(December 5, 2014 at 5:43 am)Hoopington Wrote:

(December 4, 2014 at 1:31 pm)Heywood Wrote: The republicans would toss me out of their tent if they knew my positions. I'm hardly a republican.

So....you voted Democrat in the last election?

If I did would that make me a democrat?

(December 5, 2014 at 6:47 am)Heywood Wrote:

(December 5, 2014 at 5:43 am)Hoopington Wrote: So....you voted Democrat in the last election?

If I did would that make me a democrat?

You tell me?

I'm not pointing fingers or trying to start a ruck, this isn't God we're talking about. I'm British, I'm genuinely interested.

(December 5, 2014 at 6:56 am)Hoopington Wrote:

(December 5, 2014 at 6:47 am)Heywood Wrote: If I did would that make me a democrat?

You tell me?

I'm not pointing fingers or trying to start a ruck, this isn't God we're talking about. I'm British, I'm genuinely interested.

Our system is set up so that voters like me don't vote for who they want to see in office. They vote against the person they most want to not see in office.

(December 5, 2014 at 7:03 am)Heywood Wrote:

(December 5, 2014 at 6:56 am)Hoopington Wrote: You tell me?

I'm not pointing fingers or trying to start a ruck, this isn't God we're talking about. I'm British, I'm genuinely interested.

Our system is set up so that voters like me don't vote for who they want to see in office. They vote against the person they most want to not see in office.

Sounds remarkably similar to our system, but what we don't get over here so much is the rabid "them and us" mentality you seem to have, it's almost akin to some of the sectarian troubles we've had over here.

(December 5, 2014 at 7:23 am)Hoopington Wrote:

(December 5, 2014 at 7:03 am)Heywood Wrote: Our system is set up so that voters like me don't vote for who they want to see in office. They vote against the person they most want to not see in office.

Sounds remarkably similar to our system, but what we don't get over here so much is the rabid "them and us" mentality you seem to have, it's almost akin to some of the sectarian troubles we've had over here.

The effect is called strategic voting and it is something that is an unavoidable artifact of democratic systems. Instant run-off(also called Alternative voting) elections would help as they would result in the person being elected being the most agreeable to the electorate. If we had instant runoff elections, we would have never had a President Clinton as most of the Perot votes would have made Bush their second choice.

(December 5, 2014 at 7:23 am)Hoopington Wrote: Sounds remarkably similar to our system, but what we don't get over here so much is the rabid "them and us" mentality you seem to have, it's almost akin to some of the sectarian troubles we've had over here.

The inability to conduct civil political discourse is hamstringing our ability to address the many issues we have; the inability to compromise is gumming the works.

(December 5, 2014 at 8:11 am)Parkers Tan Wrote:

(December 5, 2014 at 7:23 am)Hoopington Wrote: Sounds remarkably similar to our system, but what we don't get over here so much is the rabid "them and us" mentality you seem to have, it's almost akin to some of the sectarian troubles we've had over here.

The inability to conduct civil political discourse is hamstringing our ability to address the many issues we have; the inability to compromise is gumming the works.

Nope, we had 30 years of "compromise" and the pay gap is exactly why the right and left and classes and races are divided.

Once you accept evolution you know that a stable ecosystem allows for some inequity, allows for diversity and is sustained better when it is balanced and not lopsided.

The GOP, the 1% and the bankers have monopolized our market and created this climate of fear and division. Some of it tactical and deliberate but most of it delusional compartmentalization to justify protecting the group.

The time for compromise is over. If things are going to improve it is time for them to accept that they are not the center of the universe and do not get to dictate to the rest of society.

The only way those with power can earn my trust is to stop repeating the same old bullshit, and actually listen to those they needlessly fear to justify their greed.

Outside that, I am tired of giving a fuck about what they want.

(December 5, 2014 at 8:11 am)Parkers Tan Wrote: The inability to conduct civil political discourse is hamstringing our ability to address the many issues we have; the inability to compromise is gumming the works.

Actually, the problem is that the GOP has gone insane. You can't have political discourse with people who live in an alternate reality. You can't have compromise with people who are trying to sabotage the system.

The efforts on the left should not be to try to reason with people like Heywood and ATheist. They are gone, completely unreachable. You may as well try to reason with a schizophrenic.

Our efforts in our political discourse should be to go after the fake-centrists that dominate our media and their "both sides do it" narrative. This is the big lie that gives cover to Rush Limbaugh and his ilk. Without the big lie, Republicans would be held accountable for all their abuse, incompetence and dishonesty.

(December 5, 2014 at 9:51 am)DeistPaladin Wrote:

(December 5, 2014 at 8:11 am)Parkers Tan Wrote: The inability to conduct civil political discourse is hamstringing our ability to address the many issues we have; the inability to compromise is gumming the works.

Actually, the problem is that the GOP has gone insane. You can't have political discourse with people who live in an alternate reality. You can't have compromise with people who are trying to sabotage the system.

The efforts on the left should not be to try to reason with people like Heywood and ATheist. They are gone, completely unreachable. You may as well try to reason with a schizophrenic.

Our efforts in our political discourse should be to go after the fake-centrists that dominate our media and their "both sides do it" narrative. This is the big lie that gives cover to Rush Limbaugh and his ilk. Without the big lie, Republicans would be held accountable for all their abuse, incompetence and dishonesty.

BINGO!

Brown no true bill, reason "he said she said, believe the cop".

Treyvon Martin, Zimmerman excuse "I said and stand your ground" not convicted.

Eric Garner, no true bill even with a video.

Cop kills girl here, judge drops charges.

http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/mi.../16636179/