But I believe the best way to "take back the Republican party" is for a 3rd party candidate to a real threat. Maybe after 2 or 3 elections of losing because of the 3rd party candidate splitting the Republican votes, the Republicans will realize they should change some of the philosophies? My generation definitely leans for libertarian. The Republican party needs to shift that way if they want to remain relevant.
I disagree. A third party is needed. The idea that either party we have right now is reformable nationally is a pipe dream. We have two parties eating off the same plate of the corporate federal partnership, and we need to reconcile ourself to the fact that will not change until there is a viable alternative. When you stop listening to rhetoric and look at the outcome of the actions you will see very little difference with either party. Playing buy a set of rules that have been made for the sole purpose of facilitating and insuring the establishment is a sure way to keep getting the same undesirable results.
I don't disagree that it would be ideal, but I'm saying it will never happen in our lifetime. Don't confuse ideal/need with reality. As long as the media is in the democrat's pocket it will never ever happen. The American people are incapable of seeing beyond the two party system. Sorry but it's the truth.
This is kind of thinking that traps us. And they understand that. The media is beholden to corporate interests who have invested and hedged their bets, they undestood a long time ago that who the winners are is irrelevant, because no matter what side wins they still get what they want. It traps Americans into thinking that is their " guys win"'they win....but in reality we loose no matter who is elected . Until we break the cycle and create a new mold we have no chance. We need to look past the next election and start thinking a decade out.
Again, it's not a "kind of thinking", it's how it is. Yes it sucks, yes I want it to change too, and yes it is a trap...but it's also reality. Put any timetable on it that you want, if you think the American people who generally vote republican will all unite and actually vote for a 3rd party candidate with a libertarian platform (and wins the election) you are delusional. Look at what happened in the '92 election, that's been over 2 decades ago and we're still in the same boat. What is another decade going to do? The winner will either have a D or an R next to their name.
Like I said, my generation and younger generations are leaning more and more libertarian. Once all the old Republicans start to die off, we should see some type of shift.
I hope and pray this happens. The realist in me says that if/when it happens it will be through a revitalized republican party rather than a 3rd party.
I'd be fine with that. But it would take a 3rd party to really challenge the Republicans (or take away a large percentage of their votes) for them to really change.
But I reiterate back to what I said previously, this happened in 1992 with Ross Perot and it changed nothing within the establishment republican machine. It's been a full 2 decades since then and we are having the same conversation. As you said, at least now we have young people realizing that they can provide for themselves more/better than the government can provide for them, i.e. the libertarian movement. How it happens who knows, but history always seems to repeat itself. I guess in the end, I don't want to risk losing continuous presidential elections just to stick it to the republicans. I'd rather fix the republicans from within.
because that party lost steam after 1992, they couldn't keep up it will take several elections for it to happen
This is what I fear and (as you put it) makes me sad. We are definitely at a unique stage in this country. If you look back in history, we as a democracy (Republic if you want to be accurate), are already on bought time.
Bought time we have been on that since the candidates started to spend hundreds of millions to get elected for a job that pays under $500,000 a year.
The candidates don't matter, money is running this country, put whomever you want in office, and they will be bought and paid for before they take the oath. Watch Rand change his mind on views if he becomes the front runner. The issue is not the parties, it's money. If we do get a third party, money will corrupted them also. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I agree. I still vote, but mainly for the local crap. There are people in this country that have exactly what they want and will never let go of it. I think it would take more than votes to change this country.
Unless things change in a big way, I see this becoming a one party system in the next 20 years or so. It amazes me how clueless the average American has become. They have become increasingly disinterested in the welfare of our county, and openly campaign for ideals that are clearly out of step with the fundamental principal that this country was founded and thrived on.
