But on the other hand, our political parties SHOULD reflect our worldviews. Else why would we support them? The Democrats have power because those of similar mind support and vote for them. Same with Republicans.
except they don't. we have 2 choices, one dimension, where we have 3 (or more) dimensions of stuff to deal with: economic policies (lessaiz-fare capitalism to socialism), individual freedoms vs. protecting the members of society, and the power of the local & state governments vs. the power of the federal system on the nation as a whole.
this is where single issue politics get involved.
some people are "republican" because of the abortion issue (protecting society, in this case the unborn's right to become part of that society), while others are republican because of the gun issue (individual freedom).
some people are "republican" because of the emphasis on smaller federal government ("states' rights"), yet they were at odds last month with the "must protect the members of society" side of the republican party when it came to the Schiavo case.
and BOTH sides don't represent the majority of the people in economic issues because in spite of their campaigning, their finances that keep them campaigning (and therefore in office) are all lobbies from corporations looking for favors. on BOTH sides. so neither side speaks correctly for individual freedom in the face of corporate control of our resources. pure lessaiz-fare capitalism is at odds with individual freedoms AND protecting the members of society, since both of those purposes have aspects of social welfare involved.
there would need to be at least 6 parties to come close to approximating the current state of the country, and the more centrist ones would be the winners almost every time.
the real problem in how we see elections as black or white is that the more vital part of the electoral process (getting the right candidates to start with) is ignored today. few people vote for candidates for congress or state legislations at the primary level, except those who really strongly support one (and centrists/moderates rarely feel the need to "strongly" support anything). so the extremists get the wins at the primaries and suddenly the core vote is a choice between extremists.
when the moderates DO get involved in the primary process, common sense can suddenly take over against conventional wisdom. That's how "Uncle Newt" lost.
(no subject)
except they don't. we have 2 choices, one dimension, where we have 3 (or more) dimensions of stuff to deal with: economic policies (lessaiz-fare capitalism to socialism), individual freedoms vs. protecting the members of society, and the power of the local & state governments vs. the power of the federal system on the nation as a whole.
this is where single issue politics get involved.
some people are "republican" because of the abortion issue (protecting society, in this case the unborn's right to become part of that society), while others are republican because of the gun issue (individual freedom).
some people are "republican" because of the emphasis on smaller federal government ("states' rights"), yet they were at odds last month with the "must protect the members of society" side of the republican party when it came to the Schiavo case.
and BOTH sides don't represent the majority of the people in economic issues because in spite of their campaigning, their finances that keep them campaigning (and therefore in office) are all lobbies from corporations looking for favors. on BOTH sides. so neither side speaks correctly for individual freedom in the face of corporate control of our resources. pure lessaiz-fare capitalism is at odds with individual freedoms AND protecting the members of society, since both of those purposes have aspects of social welfare involved.
there would need to be at least 6 parties to come close to approximating the current state of the country, and the more centrist ones would be the winners almost every time.
the real problem in how we see elections as black or white is that the more vital part of the electoral process (getting the right candidates to start with) is ignored today. few people vote for candidates for congress or state legislations at the primary level, except those who really strongly support one (and centrists/moderates rarely feel the need to "strongly" support anything). so the extremists get the wins at the primaries and suddenly the core vote is a choice between extremists.
when the moderates DO get involved in the primary process, common sense can suddenly take over against conventional wisdom. That's how "Uncle Newt" lost.