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marvin
Guest
I rest my case. And for the record I did join the Republicans.
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Magster
Guest
As a registered Deomocrat, I wholeheartedly concur. I have also long been struggling with the question of whether to leave the party (or, more appropriately, face up to the fact that they have left me) or to hang in and hope they drop their immoral, anti-life, “if it feels good, do it,” and “whatever makes you happy” platform.
It has come down to where I no longer wish to be associated with a political group that values the pursuit of self-absorption over anything that promotes the decent values and morals of the country, especially the recognition that there is dignity to be found in all human life, from conception until natural death in accordance with God’s design, and that all human life deserves to be protected from unjust killing.
Instead, every day you hear another prominent Democrat slamming people with strong religious values, labeling them as “nuts” and “fanatics.” The whole mess would be laughable if only it weren’t so sad how blind the Democratic party has become to the cause of the party’s problems.
A strong two-party system is very desirable. Unfortunately, in this country’s politcal arena, the Democratic party has not only dropped the ball, but it refuses to make any attempt to recover the fumble and is, instead, running empty-handed toward the goal line that is self-destruction.
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Franze
Guest
I advice you voting democrats pro-life and if they aren´t republicans. we need two parties were pro-life. It´s necessary, for example Cassey, one question, when are there the elections?
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KathleenElsie
Guest
I have tried to get mor information on Mr. Casey and his stand as “pro-life.” The public information is not clear as to be anti-abortion.
Elections are generally in spring and fall. May and November in most cases.
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KathleenElsie
Guest
IMHO A third party can be a spoiler. In PA you can only vote inside your party in the primary. An election can go to the other-side if enough people vote “third party.” So it can be counter productive.
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vern_humphrey
Guest
Politicians never simply listen – they are driven. The way to drive them is to support those who favor what you favor and oppose those who don’t favor what you favor.
Start by actually joining they party. Carry the card, attend the local committee meetings. Work within the party – be a poll watcher, put out signs, hold office in the local committee. This makes you a valuable person to the incumbent.
Then find someone to replace the incumbent, and back him for the nomination. In many cases, there may be no primary – the nonimee is chosen by caucus. I know of one Republican Congessman who was opposed in the caucus, almost lost the nomination, and changed his policies as a result.
If nothing else works, support his opponent on the opposite side of the aisle.
In other words, PROVE by your actions that pro-choice, pro-gay marriage politicians can’t win.
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JKirkLVNV
Guest
vern humphrey:
But really, people are making a strong plea for the 2 party system. What would be wrong with multiple parties? Other democratic societies have them. Coalition building can sometimes be difficult, but can you imagine the power of 50 million Catholics refusing to throw their support to anyone who’s pro-choice (provided we can get all 50 million to vote their correctly-formed consciences
)?
Well, NOW you’ve made me question the whole thing!
But really, people are making a strong plea for the 2 party system. What would be wrong with multiple parties? Other democratic societies have them. Coalition building can sometimes be difficult, but can you imagine the power of 50 million Catholics refusing to throw their support to anyone who’s pro-choice (provided we can get all 50 million to vote their correctly-formed consciences
)?
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KathleenElsie
Guest
I guess we could look at the Canadian parties. If I am not mistaken they have more then two major parties and each is a spoiler for the others. This is how they got their “marrage” laws changed.Well, NOW you’ve made me question the whole thing!
But really, people are making a strong plea for the 2 party system. What would be wrong with multiple parties? Other democratic societies have them. Coalition building can sometimes be difficult, but can you imagine the power of 50 million Catholics refusing to throw their support to anyone who’s pro-choice (provided we can get all 50 million to vote their correctly-formed consciences
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vern_humphrey
Guest
Multiple parties don’t work in our system. The multi-party idea is called the “Jeffersonian model” and the two-party system is called the “Madisonian model.” The Jeffersonian model has never worked in America – and the reason is that we have separation of powers.
Those other democratic societies are parliamentary systems, without the separation of powers we have.
