Political Parties

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Apologies if this is a UK-only thread.

In the United States, our political parties are basically giant funnels for campaign donations. All you have to do is support A, B and C. This leads to considerable contradiction in the same party platform. For example, some Republicans are known for supporting less government in the social lives of citizens while others want to create laws based on "Christian values" (banning abortion, creation of a national or state school prayer, etc.). The differences are great enough to scramble the Republican voting base, but not separate from the party itself because many of the donors would be lost.

Political parties themselves are not the main problem in the USA - businesses are. In my mind, we are a corporatocracy. Every substantial donation made to a political party or candidate is from a businessman who wants his interests looked after. Money talks loudly in the states, and it dictates whether we increase offshore drilling or fund green energy initiatives. Social issues are bandied about to piss off the lower class (the middle class here is fast becoming a myth), the media spews it forth like a busted water pipe and no one really pays attention to the truly important issues. Saving a billion dollars or two when the deficit is $15 trillion is splitting hairs.

American political parties are cabals for the rich, and they work hard to make sure no new parties rise up. Some states have arcane election laws where a third-party candidate has to get X thousand signatures on a petition or a certain amount of votes on one ballot to be included on the next. And, these parties don't get meaningful donations because businesses would rather go with the devil they've paid off.

In short, the real vote is between a red tie and a blue tie. I've heard similar sentiment amongst UK voters, so I guess we aren't too different after all...

Very well explained

US politics also heavily reliant on propaganda too, from mainstream media. I.e. Fox. Bill O'Reilly is a real c*nt isn't he?

[LDN Blue 7,903]

There's been alot of heated up discussion about many political parties on this site and I was just wondering who everyone supports. Although Im 15 and cannot vote for another 3 years I am in support of BNP because there policies are what Britian needs. I no there will be alot of you that disagree but thats my opinion. So who do you support and why?

Glad you've seen the error of your ways now WHS.. (Right? :unsure: )

[We Hate Scouse 10,286]

Glad you've seen the error of your ways now WHS.. (Right? :unsure: )

Right indeed! I'm a totally different persons now.

[Blue In Green 86]

Very well explained

US politics also heavily reliant on propaganda too, from mainstream media. I.e. Fox. Bill O'Reilly is a real c*nt isn't he?

It's complicated. Cable channels go with what gets them the most ad revenue. Glenn Beck is leaving his Fox News show later this year. He gets extremely high ratings, but various businesses will not run ads during his time slot. Personally, I think he was forced out - Fox wants to be conservative, not controversial. They would've hired Rush Limbaugh a long time ago if it were about ratings only.

[dave30 728]

Right indeed! I'm a totally different persons now.

who would you vote for now then mate ?

[We Hate Scouse 10,286]

who would you vote for now then mate ?

Tories or UKIP

[dave30 728]

Tories or UKIP

ow ok , yer i would probably agree if the Environment wasnt a problem . i think those two are the parties who are most likely to try to preserve Great British Culture and identity .

[LDN Blue 7,903]

It's complicated. Cable channels go with what gets them the most ad revenue. Glenn Beck is leaving his Fox News show later this year. He gets extremely high ratings, but various businesses will not run ads during his time slot. Personally, I think he was forced out - Fox wants to be conservative, not controversial. They would've hired Rush Limbaugh a long time ago if it were about ratings only.

To quote Lupe Fiasco "Limbaugh is a racist, Glenn Beck is a racist"

Don't see how Fox can be conservatives when they're owned by the lowlife known as Rupert Murdoch. O'Reilly is no doubt, a giant twat. What he does in interviews is not hold informative interviews, he just bullies his opponents. Disgraceful man.

I recommend you watch Outfoxed, a good documentary with former employees whistleblowing.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6737097743434902428#

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I'm a left-of-centre liberal. Guardian reader and one-time Lib Dem voter... though that went tits up.

