After yesterday's post several people asked what can we do to help facilitate change in this country. We have a system that is not working in a way that constructively solves our country's problems. We shouldn't have to go through such ugliness to address detrimental issues. Health care reform was passed without one single Republican vote. Our two party system is simply not working. Its time to do things differently.
The New York Times had an opinion this morning by Thomas L. Friedman that actually made some sense. It is possible, with enough of us demanding these types of changes, to move this mess into a productive governing body once again.
Please let me know what you think about some of these ideas.
A Tea Party Without Nuts makes sense to me. Where do I sign up for this third party?
24 comments:
Nancy - there is a third party in this country and I have belonged to it since becoming legal to vote. It's called the independent party and it is growing larger every year. It is time all Americans voted for the person, not the party.
If we could educate just a few more million people as to HOW to HEAR news, how to investigate the truth, how to form their own opinions I believe many of these party line prejudices would be solved.
Let's face it. Palin, The Tea Party - all they want to do is cram nonsense down people's throats. They don't want a thinking person within their ranks. Thinking is dangerous ... it could lead to all sorts of bad behavior - behavior like forming an educated opinion, listening to all sides of the argument, caring for another, and who knows what else?
It is up to us - Mothers and Fathers to educate our young people to form their own opinions and not rely on the media and politicians to form them for us.
Independent Thinking. What a concept.
Did you read Maureen Dowd as well? I thought both of them were right on target this morning. I hope you're regaining your optimism.
ps- alternative voting! Brilliant, I am going to write my representatives and suggest this.
Far be it for me etc.Democracy is always long-winded and cumbersome but at least you have it hey?The people so often fail to recognise they have power..John Lennon knew a thing or three,If you don't like it you have the power with numbers to change it.Good wishes!
Okay, I had to go and read that editorial. And then Dowd's. And yes, they are both right on. Why can't we get alternative voting here, like they do in Australia? Because I am SURE that both parties will fight tooth and nail to keep it from happening, because then we would end up with a third party with teeth. I appreciate you writing this post, Nancy. I am feeling quite optimistic about something good coming from this time in history.
Nancy, I'm with you. The two-party system is broken, almost entirely. What was bizarre about the health care debate is that Republican support among voters was not nonexistent.
The working middle class, frequently identified as the most likely group to be without adequate coverage, skews heavily Republican...and I've yet to meet a person without coverage who was against reform.
Reform passed without so much as one Republican vote...and that wasn't even reflective of their constituents.
That's partly why things need to be rethought, and the suggestions in the article you linked to are good ones. I'm a registered Independent, although it's very clear I land well into the left on all issues.
As horrified by the Tea Party people as I was, I also feel for Republicans, who are no longer being represented in their wishes at all. This extremist, overly vocal, hate filled, ignorance burdened, faction of the Republican party is holding the entire GOP hostage.
I could never be a conservative anything, but it is horrifying to know many, many moderate Republican voters supported health care, but not one elected official from that party voted "Yes".
Something does need to be done.
Sounds to me like the Republicans have all gone mad. They are acting like spoilt children because they didn't get their own way for once.
Now is the time to stand behind the president and support him wholeheartedly, all working together to make things happen. He is a magnificent leader and deserves to be supported.
In England we have two main parties and several others, but as far as I can see, voting for the middle way just serves to dilute the problem. They will not win, they just pick up a few votes from the people left or right of centre.
Good luck as you seek to find the way. You are nearly there, don't stop now, keep running towards the post.
Blessings, Star
I like the emphasis on "without nuts" in the title. That was a really good editorial, Nancy; thanks for steering me towards it.
The partisan deadlock in the U.S. is totally out of control and these are reasonable, non-inflammatory solutions.
It was a fun read. What we need is campaign reform. Right now, we are electing folks who have to be independently wealthy just to run. To win, they need so much money! As long as representatives need to depend on corporate support, they will not work for us, the voters.
Let's fix government, one step at a time by staying involved and being counted.
We can make a change if we stay sober and reasonable and keep on trucking.
About the only thing I miss about not reading the paper is Thomas Friedman's editorials.
This system is broken, has been for awhile. I'm not optimistic though about getting a third party. the two we have will never let it happen.
I have always been a quiet democrat. I look at things as light, dark and grey. I can always understand where each side is coming from but I usually am the quiet 'makes sense' side.
I have lived through a lot of republicans and just hoped they would do the best job. Now, that we actually have someone in office who 'wants' the best for our country .. the republicans are showing who they really are.
Healthcare ... that's a no brainer but it's taken this whole time to get something. Not that it's perfect but at least it's a start.
Just my opinion ... when they put Palin up to run, I was just shocked that that was the best they could find.
Scary but at least I know I did what I could.
And, the abortion question .. I've always thought that a woman should be able to have that option. Everyone has different opinions on 'it' but there should always be available. Now, that one I would come out of my woods to defend.
Now, going back to my woods to have tea ...
spot on...
been an indepedant all my life...
great comment by good cook as well...
The article talks about "alternative voting" which allows for your vote to be counted one way or the other. One of the reasons people do not vote Independent is because they are afraid their vote will allow one side or the other to win. In Australia they have "alternative voting" whereby if the Independent does not win, then your vote goes to your second choice. It is absolutely brilliant, and I will be contacting my elected officials with putting this on the ballot. I want a choice other than Republican or Democrat. They are not representing me any longer.
2 good posts Nancy! The division this causes is sad. The name calling , the anger, the hate. Its all so ridiculous. You know why animals have such beautiful colors on them? because they have NO POLITICS! =0D
Great article. Great post!
Good post, Nancy.
I feel like an ignorant fool when it comes to politics. I am beginning to feel more informed... :)
I have a foul smell in my nose for Republicans and I always have. Just reading about the awful things they said to representatives set me off.
How about if we call it something other than tea party? And how about if we have a dozen different parties? Or fifty? Diversity.
Let's do it together!
Aloha from Hawaii my Friend
Comfort Spiral
I love him. He is always such a voice of reason.
Hello, dear Nancy...as usual you are right in the thick of all the interesting debate! You are a courageous, and lovely lady! Have a wonderful weekend! ~Janine XO
I LOVE Diamond's ideas to redistrict and to do the alternate voting. I really hope a third party - or more - will rise up to help dismantle this totally STUCK two party system.
If all of these independents would register Republican perhaps they could take back the Republican Party from the Carzys and nominate some thoughtful politicians. Then we would all have some choice.
I think it will take time for us to heal after the demoralizing 8 years under GW Bush. We have a brilliant president, things are turning back towards the light.
I'm keeping my eye on the prize of the changes that have happened, avoiding getting sucked into the anger and bitterness that is the aftermath of Dubya.
Onwards & upwards!
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