ardee etal - I registered and voted Peace and Freedom
for years because the other choices boiled down to
voting for the lesser of two evils.

Our system of government, the Presidential system is
a failed system - case in point, when tried by other
nations it’s led to disaster and been dumped.  It’s
not a matter of Left or Right at this point, we’ve
finally reached the point where only a severe
updating, or maybe a complete discarding of our
system of government is the only practical course
left to us.  (Remember, Jefferson gave it 30 years.)

Finally, the Presidential system naturally evolves
into what is so wrong with our government today.  The
Legislative and Executive Branches are functioning as
the system set them up to function - to the
ridiculous point of being blameless rats.

The Liberal Democratic Party of the United States will do what the Democratic Party failed to do http://bit.ly/cmtnLP

To all the disgruntled, what-difference-does-it-make leftists who have posted here:

Let’s get down to basics.  Politicians are people, too (I know it doesn’t always seem so).  You want to keep your job.  They want to keep theirs.  This is a good thing.  It makes them predictable (not to mention responsive, as our founders intended).

So why are you surprised when Obama and the Democrats move to the right?  That’s where the pressure is coming from.  That’s who’s making all the noise. They’re responding to that.

Maybe they would move to the left if they heard some noise being made over here, if they had any reason to think that if they did so, someone would have their backs.  But they know better.  People who do nothing but leave witty comments on liberal-leaning websites are not who you want to count on in a crunch. 

Oh, we’re very smart, but what a waste of an education.  I think our slogan should be:

The American Left:  Whining, Unorganized Couch Potatos Since 1972.

felicity, October 29 at 8:35 pm

Please do not hijack the issue, or sidetrack it to your own purpose. The debate is whether one should participate in our democracy, commonly though not exclusively by means of the vote , and your statement that neither GOP or Democrat is worthy of said vote is a moot point understood by me and not at all the issue.

Too many posts advocate turning ones back on the duties and obligations required of all citizens of a democracy, thus making our democracy into something else. When you refuse to understand or honor your commitment to your own nation you actually vote for the continued corporate control of this country.

Voting does not mean voting one of the duopoly candidates, thought this elemental fact seems to escape you, or do you just evade that point in order to convince people to absent themselves precisely because you support fascism? I work to register Green Party members, and to make people aware of their choices. You refuse to see the other names on that ballot, and that is a personal failing I would say.

Who, exactly, is zoomin’ who?

Gerard,

>It is apparent here and now that the most significant difference between Americans as typical
liberals and typical conservatives is the latter’s lack of a sense of humor, particularly regarding themselves.

I like Stewart and defended him here in his interview of Obama just recently. That said, I found the so-called “Rally for Sanity” to be embarrassing beyond belief.

It may be partially true that the difference between the collaborators at Vichy and the conservatives in Berlin relates to their so-called sense of humor, but even if that were true—and it isn’t—it only underscores the case that Chris Hedges and others have made.

Colbert’s branding is even more prepubescent and juvenile in tone than Jon Stewart’s, though that’s fine in a TV show. But try selling that to the victims of policies emerging from America.

The difference between real laughter and a giggle is substantial, but all that Colbert and Stewart (and Arianna, et al) offered today was a preaching to the choir, and a particularly cloying form of it as well.

Perhaps if white phosphorus were dropped over this rally (as it was on Gaza) or if everyone who attended was told that would lose their jobs tomorrow and never again be able to find any work (or income), they would have had to choose between a nervous and compulsive giggle or something approaching gravitas.

Americans, however, are far too stupid and culpable for gravitas. Theirs is to choose between the fear of Fox News and the juvenile giggle of Colbert.

We all know how it’ll end.

“Good luck trying to top all of that” says Mr. Robinson, in closing his piece. Like a lot of other “serious” people, he doesn’t seem to “get” humor.

The main purpose of the rally for sanity is to “make light of” that terrifying right-wing sanctimonious darkness that easily leads to blood in the streets.

Quite possibly, if Hitler had had a sense of humor, he would have immediately recognized the idea of his “final solution” as murderous madness. Now it’s the government of Israel!

It is apparent here and now that the most significant difference between Americans as typical
liberals and typical conservatives is the latter’s lack of a sense of humor, particularly regarding themselves.

God help us if, as a nation, we ever lose our sense of humor and happen to vote in a government that is uniformly and deadly serious. Thanks to Colbert and Stewart for awakening us.

Stupidity without power is hilarious - when the American people are stupid enough to give them credence and allow them to influence the state of affairs- that is terrifying.

Good Lord!! Normally, 98% of congress members are re-elected.  This year they are talking about ONLY 90% being re-elected.  So, will much change happen?  I don’t think so.

TIME even had an article on possible civil war coming if things don’t get better (both pol. parties). If so, you’ll need to read a book out that’s about Americans coming together cause of continual foreign wars, high taxes, taxation without representation. It’s a great read.
http://www.booksbyoliver.com

To ardee, and anyone else whom the shoe fits -
Members of the House and members of the Senate are
working for themselves.  They’re engaged in a
veritable rat race to sweep up as many bucks as
possible from the fat cats. But, alas, the only the
trouble with a rat race is even if you win, you’re
still a rat.

Somebody said, the only difference between
Republicans and Democrats is that the Democrats screw
you nicely.  I’ll go along with that.

joe, October 29 at 3:50 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

ardee- would you rather have someone trying to regulate “unscrupulous and greedy corporations” or the people who tell you up front that they will deregulate them more.

