Cathy, might be good for you to go back and read the reasoning and conditions behind John Adams comment. Shall we return to a bunch of people running independently, with the top vote getter becoming President and the second becoming vice-president. At the time the founders were cycling the offices among themselves. Jefferson (an odd man…
Cathy, might be good for you to go back and read the reasoning and conditions behind John Adams comment. Shall we return to a bunch of people running independently, with the top vote getter becoming President and the second becoming vice-president. At the time the founders were cycling the offices among themselves. Jefferson (an odd man in many ways) broke that when he figured out how to manipulate the system in his favor. There were factions before, but that likely was when parties began, so that voters could join together to promote their choice of candidates and causes. Remember also that those votes were not cast by "All the People", but basically by more or less self-selected representatives of the people. "People" did not include women, most colored men, or, in many places, men who did not own land. There were many parties, not just two, in the beginning. The same is true now, and both major parties are actually coalitions of people who share enough values and goals in common to work together. What we're seeing now is yet another shift in those coalitions, esp on the side currently known as "Republican", whose factions are breaking apart. The chaos is significant. And it may disintegrate. But our of the chaos may emerge other ways of organizing around conservative principles. Or some splintering may occur, with a central party emerging that pushes the extreme right wing into irrelevance. Some signs of that possibility.
To be honest, I am not sure what your point really is in your post. At one point you say "celebrate the Constitution", but the "solutions" you propose (some of which do not even make sense) would require us to throw the Constitution away.
I hope that some of the people who "liked" what you wrote reread it and rethink what they are actually "liking". Several commenters noted the inconsistencies and raised their concerns. I add mine.
I applaud this comment. I am 1000% not attributing what I am about to say to anyone on this comments board today. Here goes. Be cautious in talking up these causes folks. There are many and more than you realize among us in these United States who want to sow dissension, disbelief in our institutions and hatred of others and hence chaos.. A friend of mine as part of his occupation has studied propaganda in America. It is here and has been here. We are easily fooled and swayed by running to one cause and then another. Stay focused on preserving Democracy. Stay focused on the 2022 elections.
I wholly agree Barbara that 2022 looms enormous! I feel stymied way out and up here in Washington. After the victories of Ossoff and Warnock I feel it vitally necessary to augment the skin on my teeth so I've arranged to travel with my brother to Fulton County in November to timely bring food and water to those in need. Being somewhat feisty but in the last year of my eighth decade, I may not hold up well to the complications I may provoke from the vigilante election officials. But I am certain that if trouble finds me, at the very least it shall be good trouble.
I believe Georgia wrote into their draconian voter suppression "laws" that it is considered against the law to give food and water to voters in line. I might be wrong though. Just check on it would you?
It might be effective to have a system of open primaries and ranked choice voting. It would increase voter participation and decrease the party hegemony.
It's being tried in some local elections and, I believe, in one state for state elections. It has been very successful in Ireland and some other places. But for us, right now, it is something that Congress should take up while looking at fixing voting for national offices. And for us, here, right now, it would be a distraction away from the critical work of preparing for and building up awareness of the upcoming midterms and the Nov 2024. We can't afford that.
Cathy, might be good for you to go back and read the reasoning and conditions behind John Adams comment. Shall we return to a bunch of people running independently, with the top vote getter becoming President and the second becoming vice-president. At the time the founders were cycling the offices among themselves. Jefferson (an odd man in many ways) broke that when he figured out how to manipulate the system in his favor. There were factions before, but that likely was when parties began, so that voters could join together to promote their choice of candidates and causes. Remember also that those votes were not cast by "All the People", but basically by more or less self-selected representatives of the people. "People" did not include women, most colored men, or, in many places, men who did not own land. There were many parties, not just two, in the beginning. The same is true now, and both major parties are actually coalitions of people who share enough values and goals in common to work together. What we're seeing now is yet another shift in those coalitions, esp on the side currently known as "Republican", whose factions are breaking apart. The chaos is significant. And it may disintegrate. But our of the chaos may emerge other ways of organizing around conservative principles. Or some splintering may occur, with a central party emerging that pushes the extreme right wing into irrelevance. Some signs of that possibility.
To be honest, I am not sure what your point really is in your post. At one point you say "celebrate the Constitution", but the "solutions" you propose (some of which do not even make sense) would require us to throw the Constitution away.
I hope that some of the people who "liked" what you wrote reread it and rethink what they are actually "liking". Several commenters noted the inconsistencies and raised their concerns. I add mine.
I applaud this comment. I am 1000% not attributing what I am about to say to anyone on this comments board today. Here goes. Be cautious in talking up these causes folks. There are many and more than you realize among us in these United States who want to sow dissension, disbelief in our institutions and hatred of others and hence chaos.. A friend of mine as part of his occupation has studied propaganda in America. It is here and has been here. We are easily fooled and swayed by running to one cause and then another. Stay focused on preserving Democracy. Stay focused on the 2022 elections.
I wholly agree Barbara that 2022 looms enormous! I feel stymied way out and up here in Washington. After the victories of Ossoff and Warnock I feel it vitally necessary to augment the skin on my teeth so I've arranged to travel with my brother to Fulton County in November to timely bring food and water to those in need. Being somewhat feisty but in the last year of my eighth decade, I may not hold up well to the complications I may provoke from the vigilante election officials. But I am certain that if trouble finds me, at the very least it shall be good trouble.
I believe Georgia wrote into their draconian voter suppression "laws" that it is considered against the law to give food and water to voters in line. I might be wrong though. Just check on it would you?
You are definitely speaking for me. ThankYou and Thank your friend.
It might be effective to have a system of open primaries and ranked choice voting. It would increase voter participation and decrease the party hegemony.
It's being tried in some local elections and, I believe, in one state for state elections. It has been very successful in Ireland and some other places. But for us, right now, it is something that Congress should take up while looking at fixing voting for national offices. And for us, here, right now, it would be a distraction away from the critical work of preparing for and building up awareness of the upcoming midterms and the Nov 2024. We can't afford that.