It should be called the Tea Party and it's cry should be GRIP...Get Rid of Incumbent Politicians...

Do ya think GRIP t-shirts would sell at market nite in the town squares?

Here's their logo...

good one!

Originally Posted by njbchbum

It should be called the Tea Party and it's cry should be GRIP...Get Rid of Incumbent Politicians...

Do ya think GRIP t-shirts would sell at market nite in the town squares?

3 party system? Dems win. No thanks.

Yoda

A member of the loyal opposition

Originally Posted by Yoda

3 party system? Dems win. No thanks.

Just out of curiosity, if there were a third party why would all the lost votes come from the GOP? First, I'm not sure that the Democrats have earned that kind of loyalty. But if true, it's sending a signal to the GOP to change things in ways that they wouldn't find themselves disadvantaged by a new, third party if one was formed. Stuff like establishing a platform that wasn't so regionally, ethnically, religiously, economically, or age-centric. Might be a start for "the party of NO".

I honestly do not think we need a third party. I think the deciding votes last November would have tilted to the republicans if there was no spending spree from the republican congress and if they had tightened our borders.
Poll after poll indicated that spending and security were the issues that mattered the most to conservatives. I think this big push to open the tent to more moderates is a rouse for republicans to act more like democrats. Don't forget that the word "liberal" was mocked by most citizens in the 80's.
Ok. Let the rock throwing commence.

doesn't work in other countries, why would it work here? I can see it now, a coalition of 3,4 5, parties trying to accomplish what 2 parties are unable to do now? Not likely!

Originally Posted by gnu

doesn't work in other countries, why would it work here? I can see it now, a coalition of 3,4 5, parties trying to accomplish what 2 parties are unable to do now? Not likely!

Which in many, many cases wouldn't be all that bad.

There is nothing in the Constitution limiting the number of political parties, and in the last Presidential election, there were 17 listed on many ballots.

The reality is that it will always boil down to two, because coalitions get formed to acquire the needed majority votes for passing legislation. Even within the two major parties, there's at least three sub-groups with their own agenda, often quite different than what's posted on the DNC and RNC web sites.

The trick is to fix the parties from within, and try to establish honor and honesty as the main characteristics, instead of the "we do what the party leadership says, and only that" mentality.

That being said, I think I'll join one of the parties and practice what I preach. The question is, which one? I believe:
- abortion is immoral and disrespectful to the Creator of Life
- capital punishment should not involve the killing of a person, as it too is disrespectful to the Creator of Life
- bigger government causes more problems than it ever fixes.
- the average American should be treated with respect by the government, and not just be a source of revenue for special interests.
- a secure border is mandatory for national security
- legal immigration (and the diversity it brings) has been instrumental in making (and keeping) this country great
- a strong military and intelligence structure are the pinnacles for allowing Americans to sleep at night in peace.
- we should be fully capable of helping any American truly in need (and not just lazy), and should do so always
- the states and local government are where social policy should be made, as the Founding Fathers eloquently stated in the Constitution
- separation of church and state is simply the guarantee for all to practice whatever religion (or not) they choose, and no mandatory requirement to be a member of any religion or anti-Deity group.

There's more, but that covers the high points. So, which of the two major parties is closest to my beliefs? I really will join the one which is.

Of course in Florida, you know that you are required to join one party or another. "Independent" doesn't do you much good, as there are seldom any viable Independent candidates running for anything. So, it's pretty much the donkey or the elephant here.

But I don't think joining a party gets you much. Your litmus standards are ones that lots of folks will agree with. I agree with most--but not all--of yours. I'd add fiscal restraint to the list, however.

But the bottom line is picking the candidate that offers the best chance of embracing the principles that you hold dear. The party means little in that respect. You probably won't find a candidate that embraces all of your standards, or has a record of conducting himself/herself in support of all those things. But if you actually elect someone who would embrace 80% of them, it would be a huge victory!

Originally Posted by Villages Kahuna

Of course in Florida, you know that you are required to join one party or another. "Independent" doesn't do you much good, as there are seldom any viable Independent candidates running for anything. So, it's pretty much the donkey or the elephant here.

But I don't think joining a party gets you much. Your litmus standards are ones that lots of folks will agree with. I agree with most--but not all--of yours. I'd add fiscal restraint to the list, however.

