Rush Limbaugh STILL is a big, fat idiot

[Cicero]

Here. This thread isn't long enough. I like to watch it grow.
I think this is a great topic.

[xoxoxoBruce]

The Democrats are really getting dirty now. They mailed literature saying Curt Weldon (R PA 7th), was worse than a .....Dallas Cowboys Fan.

[Flint]

In this thread, 10 years ago, I argued that the only way to bring meaningful change to American politics was to vote third party, and over time, to send a message of non-participation to the two-party system. I believed, and still do believe that this was the only moral, logical choice we had at that time. Because partisan politics were leading us nowhere, and the fundamental issues of corruption within both parties was never going to be solved by swinging a superficially ideological pendulum back and forth.

Since then, partisan politics have become even more polarized, record numbers of Americans are identifying as independent, and both major parties have been hijacked from within, by anti-establishment candidates.

The narrative I see—and please correct me if you disagree—is that enough people have become disillusioned with the status quo, that we’ve reached a breaking point. The groundswell of “ƒuck the system” has finally crystallized. And those who have been “throwing our votes away” have finally added up to something that counts. Is that accurate? Are we really moving in a direction to change things? Or am I still a fool.

[xoxoxoBruce]

I agree in theory, but to accomplish it takes educated, as well as concerned, voters participating from the ground up.

Americans don't want to be educated, at best maybe slightly concerned. They don't want to be involved, they don't want to be distracted from their full time dedication to avoiding reality and hating "the others".

Americans may get pissed off enough about some issue to actually carry a sign and mug for the TV cameras, if they can schedule it between Jr's baseball practice and Sis's dance lessons, but they want someone else to educate themselves on the complicated problem of running the government, and do it. They also want someone else to keep tabs on the ones doing it, 'cause ain't nobody got time for that.

When it comes time to vote, if they can squeeze it in without missing supper or missing Pat and Vanna time, they'll do it for bragging rights, feeling all proud to have contributed their two cents to truth, justice, and the American way. Knowing in their heart, the guy that contributed $10,000 has the real say in the outcome.

Like I said, I agree in theory, but I don't see it happening.

[Flint]

Originally Posted by Flint

In this thread, 10 years ago, I argued that the only way to bring meaningful change to American politics was to vote third party, and over time, to send a message of non-participation to the two-party system.
...
Since then, partisan politics have become even more polarized, record numbers of Americans are identifying as independent, and both major parties have been hijacked from within, by anti-establishment candidates.
...
05-16-2016, 06:00 PM

Since then: the "populist message" Republican hijacker succeeded in winning the White House, but not much else, due to lack of experience. The "populist message" Democrat hijacker was squashed by the Democrats, who used brute force politics to prolong their positions of power.

Since then: both parties are still quite fractured between reasonable members (called "moderates" on the right, "progressives" on the left) who want to get elected/re-elected by actually serving the public, and ideologues who cater to consumers of opinion-based "news" sources (conservative-flavored on the right, identity-flavored on the left).

This is where we're at: the great enemy of the political change that people are literally taking to the streets to demand, is party loyalty driven by customized news feeds, driven by "big data" analytics.

The great enemy is that facts don't exist anymore. There's no common ground on which to debate, as everyone is in a different flavor of reality.

And if the oligarchs get control of the free internet, the fight is over.

[xoxoxoBruce]

I don't think the moderates stand a chance without campaign finance reform. Lock out the oligarchs and PACS, maybe even public financing. Big money has been working at the state level getting governors and state politicians elected, primarily knocking out moderates in the primaries where nobody bothers to vote.

[BigV]

Still very premature. The people see the dysfunction, but don't see the extent of the entanglement of the two parties with the levers of political power.

[classicman]

Not a fool, but foolish to think that any more than about 10% are willing to break away from the only thing they've ever known.

[Happy Monkey]

Rush goes past idiot a fair bit here.

Originally Posted by RUSH LIMBAUGH

You know what the magic word, the only thing that matters in American sexual mores today is? One thing. You can do anything, the left will promote and understand and tolerate anything, as long as there is one element. Do you know what it is? Consent. If there is consent on both or all three or all four, however many are involved in the sex act, it’s perfectly fine. Whatever it is. But if the left ever senses and smells that there’s no consent in part of the equation then here come the rape police. But consent is the magic key to the left.

[xoxoxoBruce]

I think he's right. I also think it's a good thing.

[Happy Monkey]

Indeed, except, speaking of "right", note the "left"s.

But if the left ever senses and smells that there’s no consent in part of the equation then here come the rape police.

He is literally complaining that, with "the left" in charge, sex without consent is a crime.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by Happy Monkey

Indeed, except, speaking of "right", note the "left"s.

He is literally complaining that, with "the left" in charge, sex without consent is a crime.

I know that, but what he's saying is right correct. I'm saying that's the way it should be.

[fargon]

No matter who's in charge sex without consent is RAPE.

[Happy Monkey]

No argument here.

Except I wonder how many people who aren't in "the left" want to cede that moral position to "the left".

[xoxoxoBruce]

'cause boys will be boys, she was dressed like a slut, he was drunk/stoned, everyone knows she puts out, etc, etc, ad infinitum.