>> ^jwray:

If Sarah Palin gets the republican nomination, I will laugh as that party disintegrates.


Sadly,that never seems to happen with our two party system. One of the two parties is always the party of opposition. They are who the center of the electorate turns to whenever the party in power doesn't seem to be doing a good job, and the party in power never seems to be doing a good job. The repubs know this better than anyone, their entire strategy at the moment consists of two points 1. Do nothing 2. Criticize everything.

As long as we have the two party system, private election financing (bribe financing), and rampant gerrymandering, this will never change.

The only reason I voted for Obama is because I knew he wouldn't be as bad as the pasty old white guy. They're both having their strings pulled by the same people, but at least Obama is trying to resist those strings a little bit. McCain would just go charging down the same path as Bush without a second thought.

I'll tell you exactly what we need to get change in this country:

1. Multiple stage elections. The two party system is just two sides of the same coin. And yes, that coin is purchased with money. Multiple stage elections would give people the chance to vote for who they really want without fear that they are throwing their vote away.

2. Public election financing. Every politician must have the exact same amount of money to spend on their campaign, and they must be able to enter office without being beholden to anybody.

3. Independent media. As far as I'm concerned, the corporate oligarchy has destroyed the free press in this country. The internet is starting to give voice to journalists who dare to speak against corporate interests, but the problem would be solved completely if it was illegal for one person or corporation to own more than one news outlet.

My main point is that money runs our current system of government, and that must change if we ever want to see a government that actually works for the people.

Ordinarily, gorgon, I'd go through those one by one, but I think today instead I'll just say that you sound like someone who's listening to one side of the story.

Hope you pay attention to the contradictions from McCain too, and see which one seems more contradictory, especially if you're planning on voting for McCain.

For example, have you heard about what McCain did with campaign finance in the primary? You should look at that before condemning Obama's decision to forego public funds, so he could continue to raise most of his money from small donations through the internet (average donation was $68 last month).

^ Second the David Brooks is an idiot. He's just whining because he doesn't like the thought of a tough Democrat.

Besides, Obama always said he'd consider public financing, he did not unequivocally commit to it, contrary to what that obviously objective John McCain guy says.

Let's look at McCain's flip-flops.

My favorites:

Against off-shore drilling, now advocates it.

Thought Iraq would be easy, now says he always knew it would be hard.

Has been both for and against overturning Roe v. Wade.

Against Bush tax cuts, now for them.

Against torture, now for it.

Oh, and how could I forget? John McCain is an election finance criminal.

Technically that last one isn't a flip-flop, but a long-held position, but it seems relevant to the conversation anyways.

David Brooks is a Republican cheerleader. If he wanted to slam Obama for a serious flip-flop, he'd have to talk FISA, but Brooks won't do that because in his very prestigious role as a Republican cheerleader, that's Obama seeing reason, not selling out the 4th amendment.

I think Brooks' article was entertaining read, but I think Republicans like Brooks seem to think all of Obama's appeal comes from being "a different kind of politician", and that any time he makes a smart tactical or strategic move, it's evidence that he's "just another politician." They think articles like this will "shatter the illusion", and make us all get luvey-dovey about McCain, who's a "straight-talker".

If you read through the article I linked and the videos I linked, you'll find that if Brooks is really concerned about us liking a "two-faced politician", he needs to write an expose about McCain.

I won't be holding my breath.

>> ^choggie:
News Flash:
Whoever gets elected, we're all fuckd.
The other two are worse than Skeletor ever thought about being......


Skeletor wanted to uphold the Constitution, withdraw from a failed attempt at imperialism in the middle east, protect the environment, attempt to force corporations to be good public servants, and raise taxes on the rich, while lowering taxes for people making less than $250,000/yr?

That's not evil, that's rational.