rejected by prominent members of both parties. Politically homeless.

[Sojourner]

Yeah, It's probably a bridge too far. It's just exasperating to see voters stubbornly continue to put their trust in two parties that will never do right by the people. Realistically, neither Americans nor the rest of the world will be reliably governed until the Lord rules.

[Sojourner]

The main problem with modern US politics today is that voters identify with one of the two major parties, despite clear shortcomings and failed leadership.

Try being Jewish. Rejected by prominent members of both parties. Politically homeless.

I know. At least when the planet finally comes under divine rule, righteousness, peace and justice will prevail--which will bring a swift end to antisemitism.

[tango]

We definitely need a third party, even if only to avoid the situation where everything is about the lesser of two evils at any given time. With a strong third party the only way any party gets an outright majority is if they have a lot of appeal, and even a splinter can be enough to deny either party the influence to dictate.

Sadly there's probably a better chance of me being elected President than the status quo voting to change itself.

[Fenris]

I know. At least when the planet finally comes under divine rule, righteousness, peace and justice will prevail--which will bring a swift end to antisemitism.

American Jews may decide that there's no future here and depart for Israel. Which is not necessarily a bad thing, but America will be worse off for it.

[Fenris]

We definitely need a third party

I'm  small government conservative, so in principle I'd support the Libertarian party.

Unfortunately it's filled with crazy people like "Vermin Supreme", who wears a boot on his head. It also, like the two major parties, has problems with Jews.

[tango]

We definitely need a third party

I'm  small government conservative, so in principle I'd support the Libertarian party.

Unfortunately it's filled with crazy people like "Vermin Supreme", who wears a boot on his head. It also, like the two major parties, has problems with Jews.

How can a libertarian have a problem with someone peacefully practising their religion, whatever the religion?

[IMINXTC]

I also favor a multiplicity of parties at least as a sort of checks and balances against the entrenched partisan establishment. Each side, left & right, wields too much traditional power, imo.


The left, ie, invariably interprets equality, which is good, as something to spend money on etc... Entrenched, costly programs, that seem to never go away.


I personally will not hold to any party or political ideal, but look to support candidates or policies of either side if they show promise, without throwing in with whatever party affiliation - an affiliation I have come to hate.


I hold to the Constitution, which never compels me to choose left or right as ideals, very often paraded as emblems  of true "patriotism."


Cows come and go but the bull goes on forever.

[Sojourner]

As I alluded to earlier, both parties have been appropriated by extremists with opposing agendas, and both are filled with people who hold to an "us vs them" mentality, and use their office to enrich themselves. The same corrupt people are elected time and again, and become entrenched and powerful. Strict term limits are badly needed, but those who would have to pass necessary legislation are not about to shoot themselves in the foot.

While a vanishing species, I believe there are still a few idealistic folks here and there who value the Constitution and believe public service should transcend political affiliation and serve the best interests of all Americans. Unfortunately, the dynamics of politics is like a strong river current, in which you either go with the flow or get out.

[Fenris]

How can a libertarian have a problem with someone peacefully practising their religion, whatever the religion?

They claim to not have a problem with Jews, they're just showing their commitment to free speech. By posting slurs and tropes about Jews.

[Sojourner]

How can a libertarian have a problem with someone peacefully practising their religion, whatever the religion?

They claim to not have a problem with Jews, they're just showing their commitment to free speech. By posting slurs and tropes about Jews.

I've never understood antisemitism. Despite making up an infinitesimal segment of the population, Jews are among the most gifted and influential people on earth, having been awarded a disproportionate number of Nobel prizes. Given their many contributions, the world is a better place because of Jews, and most people who hate them cannot offer a valid reason--other than their being Jewish. It's really incomprehensible.

[Fenris]

I've never understood antisemitism.

The more one reads about it, the more incomprehensible it becomes. I have previously posted theological explanations for it, which I believe to be true. Then recently I came across Sartre's completely secular rationale for it which also makes sense. In his words, people think that "all or part of his own misfortunes and those of his country to the presence of Jewish elements in the community, ... proposes to remedy this state of affairs by depriving the Jews of certain of their rights, by keeping them out of certain economic and social activities, by expelling them from the country, by exterminating all of them ...."

He tells a story about how a classmate of his failed an exam while a Jewish student passed. The classmate said this was impossible, there was no way that a Jew could understand French poetry better than himself, a native Frenchman. This even though he admitted that he had not studied for the exam.

It's basically people giving up responsibility for their own failures by blaming the Jew.

It is, unfortunately, becoming politically mainstream in this country.

[Sojourner]

Sadly, Jews being the despised scapegoat is a reality, both historically and in the present. But, one day....