The roll of republicans in modern American elections.

[asdjrocky]

Here's my take, the republicans job is to act so batshit crazy that we have no choice but to vote for a moderate or even conservative Democrat who just doesn't seem as crazy.

That way it's a win/win for our moderate/right government. If the republican wins, he/she gets to be batshit crazy, if the Democrat wins, he/she gets to be sensible.

Either way, we end up voting for the same policy and programs -or lack of- and we never see any real leftward advances.

More and more, it all seems like a show for the masses.

[saltpoint]

1. Power often can work that way, but the stage in U.S.

politics does have a lot of trapdoors that make the play interesting.

I admit to admiring the spiritual pilgrim who "goes to sit a mountain top in Tibet to work it all out" on a cosmic plane, to rip off a Paul Newman line in the film WUSA. I really do. If someone can dig that deep and show that level of discipline and dedication, I say more power to 'em, or rather, more absence-of-power to 'em.

At the same time I love the atmosphere at my local Democratic Party HQ in election cycles when a lot of progressive and true-hearted folks are running on the blue ticket against entrenched red Republican obstructionist jerks, and it's pretty similar in many districts across the country. I like the level of focus and the good energy, I like the disparaging comments about the Pukes, and somehow a late order of pizza or Chinese take-out tastes better when enjoyed with like-minded others.

I hate it, though, when the Democratic Party in say, Indiana, allows Richard Lugar to run unopposed. It wounds the chances for a progressive county commissioner or assemblywoman or local mayor to be elected.

Good morning, good person.

:hi:

[asdjrocky]

2. Hey old buddy!

I do have to say on a local level, I find true liberals, it just seems when they get beyond the county level, something happens to them.

Working it all out, indeed, I continue to try to do that, although we're in a valley here.

I have to say, the very best thing about the party I claimed membership to for more than 30 years is the good people this party has attracted. Present company included!

:hi:

[saltpoint]

3. And right back atcha on that one, you music-driven

devil you.

It would be in just such a party HQ pizza-ordering environment where the two of us might have first struck up a conversation, possibly about Edwards' pro-labor positions or, years ago, why Eugene McCarthy or Bobby Kennedy were speaking to us in a way that Humphrey was not.

That would have made an ordinarily good pizza a lot tastier.

You have a weekend worthy of your brains, balls, and talent, sir.

[SPedigrees]

4. role nt

[asdjrocky]

6. Spelling while still asleep. Doh!

Spelling while still asleep.

[deaniac21]

5. We need to get them off the payrole.