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comment by OftenBen
OftenBen  ·  3285 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: George Packer: American Politics: Why The Thrill Is Gone

    There are other candidates.

I would be overjoyed to see a third party make it onto the presidential ballot.

    A populous that refuses to vote doesn't deserve one.

Isn't there a tacit agreement with governments actions by agreeing to use their system to choose leadership? By voting in a system that buys elections with money, aren't you endorsing the whole charade of it?





mk  ·  3285 days ago  ·  link  ·  

There are always other presidential candidates on the ballot.

    Isn't there a tacit agreement with governments actions by agreeing to use their system to choose leadership? By voting in a system that buys elections with money, aren't you endorsing the whole charade of it?

No. We have the ability to change this government with the vote, including how elections are run. All those elected were voted in. To not vote is an endorsement of a system without suffrage, unless you are revolting.

thenewgreen  ·  3285 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Huh. Today I learned that Ayn Rand has her own party and they're represented on the ballot... and I'm not talking about Paul Ryan.

OftenBen  ·  3285 days ago  ·  link  ·  

    We have the ability to change this government with the vote

I wish I shared that belief. It seems to be the core of our disagreement, at least as far as I can see.

mk  ·  3285 days ago  ·  link  ·  

It baffles me that so many have been convinced otherwise. It is as simple as enough people voting. Tumult happens. Things might seem static for quite some time, until they are not.

thenewgreen  ·  3285 days ago  ·  link  ·  

    I would be overjoyed to see a third party make it onto the presidential ballot.
-Serious question, upon seeing mk's proof that other parties do make it on to the presidential ballot, were you overjoyed?

It's a matter of marketing, which is a matter of money. But in todays day and age, an internet savvy third party candidate could make it. I would vote for mk. I think he should run.

OftenBen  ·  3285 days ago  ·  link  ·  

I guess I should have been more cynically specific. I would be overjoyed to see politically viable candidates on the ballot. Those candidates in the pic are not allowed to participate in debates with the candidates from the red and blue team. Having them on the paper pays lip service to the ideals that founded the country.

I'd vote for mk too.

mk  ·  3285 days ago  ·  link  ·  

But I couldn't debate Jeb or Hillary. :/

thenewgreen  ·  3285 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Of course you could! We would just mobilize social media to boycott the networks that wouldn't allow you to participate. Get reddit, twitter, fb all involved and they'd cave.

mk  ·  3285 days ago  ·  link  ·  

a thoughtful vote: mk 2016