I think I have an interesting solution to our problem as progressives. Our problem is that we're in a Catch 22. We are stuck with a strictly two-party system. For those outside America, I can only say briefly that our Byzantine system is rigged in such a way that a vote for a 3rd party is little more than a symbolic gesture.
The way it's supposed to work is the two parties are supposed to oppose each other. Instead, we have a two party system that represents more a "good corporate cop, bad corporate cop" systems where the Republicans beat the crap out of us while the Democrats say, "Look, I'd like to help you but we gotta be realistic and give this guy something..."
The problem started roughly around the 90s when Clinton made his center-right administration work by the force of his personality. Since then, Democrats continue to run to the right in order to capture that elusive "center". The Republicans do the same, going further and further right with each election.
What's worse is that the trend is against us. The "center" has moved further and further to the right and will continue to do so as long as Democrats cling to the "Republican Lite" strategy.
So it seems progressives have two horrible options (pick your poison):
1. Hold our noses and vote for the spineless conserva-Dem who's sole redeeming quality is that the Republican is worse. Doing so will validate the Democrat strategy that they can take us for granted and they will continue to run to the right.
2. Vote 3rd party hoping to "send a message". The result is the Republicans will likely win. Still, you can hope it's a tactical retreat and that the Democrat party will learn it's lesson and stop throwing us under the bus. They probably won't.
OK, having reviewed this bleak situation, here's my suggestion on a third strategy:
It depends on which state you live in.
If you live in a "blue state" or a "swing state", hold your nose and vote for Obama.
If you live in a "red state", one that went McCain in the last election, vote third party.
This strategy will not deny Obama any electoral votes, since winner-take-all ensures that my vote in my red state won't matter anyway. Whether a state goes 51/49 or 100% makes no difference, all electoral votes go to the winner.
However, this red-state-3rd-party strategy will ensure the 3rd party has a strong showing. It's a symbolic gesture but we lose nothing by trying it. If it works, it may be a shot off the DLC's bow and send a strong message that we're sick of being thrown under the bus.
The way it's supposed to work is the two parties are supposed to oppose each other. Instead, we have a two party system that represents more a "good corporate cop, bad corporate cop" systems where the Republicans beat the crap out of us while the Democrats say, "Look, I'd like to help you but we gotta be realistic and give this guy something..."
The problem started roughly around the 90s when Clinton made his center-right administration work by the force of his personality. Since then, Democrats continue to run to the right in order to capture that elusive "center". The Republicans do the same, going further and further right with each election.
What's worse is that the trend is against us. The "center" has moved further and further to the right and will continue to do so as long as Democrats cling to the "Republican Lite" strategy.
So it seems progressives have two horrible options (pick your poison):
1. Hold our noses and vote for the spineless conserva-Dem who's sole redeeming quality is that the Republican is worse. Doing so will validate the Democrat strategy that they can take us for granted and they will continue to run to the right.
2. Vote 3rd party hoping to "send a message". The result is the Republicans will likely win. Still, you can hope it's a tactical retreat and that the Democrat party will learn it's lesson and stop throwing us under the bus. They probably won't.
OK, having reviewed this bleak situation, here's my suggestion on a third strategy:
It depends on which state you live in.
If you live in a "blue state" or a "swing state", hold your nose and vote for Obama.
If you live in a "red state", one that went McCain in the last election, vote third party.
This strategy will not deny Obama any electoral votes, since winner-take-all ensures that my vote in my red state won't matter anyway. Whether a state goes 51/49 or 100% makes no difference, all electoral votes go to the winner.
However, this red-state-3rd-party strategy will ensure the 3rd party has a strong showing. It's a symbolic gesture but we lose nothing by trying it. If it works, it may be a shot off the DLC's bow and send a strong message that we're sick of being thrown under the bus.
Atheist Forums Hall of Shame:
"The trinity can be equated to having your cake and eating it too."
... -Lucent, trying to defend the Trinity concept
"(Yahweh's) actions are good because (Yahweh) is the ultimate standard of goodness. That’s not begging the question"
... -Statler Waldorf, Christian apologist
"The trinity can be equated to having your cake and eating it too."
... -Lucent, trying to defend the Trinity concept
"(Yahweh's) actions are good because (Yahweh) is the ultimate standard of goodness. That’s not begging the question"
... -Statler Waldorf, Christian apologist
