No vote for Republican or Democrat

I've been pondering how to do this but once you gain steam as a group, hence Tea Party you are labled crazy or racist via spin from those that own the politicians, lobbyists.  SO how do you get around the lobybists and the media saying "we" people are radicals, and of course somehow racist, and women haters thus causing a falloff in momentum.

I believe most people would enjoy seeing fresh faces.  But you also need term limits.

It has nothing to do with voting... that ship sailed. It is about money. It is no longer a government for the people, it is parties for the money. Money wins every time. The game is rigged.

Then take the blinders off. It isn't pessimistic, it's just reality. The people have continued to ask more and more from the Federal Government and has given it the power to do it. Money naturally will flow to those that can do things. The (R) and the (D) at this point are one in the same... big business, or big government... not one of them is for big people.

It's not a conspiracy, it's not a take over... we have exactly the government we asked for. Now that the two parties have the power and all the money, you and I are not going to change that. There does not need to be a civil war, but it will take a complete melt down of some sort for any practical change... again, just open your eyes.... the biggest financial meltdown since the Great Depression caused entirely by government didn't really even phase most people and the government actually sold us that the cure for overspending and credit bubbles was to spend even more and print more money.... and now we all want to sit back and grip on the "fiscal cliff" deal. Amazing. There should have been pitchforks on the lawn of the WH in 07.... but what do we get.... The American People signing up for 4 more years of the same problem. Hate to be a downer, but it's the truth.

I'm disillusioned (or maybe realistic) by the whole system.  Elections serve to distract the populace and only create division.

The electoral college votes, not us. In only a handful of states are electors beholden by law to vote for whom their district votes, electors are chosen by a varied number of factors, including service, political party, etc. (see here for what I thought about it in brief).

A middle-school-aged girl asked me who I voted for, when I said I voted mostly Libertarian, she said, "What's that?"  

A POLY-SCI major, my husband's co-worker, didn't know that the electoral college was comprised of people. 

*big sigh*

there is a lot of people that like Nader... but I don't rally care about him... point being I do not go out of my way to look for him and I can tell you I have not hear more than his name mentioned in ten years. Ron Paul was perhaps the biggest "outsider" in a while... ya he has a (R) after his name, but everyone knows he is a Libertairian.... his own party absolutely anihilated him in the media. You will be a team player... or you will not play...PERIOD.

Another guy who has some surprisingly good insights on the two party control, is Jesse Ventura. I read one of his books and he was discussing how the laws/rules in each state are so ambiguous/impossible to comply with, that it makes it very difficult for a 3rd party to run.

ETA: It was Don't Start the Revolution Without Me. Very good read.

rayd - 2013-01-02 11:00 PM

powerman - 2013-01-02 8:... again, just open your eyes.... the biggest financial meltdown since the Great Depression caused entirely by government didn't really even phase most people and the government actually sold us that the cure for overspending and credit bubbles was to spend even more and print more money.... and now we all want to sit back and grip on the "fiscal cliff" deal. Amazing. There should have been pitchforks on the lawn of the WH in 07.... but what do we get.... The American People signing up for 4 more years of the same problem. Hate to be a downer, but it's the truth.

and this is the reason I have lost all faith in the American people. The biggest crime of our lives and no one, not anyone, indicted and the American people don't give a carp.

Me as well.  I don't foresee it changing anytime soon.  (Most) people will vote for the guy who promises them the most.  And people are stupid enough to believe them.

TriRSquared - 2013-01-03 8:01 AM

rayd - 2013-01-02 11:00 PM

powerman - 2013-01-02 8:... again, just open your eyes.... the biggest financial meltdown since the Great Depression caused entirely by government didn't really even phase most people and the government actually sold us that the cure for overspending and credit bubbles was to spend even more and print more money.... and now we all want to sit back and grip on the "fiscal cliff" deal. Amazing. There should have been pitchforks on the lawn of the WH in 07.... but what do we get.... The American People signing up for 4 more years of the same problem. Hate to be a downer, but it's the truth.

and this is the reason I have lost all faith in the American people. The biggest crime of our lives and no one, not anyone, indicted and the American people don't give a carp.

Me as well.  I don't foresee it changing anytime soon.  (Most) people will vote for the guy who promises them the most.  And people are stupid enough to believe them.

Agree

Aarondb4 - 2013-01-03 11:09 AM

TriRSquared - 2013-01-03 8:01 AM

rayd - 2013-01-02 11:00 PM

powerman - 2013-01-02 8:... again, just open your eyes.... the biggest financial meltdown since the Great Depression caused entirely by government didn't really even phase most people and the government actually sold us that the cure for overspending and credit bubbles was to spend even more and print more money.... and now we all want to sit back and grip on the "fiscal cliff" deal. Amazing. There should have been pitchforks on the lawn of the WH in 07.... but what do we get.... The American People signing up for 4 more years of the same problem. Hate to be a downer, but it's the truth.

and this is the reason I have lost all faith in the American people. The biggest crime of our lives and no one, not anyone, indicted and the American people don't give a carp.

