What the Left Needs to Start (Really)

[Bush92]

Why We Need a Left Wing Tea Party - The Daily Beast

If the left can get moving on this front and the Tea Party branch off on the right, we could possibly have a 4 party system in US. That would be a good thing. (I'm serious on this point)

 

[mdk]

Anything that breaks the strangle hold the Democrats and Republicans have on our political system is a good thing in my eyes.

 

[shart_attack]

Anything that breaks the strangle hold the Democrats and Republicans have on our political system is a good thing in my eyes.

Theoretically, yeah.

But any Intro to Political Science 101 professor (or any good one, that is) will tell you that the two-party system in a representative democracy works best.

It may lend itself to marginalization and polarization and even aid and/ or abet the creation of an underclass, but the two-party system does theoretically ensure that everyone is represented, as everyone has to lay aside minor philosophical differences and choose a side that represents him/ her best overall, intrinsically speaking.

 

[Mac1958]

I agree that we badly need to end the mess in DC, but the Democrats would be nuts to split in two. The GOP/Tea Party has done the Dems a great favor by doing that, why the hell should the Dems waste that huge gift?

.

 

[SmedlyButler]

Why We Need a Left Wing Tea Party - The Daily Beast

If the left can get moving on this front and the Tea Party branch off on the right, we could possibly have a 4 party system in US. That would be a good thing. (I'm serious on this point)

You didn't say why you think this would be a good thing and I haven't read through the thread to see if you elaborate. It wouldn't be because you think it would dilute the liberal vote and divide the opposition would it? Anyway I'm pretty far left and I don't think liberals have to worry too much. The issues that we're passionate on have broad enough support that the gains made in the last 30 yrs and more are not in much danger of a significant roll-back. Especially on women's rights issues, women's voices are loud enough and smart enough that flank is pretty secure even with the social conservative assault.

I've got a different suggestion. I think that there are enough voters on the right and left who agree on the greatest danger to American democracy - the influence of wealth (Wall st., lobbyists, special interests) on the electoral process and therefore legislation. Government for "we the people" is more like "we the corporatists". I've heard Tea Partiers who are particularly angry at this situation. It's not a socialist issue or a "takers" issue it's an issue of fundamental democracy. It'll never happen, but those who agree on this, that it is the most important issue today, should declare a truce on all other issues and do whatever is necessary to "take back Government". (that's a tea party slogan isn't it?) It's like taxation without representation when money has the overwhelming power to purchase an out-sized share of and prime access to that representation. My new sig-line is a demonstration of how strongly I feel about this issue. I could just as well chosen a few lines of Eisenhower's "Military-Industrial Complex" speech. Sometimes it seems that the right and the left are fighting over the scraps left for us by the hogs at the trough.

 

[shart_attack]

Why We Need a Left Wing Tea Party - The Daily Beast

If the left can get moving on this front and the Tea Party branch off on the right, we could possibly have a 4 party system in US. That would be a good thing. (I'm serious on this point)

You didn't say why you think this would be a good thing and I haven't read through the thread to see if you elaborate. It wouldn't be because you think it would dilute the liberal vote and divide the opposition would it? Anyway I'm pretty far left and I don't think liberals have to worry too much. The issues that we're passionate on have broad enough support that the gains made in the last 30 yrs and more are not in much danger of a significant roll-back. Especially on women's rights issues, women's voices are loud enough and smart enough that flank is pretty secure even with the social conservative assault.

And you'd be mistaken about that.

If there is one thing the Obama Administration has egregiously shown, it's that there is too much polarization between the Far Left and the Centrist Left.

A black Baptist family of traditional Democrats in say, Tulsa, Oklahoma doesn't share the Far Left views of a bunch of Millenials playing house in the Bay Area of California.

And that's a dangerous thing.

It is not good for America when we are so gratuitously polarized.

And you can bet your jackboots that Hillary Clinton knows that.

I've got a different suggestion. I think that there are enough voters on the right and left who agree on the greatest danger to American democracy - the influence of wealth (Wall st., lobbyists, special interests) on the electoral process and therefore legislation. Government for "we the people" is more like "we the corporatists". I've heard Tea Partiers who are particularly angry at this situation. It's not a socialist issue or a "takers" issue it's an issue of fundamental democracy. It'll never happen, but those who agree on this, that it is the most important issue today, should declare a truce on all other issues and do whatever is necessary to "take back Government". (that's a tea party slogan isn't it?) It's like taxation without representation when money has the overwhelming power to purchase an out-sized share of and prime access to that representation. My new sig-line is a demonstration of how strongly I feel about this issue. I could just as well chosen a few lines of Eisenhower's "Military-Industrial Complex" speech. Sometimes it seems that the right and the left are fighting over the scraps left for us by the hogs at the trough.

 

[Wry Catcher]

Progressive/liberal ideas have traction in all but he most extreme conservative citizens. Most Americans agree women should be paid the same as men for the same work; seperate but equal is never equal and that the wealth of our nation is too much in the hands of the 1% for the long term good of our nation.

