08-11-2015, 01:48 PM
^ I understand, user. I do. The two-party, big money-controlled system makes a lot of people feel like they're always forced to choose between the lesser of two evils, I think.
Checking those Republican boxes stings a little, doesn't it? That's a serious question, though I suspect I know you well enough after years of hanging out here together to bet that there's a real bitter aftertaste when it comes to begrudgingly sanctioning some of the domestic social policies, gun control resistance, religion-inspired repressiveness, pro-war and international superiority complex, etc....that plagues the GOP.
On the plus side, I see progress with this election. There are three candidates who are not Democrats nor Republicans in the running: Donald Trump (swings both ways, and back and forth), Bernie Sanders (Independent who dislikes the Democratic party and dislikes the Republican party more), and Rand Paul (Libertarian).
It would be great if they didn't have to squeeze under one of the two existing umbrellas just to compete, but at least they're running and they aren't completely conforming to the traditional Republican and Democratic conventional wisdom and platforms to do it.
I think if real campaign finance reform gets passed (via caps, equal governmental allotments, or something of that sort), there will quickly be at least a 4-party political system in play; five if the Tea Party breaks from the GOP. I'm crossing my fingers that happens before 2020 or 2024.
Checking those Republican boxes stings a little, doesn't it? That's a serious question, though I suspect I know you well enough after years of hanging out here together to bet that there's a real bitter aftertaste when it comes to begrudgingly sanctioning some of the domestic social policies, gun control resistance, religion-inspired repressiveness, pro-war and international superiority complex, etc....that plagues the GOP.
On the plus side, I see progress with this election. There are three candidates who are not Democrats nor Republicans in the running: Donald Trump (swings both ways, and back and forth), Bernie Sanders (Independent who dislikes the Democratic party and dislikes the Republican party more), and Rand Paul (Libertarian).
It would be great if they didn't have to squeeze under one of the two existing umbrellas just to compete, but at least they're running and they aren't completely conforming to the traditional Republican and Democratic conventional wisdom and platforms to do it.
I think if real campaign finance reform gets passed (via caps, equal governmental allotments, or something of that sort), there will quickly be at least a 4-party political system in play; five if the Tea Party breaks from the GOP. I'm crossing my fingers that happens before 2020 or 2024.