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Tophat665 · 03-27-2004, 07:24 AM

Seretogis has missed the point entirely. I mean, if you really want to throw away your vote to the libretarians, that is, of course, your right, but the solution to this problem is not in a third party: it's in picking a party and sticking with it, and trying to bring it to more moderate positions over time.

I have said before that the only way for a third party to gain power in the system is for it to knock off one of the existing parties, and the only way for that to happen is for one of the existing parties to become moribund (where is the Federalist convention this year? What do you think about the Whigs on the ballot?) While they wait for their chance (and, let's face it, the chance for the Libretarians will never come: Americans like laws too much, because most Americans think the law is something that other people need for good behavior) there are only two things that they can do: spoil elections and raise issues. When they do the latter, they are a vital part of the system. When they do the former, well, I don't think the Greens will go far for a very long time.

So, what this country needs is a vibrant and powerful middle. Radical moderates, if you will. Pick your party and vote in their primaries and caucuses. Pick the guy who has moderate views. Look for common sense. Olympia Snow should be much more powerful than she is, and Harvey Waxman is every bit as bad as Tom Delay.

Moderation! In all things. Especially politics.

Now, to the third party that thinks they have detected a moribund major party, bear this in mind: when you knock off the deadwood all of a sudden the other major party has a totally free hand. You must be careful when you do this and there are some very elderly Supreme Court Justices. Remember, appointment is for life, so if you come to power, you may find the bench stacked with people who's sole purpose in life is to keep you from holding that power, and it will stay that way for quite some time.

(edited for spelling & grammar)

03-27-2004, 07:24 AM	#7 (permalink)
Tophat665 Minion of the scaléd ones Location: Northeast Jesusland	Seretogis has missed the point entirely. I mean, if you really want to throw away your vote to the libretarians, that is, of course, your right, but the solution to this problem is not in a third party: it's in picking a party and sticking with it, and trying to bring it to more moderate positions over time. I have said before that the only way for a third party to gain power in the system is for it to knock off one of the existing parties, and the only way for that to happen is for one of the existing parties to become moribund (where is the Federalist convention this year? What do you think about the Whigs on the ballot?) While they wait for their chance (and, let's face it, the chance for the Libretarians will never come: Americans like laws too much, because most Americans think the law is something that other people need for good behavior) there are only two things that they can do: spoil elections and raise issues. When they do the latter, they are a vital part of the system. When they do the former, well, I don't think the Greens will go far for a very long time. So, what this country needs is a vibrant and powerful middle. Radical moderates, if you will. Pick your party and vote in their primaries and caucuses. Pick the guy who has moderate views. Look for common sense. Olympia Snow should be much more powerful than she is, and Harvey Waxman is every bit as bad as Tom Delay. Moderation! In all things. Especially politics. Now, to the third party that thinks they have detected a moribund major party, bear this in mind: when you knock off the deadwood all of a sudden the other major party has a totally free hand. You must be careful when you do this and there are some very elderly Supreme Court Justices. Remember, appointment is for life, so if you come to power, you may find the bench stacked with people who's sole purpose in life is to keep you from holding that power, and it will stay that way for quite some time. (edited for spelling & grammar) __________________ Light a man a fire, and he will be warm while it burns. Set a man on fire, and he will be warm for the rest of his life. Last edited by Tophat665; 03-27-2004 at 07:27 AM..