[dave30 728]

I'm a left-of-centre liberal. Guardian reader one-time Lib Dem voter

in other words a Muppet lol . Only joking i know im young and i dont know to much on Politics but dont you as a lib dem ( or former lib dem voter ) respect nick clegg for at least giving you a taste of power that you otherwise would probably never achieved without the coalition ?

[kwylino 329]

No party at all. i probably will Never vote. all them be destined for doom anyways. Or shit.

[Kieran. 6,317]

BNP.

In all seriousness, I'm a progressive democrat.

[Fulham Broadway 16,845]

Apologies if this is a UK-only thread.

In the United States, our political parties are basically giant funnels for campaign donations. All you have to do is support A, B and C. This leads to considerable contradiction in the same party platform. For example, some Republicans are known for supporting less government in the social lives of citizens while others want to create laws based on "Christian values" (banning abortion, creation of a national or state school prayer, etc.). The differences are great enough to scramble the Republican voting base, but not separate from the party itself because many of the donors would be lost.

Political parties themselves are not the main problem in the USA - businesses are. In my mind, we are a corporatocracy. Every substantial donation made to a political party or candidate is from a businessman who wants his interests looked after. Money talks loudly in the states, and it dictates whether we increase offshore drilling or fund green energy initiatives. Social issues are bandied about to piss off the lower class (the middle class here is fast becoming a myth), the media spews it forth like a busted water pipe and no one really pays attention to the truly important issues. Saving a billion dollars or two when the deficit is $15 trillion is splitting hairs.

American political parties are cabals for the rich, and they work hard to make sure no new parties rise up. Some states have arcane election laws where a third-party candidate has to get X thousand signatures on a petition or a certain amount of votes on one ballot to be included on the next. And, these parties don't get meaningful donations because businesses would rather go with the devil they've paid off.

In short, the real vote is between a red tie and a blue tie. I've heard similar sentiment amongst UK voters, so I guess we aren't too different after all...

Thanks for the US analysis there Blue in Green. It is morally wrong that ''democratic''decisions are decided by politicains acting on behalf of big business through lobbying. At least in the US the lobbying is open to scrutiny -here its not technically allowed -so it goes on but is hidden.

There is no democracy here or in the US, just a veneer of it, to fool us to my way of thinking, and its the ordinary people who suffer whilst the rich get richer. The rich sumbit an illusion to the voters every four or five years Republican or Democrat ? Tory or Labour ? ooooh such a choice!! Reality is it makes not the slightest bit of difference, but allows the hierarchical rich to stay in place.

''If Shit was valuable, they'd make sure the poor were born without assholes'' (old US slogan)

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I'm a left-of-centre liberal. Guardian reader one-time Lib Dem voter

in other words a Muppet lol . Only joking i know im young and i dont know to much on Politics but dont you as a lib dem ( or former lib dem voter ) respect nick clegg for at least giving you a taste of power that you otherwise would probably never achieved without the coalition ?

I'm only 18 myself! I'd have respected Clegg more if a few more of his policies had come to fruition, but the entire general election made a mockery of our political system! I still genuinely believe if the LibDems had have achieved a majority we'd be in a better economic stance at the moment - though the main reason for my support was in terms of university tuition fees not being raised. I don't particularly loathe Clegg or think he's a backstabber or anything along those lines, I just think a coalition government was the last thing we needed in a period of relative austerity.

[Fulham Broadway 16,845]

Millions fell for Clegg during the first ever head to head live debates between the three party leaders.

His looking directly down the camera lens antics with the Hughie Green''I mean that most sincerely folks'' (Zolayes will know what I mean by that), only to be let down by another Blair type actor/liar.

Polls have shown there had never been a most loathed politician in the UK with his U turn on Education fees

[termninja 5,290]

I support...

Al Qaeda

Screw politics, live the life!

[Tomo 21,733]

TORIES ARE CUNTS, ENOUGH SAID

[kwylino 329]

Whole goverment is cunts Nuf said to add on