The nuanced answer is that democrats lie about even “trying”.

would you rather have someone who is trying to end the “endless war for endless profit” or the people who started it and want to continue it because of islamaphobia.  You are correct things are not perfect or great or even good, and you should be angry, but being angry at democrats(and this country in general) does not mean that the republicans or tea party are a better choice.

So, you have bought into the lies of the democrats and refuse to see that these last two years of war greatly resemble Bushs’ years thereof. A dead person is just as dead whether a democratic regime or a republican one caused that death.

Where on earth do you read an opinion from me that says republicans or tea partiers are a better choice than democrats? What I thought I made clear was that they are the same damn choice. If these last two years havent proven that to you then I fail to see what will.

To you, and to Felicity and her infatuation with straw , I say, bah. I will vote Green ,again, and this nation, which survived Reagan, Clinton, Bush and now Obama, will muddle through somehow. Sadly many will die world wide and greed will go unchecked whether the Elephant or Jackass rules ( ruling, of course, in proxy for the wealthiest who really rule).

Cute, Eugene.

But couldn’t your OWN game as well be entitled:

“A Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear.”

Here, of course, I am referencing your pro-Obama journalistic bias as an apologist for Vichy, for the “lesser of two evils,” for the ever-lurking boogieman of fear.

The Tea party nutcases will not likely win anything next Tuesday.  O’Donnell, Miller, the Nazi guy, are all losing heartily and Angle is on the ropes.

So, it is really better not to even bother discussing the Tea Party as they will go off into the sunset.

I think the existence of the Tea Party is good for America.  Wouldn’t it be nice if instead of Tea Partiers, angry rightists, we had Nader and all the angry progressives on the news making real waves, not stupid ones.

Comedy? you want to see true comedy?

Go look at what the Democratic party establishment has been doing to undermine their own party’s nominee for the Senate seat in Florida!

And it’s a pattern for our Dems.. the voice of the people means NADA .. anything for an incumbent.. Even Big Bill himself (who I truly like, always have but have come to distrust) was brought in to bend some arms and seal some deals.. but it flopped! maybe even backfired big time.

Yeah, the Rethuglicans and the Tea Party people are odious! increasingly, the Democrats also make me queasy.

Adios!

Your straw man is showing, ardee.

And this little gem from Meg Whitless recently hit
our (California) TV screens, I paraphrase:  It’s time
to return California to what it was 30 years ago. 
Good thinking, Whitless.  Jerry Brown was governor 30
years ago. 

It’s not politically correct to call anyone stupid
these days, but the one over-riding characteristic of
this recent crop of candidates is their well-
cultivated stupidity.

Could it be that its time for 300 million Americans to vote in REAL comedians
rather than part time ones?

  Is worth a try non?

This is all American everyday kitchen table stuff. I once was invited to a meeting where there was a man channeling Merlin, it reminds me of a visit to an Evangelic Christian Church one Sunday. Then there are the everyday parade of average American characters seen on shows like Oprah and Jerry Springer, you know the middle aged guys in diapers with a popsicle in their mouth wanting mommie etc. Have you ever watched WWF wrestling (one became a Governor) or any of these Rap artists with their weird hand gestures (some sort of genetic disorder probably), gold teeth, bling and rapping on like some homeless person with a mental disorder, they make millions. Heck the Governor of California is best know a cyborg, an exoskeleton of flesh over metal alloy.
It’s why the rest of the world finds the US an endless source of entertainment. They’ll miss us someday once we hit rock bottom as a crime infested poverty ridden third world country.

Well, folks, the election is about over. THANK GOD.
I think if I see one more deceptive commerical I’ll
scream.  A little humor to lighten the stress:

While walking down the street one day a Corrupt Senator was tragically hit by a car and died.

His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.

“Welcome to heaven,” says St. Peter. “Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we’re not sure what to do with you.”

“No problem, just let me in,” says the Senator.

“Well, I’d like to, but I have orders from the higher ups. What we’ll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity.”

“Really?, I’ve made up my mind. I want to be in heaven,” says the Senator.

“I’m sorry, but we have our rules.”

And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell.

The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him.

Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people.
They played a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and the finest champagne.

Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who is having a good time dancing and telling jokes.

They are all having such a good time that before the Senator realizes it, it is time to go.

Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises.

The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens in heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him, “Now it’s time to visit heaven…”

So, 24 hours passed with the Senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.

“Well, then, you’ve spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity.”

The Senator reflects for a minute, then he answers: “Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell.”

So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell…

Now the doors of the elevator open and he’s in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above

The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulders.

“I don’t understand,” stammers the Senator. “Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there’s just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?”

The devil smiles at him and says,

“Yesterday we were campaigning, Today, you voted..” 
Vote wisely on November 2, 2010

Humor is in the realm of personal opinion I guess. Mr. Robinson’s snarky piece begins with a lumping of Cobert and Stewart’s politics in with the antics of the Tea Party and its candidates then never returns to explain what the hell he was intending to say.

If it werent so damn serious I might note that the antics of the Democratic Party, to which this author gives full obeisance, tops anything from the mouths of the far and wacky right. Considering that Democrats are supposed to be living in this world yet are incapable of enunciating a position, passing legislation in support of said unspoken position, ending such all-American activities as torture ,rendition, offshoring of jobs, deregulation of unscrupulous and greedy corporations, endless war for endless profit I would ask one question of the author; why not look to your own front door first?