Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 12:47:20 -0400
From: “Tom Glendinning”
Subject: Chatlist #5016 Al Cooke’s post
Al,
Thank you for your comments. And, no, I don’t consider you an idiot. I consider you a friend. I have enjoyed many fine conversations with you and appreciate your service in NCCES.
The survey is rather simple and it has a text block at the end for any explanation(s) that seem important.
The emergence of the Unaffiliated/Independent voter as a major registration choice indicates that more people are choosing to avoid a party, rather than join one. I am curious about their reasons. Independents must be thinking people or they would follow the herds.
I was taught that the president commands our respect and support. Every one contributes some benefit to society, even if we disagree with their politics or do not like their personality.
I once asked Governor Bob Scott why we did not have more political parties like France and Europe. He defended the two party system, likening European polictics to ordered chaos. I had spent a year in France and can be considered a Francophile. After thinking about his comments, I understood that adding other parties would open the door to a more wild and unpredictable electoral system and unholy alliances of parties, as well as an American Communist Party in the system. While I am sure that some liberals would welcome that change, I do not think including a party goal of which is the destruction of the US government is a good idea.
Nonetheless, two choices do limit the variety of opinions and solutions we are offered. We can also elect non-party candidates like Senator Bernie Sanders of VT (actually in the VT Progressive Party).
Tom Glendinning