Me as well.  I don't foresee it changing anytime soon.  (Most) people will vote for the guy who promises them the most.  And people are stupid enough to believe them.

Agree

I also agree and it's not just the D's.  It's both sides.  But more importantly, people want to vote for a 'winner' instead of what they individually feel is the best candidate.

Although I know it would never happen I would like to see either one of 2 things happen:

1) People vote in a vacuum.  That means that they are brave enough to vote for the candidate they feel BEST suits them and only them

2) Everyone agreed to vote out every incumbent.  So if they are in congress now, you vote them out...PERIOD.  Not the most elegant way, but it would be a great start.

I've suggested this to people for years.  Doesn't matter who.  Vote out the incumbent.

You think those in Rangel's district (for example) will do this however?  Hell no.

Marvarnett - 2013-01-03 9:36 AM

Aarondb4 - 2013-01-03 11:09 AM

TriRSquared - 2013-01-03 8:01 AM

rayd - 2013-01-02 11:00 PM

powerman - 2013-01-02 8:... again, just open your eyes.... the biggest financial meltdown since the Great Depression caused entirely by government didn't really even phase most people and the government actually sold us that the cure for overspending and credit bubbles was to spend even more and print more money.... and now we all want to sit back and grip on the "fiscal cliff" deal. Amazing. There should have been pitchforks on the lawn of the WH in 07.... but what do we get.... The American People signing up for 4 more years of the same problem. Hate to be a downer, but it's the truth.

and this is the reason I have lost all faith in the American people. The biggest crime of our lives and no one, not anyone, indicted and the American people don't give a carp.

Me as well.  I don't foresee it changing anytime soon.  (Most) people will vote for the guy who promises them the most.  And people are stupid enough to believe them.

Agree

I also agree and it's not just the D's.  It's both sides.  But more importantly, people want to vote for a 'winner' instead of what they individually feel is the best candidate.

Although I know it would never happen I would like to see either one of 2 things happen:

1) People vote in a vacuum.  That means that they are brave enough to vote for the candidate they feel BEST suits them and only them

2) Everyone agreed to vote out every incumbent.  So if they are in congress now, you vote them out...PERIOD.  Not the most elegant way, but it would be a great start.

I voted for Gary Johnson this year rather than Romney, Johnson fit me better, I would have loved to vote for Paul but alas. 

Luckily for me I knew I wouldn't be helping Obama win by not voting for Romney as my state was sure to go to Romney. I don't know if I would have done the same otherwise because I really didn't want O to win. Tough situation to change. 

Marvarnett - 2013-01-03 9:36 AM

Aarondb4 - 2013-01-03 11:09 AM

TriRSquared - 2013-01-03 8:01 AM

rayd - 2013-01-02 11:00 PM

powerman - 2013-01-02 8:... again, just open your eyes.... the biggest financial meltdown since the Great Depression caused entirely by government didn't really even phase most people and the government actually sold us that the cure for overspending and credit bubbles was to spend even more and print more money.... and now we all want to sit back and grip on the "fiscal cliff" deal. Amazing. There should have been pitchforks on the lawn of the WH in 07.... but what do we get.... The American People signing up for 4 more years of the same problem. Hate to be a downer, but it's the truth.

and this is the reason I have lost all faith in the American people. The biggest crime of our lives and no one, not anyone, indicted and the American people don't give a carp.

Me as well.  I don't foresee it changing anytime soon.  (Most) people will vote for the guy who promises them the most.  And people are stupid enough to believe them.

Agree

I also agree and it's not just the D's.  It's both sides.  But more importantly, people want to vote for a 'winner' instead of what they individually feel is the best candidate.

Although I know it would never happen I would like to see either one of 2 things happen:

1) People vote in a vacuum.  That means that they are brave enough to vote for the candidate they feel BEST suits them and only them

2) Everyone agreed to vote out every incumbent.  So if they are in congress now, you vote them out...PERIOD.  Not the most elegant way, but it would be a great start.

I'd be down with both of those.  Unfortunately, most Americans are so uninformed they don't even know who the incumbent is.  Forget about them taking the time and effort to gather enough information to determine which of the 5 candidates best represents their values.  

Uggh, you know things are bad when being pragmatic sounds cynical.

I think this point is something that is missed in a lot of these conversations.  American's are generally disgusted and the polls show this with the low approval rating of Congress.  However, the reason there is very little turnover every 2 years is that most American's approve of their own representative, they just don't like everyone else.