Most agree that having a child is a personal matter and one which a government should not impose; that a town, city, county or parish and state ought to be governed by political bodies which represent the demographics of the political subdivision, and that the rule of law must be applied equally and fairly to citizens and non citizens alike.

Yet the right seems to win the propaganda battle as reactionary forces work everyday to 'defrock' our democratic institutions and traditions. Why?

 

[g5000]

Why We Need a Left Wing Tea Party - The Daily Beast

If the left can get moving on this front and the Tea Party branch off on the right, we could possibly have a 4 party system in US. That would be a good thing. (I'm serious on this point)

The Left Wing already has a "tea party". It's called Occupy Wall Street.

The article fawns over Elizabeth Warren. Well, Warren would not be where she is today if not for the OWS movement. Her whole schtick revolves around Wall Street.

 

[Derideo_Te]

Progressive/liberal ideas have traction in all but he most extreme conservative citizens. Most Americans agree women should be paid the same as men for the same work; seperate but equal is never equal and that the wealth of our nation is too much in the hands of the 1% for the long term good of our nation.

Most agree that having a child is a personal matter and one which a government should not impose; that a town, city, county or parish and state ought to be governed by political bodies which represent the demographics of the political subdivision, and that the rule of law must be applied equally and fairly to citizens and non citizens alike.

Yet the right seems to win the propaganda battle as reactionary forces work everyday to 'defrock' our democratic institutions and traditions. Why?

Because they whine the loudest, are the most gullible and are easily swayed by the politics of personal destruction.

 

[Wry Catcher]

Why We Need a Left Wing Tea Party - The Daily Beast

If the left can get moving on this front and the Tea Party branch off on the right, we could possibly have a 4 party system in US. That would be a good thing. (I'm serious on this point)

The Left Wing already has a "tea party". It's called Occupy Wall Street.

The article fawns over Elizabeth Warren. Well, Warren would not be where she is today if not for the OWS movement. Her whole schtick revolves around Wall Street.

"her schtick" is based on historical events and economic realities. I don't believe Sen. Warren is seasoned enough to be the Democratic nominee for POTUS, but she is smart enough and detailed in her presentations that she should not be ignored or marginalized.

 

[Bush92]

I think it would be a good thing. Give people a place. Far left , left, swing right, far right.

 

[Derideo_Te]

I think it would be a good thing. Give people a place. Far left , left, swing right, far right.

Nope!

Already have way too many partisans on the left and the right.

What We the People need is a Center Party. Fiscally sane and socially moderate. People are what are important. Keep it simple and straightforward. Support politicians that do what is right for the people and oppose politicians who are in it for power, special interests, partisan politics, etc.

 

[Wry Catcher]

I think it would be a good thing. Give people a place. Far left , left, swing right, far right.

Nope!

Already have way too many partisans on the left and the right.

What We the People need is a Center Party. Fiscally sane and socially moderate. People are what are important. Keep it simple and straightforward. Support politicians that do what is right for the people and oppose politicians who are in it for power, special interests, partisan politics, etc.

What we don't need are extremists, crazy one issue people and parties who lack the intellectual ability and education to have panoptic vision; the far left and far right are myoptic at best.

 

[Bush92]

I think it would be a good thing. Give people a place. Far left , left, swing right, far right.

Nope!

Already have way too many partisans on the left and the right.

What We the People need is a Center Party. Fiscally sane and socially moderate. People are what are important. Keep it simple and straightforward. Support politicians that do what is right for the people and oppose politicians who are in it for power, special interests, partisan politics, etc.

What we don't need are extremists, crazy one issue people and parties who lack the intellectual ability and education to have panoptic vision; the far left and far right are myoptic at best.

Which is what you have with the Democrats right now. Democrats are for redistribution of the wealth, treating society and the economy as if it s about class consciousness and class struggle. The Democrats are FAR left. But the have those hangers on...the Clinton's, Gores, Kerry's, and Bidens that are wealthy White people, and that is a sin unto damnation in the Democratic Party. So this nonsense that somehow Democrats are centrist is bunk!

 

[Bush92]

So you are a

I think it would be a good thing. Give people a place. Far left , left, swing right, far right.

Nope!

Already have way too many partisans on the left and the right.

What We the People need is a Center Party. Fiscally sane and socially moderate. People are what are important. Keep it simple and straightforward. Support politicians that do what is right for the people and oppose politicians who are in it for power, special interests, partisan politics, etc.

So you are a libertarian?

 

[Bush92]

Why We Need a Left Wing Tea Party - The Daily Beast

If the left can get moving on this front and the Tea Party branch off on the right, we could possibly have a 4 party system in US. That would be a good thing. (I'm serious on this point)

The Left Wing already has a "tea party". It's called Occupy Wall Street.

