Is the two party system another form of gang mentality?

1. 72

   rhamsonposted 14 years ago

   Sometimes it seems that with the two party systeem there is a gang or mob mentality.  Whether you are on one side of the fence or the other with party backed candidates like Sarah Palin or extreme leftist politicians like Al Franken there seems to be a blind following such as you have with the mob.  The only difference seems to be one you pay with your life and the other you pay with your political life.

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      garynewposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      America should have more viable political parties and require a candidate get over half the votes before they can enter office.

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         rhamsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         You gotta change the constitution for that to happen and the congress has control of that.

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            garynewposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            I never said it would happen, just wishful thinking.

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   Denno66posted 14 years ago

   Not sure which is which, but power is what's ruining Democracy. Party names and ideologies are just the icing on the cake.

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      rhamsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      The similarities are striking.

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         Denno66posted 14 years agoin reply to this

         That's what I mean. The founding fathers didn't plan for there being a two-party system, and a strong third party is still years off at best.

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            rhamsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Well if we had control of our own government and that if is hard to imagine,  the scenario could look a lot different.  If there were no parties to deal with we would be able to exercise referendums and issue based voting in the process.  We would have control over the tax code and have a balanced approach to government spending. Unfortunately the power is with the lobbyists and their influential money and how they don't care which party is in the White House or Congress.  A third party would only last as long as it took for them to buy within their new party.  Boy it sounds more and more like the mob doesn't it?

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      Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Government is an altruistic ideal manipulation of people.
      
      Socialism, communism, republic, democracy it's all a system of control over people, because of the belief concept that people NEED to answer to a higher authority, as with religion.
      
      Is the two party system another form of gang mentality? NO!
      
      It's those in power giving off the perception to the people that their 'best interests' are being looked out for. They know- that the public is represented by both sides and you think that they are on your side, because they are public servants and work for the public.
      
      When all the evidences points them doing a lousy job. And, shows the public that those who are in power are in control and refuse to give up their control or manipulation, which got them elected.
      
      Politicians are greedy and dishonest.
      
      Therefore, it lead one to conclude- Government is manipulation.

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   pgrundyposted 14 years ago

   It's like World Federation Wrestling about 90% of the time. Most of these people in Congress are bought and paid for no matter which party they are in. Some Congress people are sincere and hold strong political views, but most of them are crooks who will take any lobbying dollars they can lay their hands on.
   
   The trouble is, people watch cable news and turn it all into a sporting event. I don't think that's helpful or very intelligent.

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      Denno66posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      A few are getting very rich from it too.

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4. 83

   earnestshubposted 14 years ago

   The madness in American politics is visible to the rest of the world.
   A larger percentage of Australians have a grasp of American politics missing in many Americans.
   We have a 2 party system affectively with minor parties holding the balance of power in a few areas like environment.
   
   What we do not have is a crazed bunch of fundies in our political system.

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      rhamsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Well it isn't so mad if you are the one getting paid.  The whole system is not set up to be a service.  It is a money generating engine that is set up to serve those who run it.
      Just like the mob there is little that can be done as long as the money flows and the right people are in charge.
      
      I agree that Americans are too blind to see this crap because the politicians keep it spinning with their rhetoric and we are all too willing to hope on these slime bags to do the right thing. We are merely lemmings jumping off the cliff. It is a real shame that we let the slime bags misdirect on others with such dire and terrible results.

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         ledefensetechposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Don't be too sure.  There's some talk circulating around the several states to call a Constitutional Convention.  It'll be interesting to see if this idea catches on.

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            rhamsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            I hope you are right.  Watch out for the Mob...... Uh Congress to stop it from happening.

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               ledefensetechposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               They can't.  If 3/4 of the states, 34 are currently needed, call for a Convention, it has to be done.  To refuse would really open a can of worms.  To oppose a Convention would pretty much kill and legitimacy the government has.  Not to mention I think the government would, in that case, lose the support of the military.  They might not act against the government, but they certainly won't act against the citizens of the US.

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                  rhamsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  Constitutionally they can't stop it but in the real world there is too much money to be made by the politicians at the state levels to allow such a thing to take place.  This is a great racket for them and they aren't going to lose it to something that can take it away.  Even getting a referendum on the ballot seems to take far more effort than it rewards. Have you thought about the vote lately?

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                     ledefensetechposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                     Normally you'd be right, but things are spiraling so out of control lately from both sides of the aisle that more and more people are looking for ways to break the power of the national government.  One other idea that's gaining currency is nullification.  Obama inadvertently opened the door when he told his Justice Department not to prosecute medical marijuana producers in CA.  In effect, he's said that state law trumps national law in the case of medical marijuana.

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                        rhamsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                        Oh I don't know with the exception of the bunch in here most of the people I talk to are on the fence and most want to wait and see what happens.  Obama is fairly popular while the honeymoon is over.
                        
                        Really I shudder to think if some overthrow of power is in the works by congress. They don't have a good reputation for getting too much right.  I don't know if you have ever caught Lewis Blacks' comedy routine but he said that "You have the democrats on one side of the isle screaming,  we really have a s%%ty idea, And the republicans shout back.  Oh yeah, we can make it s**tier".  The best bet is to vote them out and keep on voting them out until they become fiscally responsible and govern with the voters wishes.

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                           ledefensetechposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                           You are aware that half of the population doesn't vote, right?  Those are the ones who will determine if a Convention is called and will be the ones attending it and selecting delegates. 
                           