We don’t need multiple parties to do that – all we need to do is understand that nothing is more important that stopping the killing of a million plus innocent babies a year, and vote accordingly.Coalition building can sometimes be difficult, but can you imagine the power of 50 million Catholics refusing to throw their support to anyone who’s pro-choice (provided we can get all 50 million to vote their correctly-formed consciences
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marvin
Guest
Multi-party systems are almost always a mess. Look at most European countries. Too many opinions, too much talk, no results.
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vern_humphrey
Guest
And one reason for that is that small fringe groups become inflated in their importance when it comes to building a government. If youi’ve got 49% Conservatives in Parliament, and 49% Liberals, the 2% Whacko Fringe Party is suddenly critical to building a government.
Look at the inspiration for this thread – the Democratic Party. They are a party of many groups, and to hold together, they have to pander to the most radical groups.
Ask yourself how the Democratic Party got so far left? They did it by pulling in one fringe group after another to build a majority, but in the process had to adopt each fringe group’s cause.
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marvin
Guest
vern humphrey:
I’ve heard some people speculate that the Dems are finished and that the Libertarians will fill the gap. Thoughts anyone?
Exactly right. The modern Democrat party is the multi-party system in microcosm.
I’ve heard some people speculate that the Dems are finished and that the Libertarians will fill the gap. Thoughts anyone?
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vern_humphrey
Guest
Libertarians don’t like government – it’s hard to put together a party to take over the government if you don’t like government.http://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/icons/icon12.gif
I suspect what will happen is the Democratic party will shrink, with the radicals staying with the party. The more center-oriented people will be squeezed out and form their own group, which may eventually attract enough support to form a new party. That’s basically how the Whigs metamorphized into the Republicans.
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miguel
Guest
He had that good 'ole boy charm didn’t he. Who knows? If the Dems hadn’t manufactured votes in Chicago and Texas, a Nixon win in 1960 might have kept us out of Vietnam, or at least prevented it from turning into a quagmire. But what would America have been like without the hippies?
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Fitz
Guest
I left the Democrats after Bill Clinton’s escapades in the White House. I can’t believe I ever voted for him. I have registered as a Republican only to take a stand against the Democrats, but the truth is I would vote again for a Democrat if they were prolife and shared other important values that I have. I look back on my years as a Democrat and wonder if I ever really looked into any of the issues like I should have. I am ashamed of many of the voting choices I used to make.
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streetcar
Guest
Even though it was slightly before my time, I’d really love to see the democratic party go back to a centrist philosophy.
After reading/researching his presidency, I’d really like to see another Bill Clinton style president, sans-adultery. The guy was an awesome president.
After reading/researching his presidency, I’d really like to see another Bill Clinton style president, sans-adultery. The guy was an awesome president.
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vern_humphrey
Guest
A friend of mine, who is not politically active, volunteered to be County Coordinator for our current Republican candidate for Congress. He said, “It’s going to be tough – everyone I know is a Democrat.”
I said, “How many of them would vote for abortion?”
“Not many.”
“How many would vote for gay marriage?”
“Even less.”
“How many would vote for gun control?”
“None of them!”
“How about higher taxes?”
“Even suggesting that could get you lynched!”
“Your friends are Republicans – but no one has told them yet.”
Before doing that, come to Arkansas. The state is the poorest in the nation, having dropped a notch or two under Clinton as governor. Our education system is bad – and in some counties non-existant. We have a 22% adult illiteracy rate, and in some counties it approaches 50%.
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JKirkLVNV
Guest
Well now, if ya’ll are going to drag up “Slick Willie,” ya may as well bring up all the times we got hammered in college. No one is proud of that, either!!! 
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vern_humphrey
Guest
Very apt. In Arkansas, we still have the hangover.http://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/icons/icon12.gifWell now, if ya’ll are going to drag up “Slick Willie,” ya may as well bring up all the times we got hammered in college. No one is proud of that, either!!!
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Della
Guest
“What would America have been like without the hippies?” Blessed with reason, children, and decency?
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