The article fawns over Elizabeth Warren. Well, Warren would not be where she is today if not for the OWS movement. Her whole schtick revolves around Wall Street.

"her schtick" is based on historical events and economic realities. I don't believe Sen. Warren is seasoned enough to be the Democratic nominee for POTUS, but she is smart enough and detailed in her presentations that she should not be ignored or marginalized.

She is the face of the Democratic Party. Clinton's are too establishment as well as Kerry, Biden, Gores, Reid, ect. There is a lot of red roses in the Democrat Party these days.

 

[Bush92]

Progressive/liberal ideas have traction in all but he most extreme conservative citizens. Most Americans agree women should be paid the same as men for the same work; seperate but equal is never equal and that the wealth of our nation is too much in the hands of the 1% for the long term good of our nation.

Most agree that having a child is a personal matter and one which a government should not impose; that a town, city, county or parish and state ought to be governed by political bodies which represent the demographics of the political subdivision, and that the rule of law must be applied equally and fairly to citizens and non citizens alike.

Yet the right seems to win the propaganda battle as reactionary forces work everyday to 'defrock' our democratic institutions and traditions. Why?

Wrong! It's all how you phrase or frame the question. "Should everyone have comparable wages for comparable worth?" No shit. Everyone will say yes to that question. "Should the most qualified person get the job or pay raise, or should it be based on gender and race?" Almost everyone will say based on ability. So don't think you have "traction" outside your own little leftist world. Having a child is a personal matter...now ask about aborting a healthy fetus for other than health of mother, incest or rape? Buzzer says no leftist. Should laws apply to everyone...Yes says the people. Should people be allowed to come here illegally? No says the people. It's all the optics of the question. But if you ask people should they be rewarded for hard work or welfare? Liberals lose.

 

[Bush92]

Anything that breaks the strangle hold the Democrats and Republicans have on our political system is a good thing in my eyes.

Theoretically, yeah.

But any Intro to Political Science 101 professor (or any good one, that is) will tell you that the two-party system in a representative democracy works best.

It may lend itself to marginalization and polarization and even aid and/ or abet the creation of an underclass, but the two-party system does theoretically ensure that everyone is represented, as everyone has to lay aside minor philosophical differences and choose a side that represents him/ her best overall, intrinsically speaking.

Sorry Shark...just put in 16 hour day so my taxes can go to support dead beats in my country or coming into my country. Yes, the two party system has had stabilizing effect over the years, but people just don't fit into those two boxes anymore. We are liberals, populist, conservatives and libertarians. All these don't fit nicely into two shoe boxes. I was. Blue Dog for years until the party left me. Democrat Party is all about victimization. They whine, cry, bitch and moan about everything, but help no one out of poverty. Only the free market can do that. Democrat Party is obsessed with gay marriage and racism. Used to care about jobs and small business. Now they want to fight for social justice. Who the hell gets discriminated against in this country? I know. Conservative White males.

 

[The Rabbi]

Progressive/liberal ideas have traction in all but he most extreme conservative citizens. Most Americans agree women should be paid the same as men for the same work; seperate but equal is never equal and that the wealth of our nation is too much in the hands of the 1% for the long term good of our nation.

Most agree that having a child is a personal matter and one which a government should not impose; that a town, city, county or parish and state ought to be governed by political bodies which represent the demographics of the political subdivision, and that the rule of law must be applied equally and fairly to citizens and non citizens alike.

Yet the right seems to win the propaganda battle as reactionary forces work everyday to 'defrock' our democratic institutions and traditions. Why?

You certainly win the award for most vapid post.
Because at the same time most Americans would agree that allowing lawsuits against employers on spurious grounds is wrong, killing children is wrong, and confiscating wealth from hard working people is wrong.
Which are all other ways to word what you wrote.

 

[Wry Catcher]

I think it would be a good thing. Give people a place. Far left , left, swing right, far right.

Nope!

Already have way too many partisans on the left and the right.

What We the People need is a Center Party. Fiscally sane and socially moderate. People are what are important. Keep it simple and straightforward. Support politicians that do what is right for the people and oppose politicians who are in it for power, special interests, partisan politics, etc.

What we don't need are extremists, crazy one issue people and parties who lack the intellectual ability and education to have panoptic vision; the far left and far right are myoptic at best.

Which is what you have with the Democrats right now. Democrats are for redistribution of the wealth, treating society and the economy as if it s about class consciousness and class struggle. The Democrats are FAR left. But the have those hangers on...the Clinton's, Gores, Kerry's, and Bidens that are wealthy White people, and that is a sin unto damnation in the Democratic Party. So this nonsense that somehow Democrats are centrist is bunk!

You're one of those who lacks the vision to see a all parts of an issue, and thus default to personal attacks using talking points that have become cliches; "redistribution of the wealth" is a myth, perpetraited by those who hope to cut capital gains taxes, inheritance taxes and make the income taxes flat so we all pay the same rate. Guess who benefits from these changes?