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Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 30th 2023 at 11:03:59 AM
There is a political center in the U.S.. We shouldn't ignore that. It's occupied by undecided folks, but it's also occupied by people who've bought into the propaganda that Democrats and Republicans are equally extreme. It is helpful to have some of those cross over the fence to take a side.
It doesn't help when people make a point of claiming extreme points of view on "both sides".
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As for Moscow Mitch and his buddies, they occupy a realm of extraordinary cynicism where they will do anything to remain in power no matter what political positions they must take. In this case, they know they're outnumbered by Democratic voters, so they pander to an extremist base while doing everything in their power to suppress Democratic voters, gerrymander, and otherwise cheat at the elections.
Edited by Fighteer on Aug 25th 2020 at 10:58:29 AM
"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"I'm not saying the Reps are planning to throw Trump under the bus, but they are creating an opportunity to do so and come out relatively unscathed should Trump lose. These people will gladly use Trump as long as he is useful, but don't think they will be loyal to him no matter what.
Hope shines brightest in the darkest times![]()
There was, a Georgia state rep I believe.
Generally you get a couple low-level crossovers/people who aren’t running for officer anymore (remember you can’t be expelled from a political party in the US), the big thing for democrats this year has been the prominence of the Republicans endorsing Biden.
“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ CyranI think freedom of association (you must be allowed to join or leave a group voluntarily) as provided by the First Amendment. Not explicitly stated in the amendment itself, but the Supreme Court ruled that freedom of speech necessitates freedom of association for the former to have much meaning (NAACP v. Alabama, 1958).
The damned queen and the relentless knight.It's certainly an odd situation. Someone with the most abhorrent of beliefs can run on a party's ticket. The party can disavow and try to fund a primary opponent, but if the monster wins, they get to keep on using that party's name.
One could argue though that this reveals the actual values of a party instead of what they say their values are in public.
This signature was thumped to preserve the dignity of the moderators.And if you get enough politicians and voters in a party to espouse a particular belief system, the party becomes about that belief system. The Democrats used to be pro-segregation and are now against. The Republicans used to be pro-business and are now pro-racism.
"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"All of them qualify as being agents of the government, so the question makes sense. The answer is no (I work for the state of New Jersey), that would be an infringement on their First Amendment rights, though there are rules in place for civil servants on what activities I can do in the role of civil servant so that the position doesn't becoming overly politicized.
The damned queen and the relentless knight.Uh, Republicans are still pro-business. That's why they fanatically oppose social programs and support deregulation.
Anyway, to answer the previous poster. Yes, political parties cannot expel their members. This is very much necessary in the US because we're a two-party system, if parties could kick people out then they'd be effectively disenfranchised. That isn't to say that there aren't ways to enforce compliance, there are. They're just more subtle.
"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang![]()
Right. Civil servants can do whatever they like as private citizens, but may not espouse any political party or take any sides in their official duties.
Yes, "pro business", which is why the Trump GOP is busy wrecking the economy for trade wars and such. If you said they are "pro mega-rich donors", then that has always been true, but the myth of being favorable to business in general is mere propaganda.
Edited by Fighteer on Aug 25th 2020 at 11:46:21 AM
"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"It might not make sense, but in my country, teachers and members of the military are constitutionally supposed to be politically neutral, so they are forbidden from joining political parties, which was why I asked that question. So apparently, this is something unique to my country.
Edited by minseok42 on Aug 26th 2020 at 12:47:55 AM
"Enshittification truly is how platforms die"-Cory DoctorowYes, "pro business", which is why the Trump GOP is busy wrecking the economy for trade wars and such. If you said they are "pro mega-rich donors", then that has always been true, but the myth of being favorable to business in general is mere propaganda.
You can be pro-business and bad for the economy, what businesses want is not the same thing as what the economy or society as a whole needs.
Republican policies are great for big business, which defacto makes them pro-business.
"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang

Mitch has effectively done to the national Republicans what he did to Kentucky's political machine by dismantling the opposition and discussion to pure Cult of Personality and patronage for absolute loyalty.
He either doesn't understand or doesn't care this is effectively killing his party, especially by rounding it around an idiot. I don't buy for a second they plan to throw Trump under the bus.
That is not their ideology as they cannot CONCEIVE of losing anymore.
Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.