                           Congress is already trying to make a power grab, they've been doing it for almost a century now.  It's just become more and more apparent since 2000.  Both parties are guilty.  It's not so much that both parties advance bad ideas, but that they both advance ideas that benefit their supporters at the expense of everyone else.  That everyone else seems to be getting fed up with it and are starting to stand up.
                           
                           I mean look at how bad at discussing the Progressives are getting.  Pretty much the only thing they have left are ad hominem attacks and tactics that Goebbels would know.

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                              rhamsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                              Yes I am more than aware of the statistics as to voter turn out.  That is my point.  But you will have a massive undertaking of a less than cooperative electorate to overcome the resistance that the two parties will unleash over a convention.
                              
                              The politicians have been working for more than 200 years and this is one thing they can't get around. We have the power in our hands yet we don't use it.  The two party system is weakening and more and more people who do vote are voting issues rather than party politics. 
                              
                              I am not for either party.  I left the mob rule idea long ago but I do vote and I vote out the slime every chance I get.

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   Denno66posted 14 years ago

   Capitalism found its way into the ruling body. Mob metality? You bet!

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      C.J. Wrightposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Capitalism is not the problem....corupt government is the problem. It's true in any form of democracy mob rules. It's as old as the Roman Senate.

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         Ralph Deedsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         The capitalists are the ones who are corrupting the government.

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            Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Great job at pointing out the one thing that's been overlooked.
            
            Thank You.

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               sneakorocksolidposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               No it's the socialists.

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                  Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  Incorrect- it's the capitalists that have a strangle-hold on politicians, because it's the capitalists that spend money on their campaigns and expect something in return, when they need it.

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                     Denno66posted 14 years agoin reply to this

                     I agree with Cagsil on this one.

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                     sneakorocksolidposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                     No it's the socialists that make the capitalists have to do it.

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                        Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                        Now, that's funny.
                        
                        WOW!

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                  Ralph Deedsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  Why would you say that?

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                     sneakorocksolidposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                     No reason, just trying to start trouble. I agree with you but I have an image to keep up.

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                        Ralph Deedsposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                        Ha!

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            Denno66posted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Thank you. That was the point I was trying to make.

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            C.J. Wrightposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            The government is allowing itself to be corupted. In some cases the government attempts to constrain the capitalist, which only makes things worse....All a matter of perception.
            What's interesting is that capitalist come in all flavors...Liberal, Conservitive and everything in between.  This would indicate to me that Government should keep separate from the Economy as much as possible.  Much like the separation of church and state.  Same idea applies.  The design of the US was  based on a "free" market just as it was designed on "freedom" of religion. The governments role is to regulate....tax...protect...none of those words seem synonymous with "free"

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               rhamsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Unfortunately the Government has fallen far short in its regulating and protecting the US worker as the capitalists and the politicians have gotten into bed with each other.

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6. 73

   Cagsilposted 14 years ago

   But, then again, I stated to begin with.
   
   Government is manipulation of the people.
   
   It's ancient altruistic idea.

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   Denno66posted 14 years ago

   Wow! Now I've heard it all!

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8. 60

   lostgirlscatposted 14 years ago

   Had an extremely stressful day, thought I'd relax for a minute,
   discuss some of the poitical concerns of the day, rationally. Unwind a bit.  Ya'll are killing me.

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      Denno66posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      This is how we de-stress.

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         Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         

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            Denno66posted 14 years agoin reply to this

            laughy face again!

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               Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               As you would say - Shooting into the dark...?

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                  Denno66posted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  By Jove, I think you've got it!!!!!

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                     Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                     Don't know what you mean.
                     
                     

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                        Denno66posted 14 years agoin reply to this

                        You must be a Socialist then.

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                           Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                           Actually, I don't have a political affiliation either.

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      Cagsilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      

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   Ralph Deedsposted 14 years ago

   It's official. Lou Dobbs is leaving CNN. He'll probably end up with the other pathetic loser, Glenn Beck on Faux News.

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      Leta Sposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Well...he was getting scary.  Cannot say I didn't see it coming.

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         tksenseiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Have you noticed how often you use the word "scary"?

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10. 71

    pylos26posted 14 years ago

    Nope...it's a form of gangbanging.

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11. 57

    C.J. Wrightposted 14 years ago

    the two party system is definitely devolving.  More people identify themselves as "Democrat" than "Republican". However, more people identify themselves as "Conservative" than "Liberal".
    This tells me that much of the electorate sits somewhere in the middle of the far left and right.

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       rhamsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       What is kind of ironic is that the two major parties are trying to draw the independent back with the same old party line politics that made them leave their parties in the first place.  Labeling them liberals for agreeing with a liberal issue and vice versa only strengthens the independents resolve to remain independent.  Perhaps this is the revolution the country has been looking for.  The eventual demise of relevence the party politics has and the beginning of an issue based electorate.

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          tksenseiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Political parties aren't going away. Saying "I'm an Independent!" is just trendy for some people afraid to hop off the fence and identify themselves in a way that *gasp* some might not like.

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    Will Apseposted 14 years ago

    The differences between the two parties are pretty slight. Democracy ensures smooth continuity of the present model of capitalism with a few new ideas on managing social or economic issues rising up from one group or the other. It beats palace coups but don't expect serious change.

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    Denno66posted 14 years ago

    rhamson, that take on government is the closest to the truth anyone has come up with thus far. Damn! I can't stop laughing.

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       rhamsonposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       It still makes me chuckle. You should hear the rest of his rants.  They are just as good.

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