Here we are: it has now become irresponsible for any American to vote for our “major” candidates running for the presidency: one, an amoral narcissist felon who pines to rule over us; the other an enfeebled man stumbling through his late life vanity project. Each candidate surrounded by toadies enabling their self-delusion. It’s maddening and very scary. You have thrown a strong light on the underlying systemic causes of how this all came to be. Great piece, Tom.
I agree that even as Biden says he is for protecting democracy he isn't committed enough to let the party find a more vigorous candidate. And the Democratic party stands by because what the ballots have been printed,?
Replacing a candidate this late in the game poses practical and political problems, but the printing of ballots isn’t one of them. Both Biden and Trump are “presumptive” at this point, but neither is the endorsed candidate of his respective party. Until the conventions act, ballots aren’t printed.
Yes, to the much needed reforms going forward but the united efforts by both major parties to beat back the No Labels third party effort demonstrated it was an existential threat that speaks to the depth of resistance to changes in the status quo of the duopoly. Maybe the outcome of this year's presidential election will open the door for a more open electoral system but I wouldn't hold my breath.
It won’t happen until voters start making political reform a priority for state legislatures. Look at Minnesota - legislation made the state more hostile to third parties in the last session. You and I well know the challenges of third parties. Opening the political process to better candidates and better campaigns, though, would make even the two-party system more responsive .
Here we are: it has now become irresponsible for any American to vote for our “major” candidates running for the presidency: one, an amoral narcissist felon who pines to rule over us; the other an enfeebled man stumbling through his late life vanity project. Each candidate surrounded by toadies enabling their self-delusion. It’s maddening and very scary. You have thrown a strong light on the underlying systemic causes of how this all came to be. Great piece, Tom.
Great piece, Tom. Thanks for your continued efforts to help us all learn about what's really happening.
Wy Spano
Thanks, Wy. I appreciate the kinds words. Hope all is well with you
I agree that even as Biden says he is for protecting democracy he isn't committed enough to let the party find a more vigorous candidate. And the Democratic party stands by because what the ballots have been printed,?
Replacing a candidate this late in the game poses practical and political problems, but the printing of ballots isn’t one of them. Both Biden and Trump are “presumptive” at this point, but neither is the endorsed candidate of his respective party. Until the conventions act, ballots aren’t printed.
Thanks, Tom. In the current vernacular, “100%”.
Yes, to the much needed reforms going forward but the united efforts by both major parties to beat back the No Labels third party effort demonstrated it was an existential threat that speaks to the depth of resistance to changes in the status quo of the duopoly. Maybe the outcome of this year's presidential election will open the door for a more open electoral system but I wouldn't hold my breath.
It won’t happen until voters start making political reform a priority for state legislatures. Look at Minnesota - legislation made the state more hostile to third parties in the last session. You and I well know the challenges of third parties. Opening the political process to better candidates and better campaigns, though, would make even the two-party system more responsive .