But the bottom line is picking the candidate that offers the best chance of embracing the principles that you hold dear. The party means little in that respect. You probably won't find a candidate that embraces all of your standards, or has a record of conducting himself/herself in support of all those things. But if you actually elect someone who would embrace 80% of them, it would be a huge victory!

For most of my years here, it's been as an independent, and working for whom I think is closest to my beliefs. The toughest criteria, which I didn't list, is finding candidates who are not hypocrites who pander for votes, flip-flopping according to which media is taking notes.

Still, I'm open for recruitment......

Originally Posted by SteveZ

There is nothing in the Constitution limiting the number of political parties, and in the last Presidential election, there were 17 listed on many ballots.

The reality is that it will always boil down to two, because coalitions get formed to acquire the needed majority votes for passing legislation. Even within the two major parties, there's at least three sub-groups with their own agenda, often quite different than what's posted on the DNC and RNC web sites.

The trick is to fix the parties from within, and try to establish honor and honesty as the main characteristics, instead of the "we do what the party leadership says, and only that" mentality.

That being said, I think I'll join one of the parties and practice what I preach. The question is, which one? I believe:
- abortion is immoral and disrespectful to the Creator of Life
- capital punishment should not involve the killing of a person, as it too is disrespectful to the Creator of Life
- bigger government causes more problems than it ever fixes.
- the average American should be treated with respect by the government, and not just be a source of revenue for special interests.
- a secure border is mandatory for national security
- legal immigration (and the diversity it brings) has been instrumental in making (and keeping) this country great
- a strong military and intelligence structure are the pinnacles for allowing Americans to sleep at night in peace.
- we should be fully capable of helping any American truly in need (and not just lazy), and should do so always
- the states and local government are where social policy should be made, as the Founding Fathers eloquently stated in the Constitution
- separation of church and state is simply the guarantee for all to practice whatever religion (or not) they choose, and no mandatory requirement to be a member of any religion or anti-Deity group.

There's more, but that covers the high points. So, which of the two major parties is closest to my beliefs? I really will join the one which is.

I agree with your 10 beliefs minus one...so 90%.

Community Service

One day a florist went to a barber for a haircut. After the
cut he asked about his bill and the barber replied, "I
cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service
this week." The florist was pleased and left the shop.

When the barber came to open his shop the next morning,
there was a "thank you" card and a dozen roses waiting for
him at his door.

Later, a cop came in for a haircut, and when he tried to pay
his bill, the barber again replied, "I cannot accept money
from you. I'm doing community service this week." The cop
was happy and left the shop.

The next morning when the barber arrived at the shop, there
was a "thank you" card and a dozen donuts waiting for him at
his door.

Later that day, a college professor came in for a haircut,
and when he tried to pay his bill, the barber again replied,
"I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing community service
this week." The professor was very happy and left the shop.

The next morning when the barber opened his shop, there was
a "thank you" card and a dozen different books, such as "How
to Improve Your Business" and "Becoming More Successful."

Then, a Congressman came in for a haircut, and when he tried
to pay his bill, the barber again replied, "I cannot accept
money from you. I'm doing community service this week." The
Congressman was very happy and left the shop.

The next morning when the barber came to the shop to open
up, there were a dozen Congressmen lined up waiting for a
free haircut.

And that, my friends, illustrates the fundamental difference
between the citizens of our country and the members of our
Congress.

The Democrats need to slow down. And the Republicans need to return to speaking terms with their moderates.

Language is manipulated by both parties. Orwell is working the whole room. Both sides of the aisle. But Frank Luntz with his scarespeak seems to really have it down.

A third party? A dream. Interesting to think about. But not enough money to get a third party off the ground. Our only hope is to get the attention of the elected. And the wannabe elected.

But somewhere along the line, moderation and real communication were kicked aside by power for the sake of power.

And when the Republicans refused to acknowledge Americans who have no affordable access to health care, I was ashamed of the party. I wanted someone to step up and be a part of the solution.

If you have ever known anyone trapped in the horrors of either no insurance or bad insurance at a time of serious need, I do not know how you could turn your back on the issue of finding a solution. But the power brokers of the Republican party have done just that.

I have never known our nation to be this divided. Divide and conquer. It is power for the sake of power. A game. What inning is it anyway?????

Boomer.

For the first time in my life, I am disappointed in my country.

If you think health insurance is expensive...wait till it is free.

That is about how I feel today.