Political Parties and the U.S. Government – Democracy Requires More than One Voice

Image via WikipediaI have never believed that our government should be controlled by one party. In a democratic society, there is more than one school of thought that needs to be addressed, and many voices that need to be heard.

While I lean more centrist to conservative, I recognize the value of having a healthy mix of liberal ideas and plans in the rule of the country, side-by-side with a healthy mix of conservative ideas and plans. I believe having a good mix of both protects the people and ensures more is done for the ‘common good’ of the people as a whole than for party lines.

I have watched as the parties have changed over the years, primarily the Republican Party. There was a time when each of the two major parties had clear doctrines and clear stances. Now both have become a mish-mash of extremism and centralism, overlapping each other in some areas.

When it becomes more about getting votes than standing for something, the people suffer. When it becomes more about poll numbers than doing what is right for the people as a whole, the country suffers.

I am aware of a movement to return one party to its roots and get back on track. Though I do not agree with every statement made (especially when the other party is attacked), I do believe the overall concept is a good one. The movement is one to rebuild the Republican Party, and the link leads to the Facebook portal for it.

If you know of any other grassroots movements to rebuild, restructure, or otherwise change any of the U.S. political parties, please let me know and I will review and add them here.

Partying with American Political Parties

Image via Wikipedia Today's post is dedicated to the political parties of the United States of America, and voting.

The Directory of American Political Parties offers a listing of the political parties in the USA along with a brief description of each.

The Political Philosophy Quiz is by far the most accurate I have seen lately at revealing where a person stands in political philosophy. The quiz assesses responses to determine leanings in the conservative/liberal, pacifist/militarist, libertarian/authoritarian and capitalist/socialist spectrums. With the results comes a recommendation for political party based upon the results.

Now that you know about the various parties and which most closely fits your beliefs, it is time to register to vote.

Not sure how to register to vote? The Rock the Vote website can guide you through the process. Also, the Register to Vote site offers information related to registering to vote and how to make an informed decision before you vote.

Government 101: Types of Government Rule - Democracy, Republic, and more

Image via WikipediaDue to this year being an election year as well as the year the Olympics are in China, many aspects of government, freedom, and laws have been on my mind.

Like many, I have mistakenly referred to our government as a 'democracy', when in fact we are a 'republic'. I have also observed that many Americans do not understand the basics of our governmental structure - or what the President really does (i.e. his role, responsibilities, and limits in power).

Over the course of several posts, I will be covering these basic concepts for your benefit as well as my own. Educated and informed citizens are responsible citizens who know not only how to elect the best people, but know how to 'demand' the best from those in office.

Types of Government by Alverno College (Wisconsin)

Types of Government by Country

If there is any particular aspect of how our government is set up or how our electoral process works that you would like me to cover, please contact me.

Target on the Republicans

In the news today is the announcement that Senator Craig has decided to go against his word and NOT step down after pleading guilty to soliciting sex (a crime) in an airport (public) restroom (gross) from a person who turned out to be an undercover police officer.

Did this man learn nothing from George Michael?

This New York Times article has a media player in it which will allow you to hear the tape of Senator Craig as he is being arrested.

There is debate about whether he solicited sex or not. Apparently, there was some 'code' involved which is allegedly part of the gay culture and soliciting sex.

Did the Senator knowingly use code and solicit sex?
Did the Senator accidentally use various things which are sex solicitation code?

I don't know.

What I do know is that this man plead guilty and tried to take it back. A judge said he can't. He said he would step down, and now is taking that back.

He said he used poor judgment in entering a guilty plea.

What is going on with this man? He is showing a great deal of poor judgment, in more than just entering the guilty plea.

I don't pick up paper off public restroom floors. I don't put my feet anywhere near where they would touch the feet of the person in the next stall, and I do not place my hand under the stall divider or anywhere near the stall area of the person next to me unless they have asked me to pass them some toilet paper or I have asked that of them.

Toilet paper passing is not what happened.

So, what was the Senator doing with all his foot and hand stuff? I don't know, but it does seem like odd behavior to me.

Should he be convicted for odd behavior? Should he be 'forced' to step down due to odd behavior? Nope.

But the man pleaded guilty, did not get an attorney before doing so (why on earth not?) and decided to step down.

Now he wants to take back the guilty plea and not step down.

It's like the equivalent of a Republican Roller Coaster Ride and I am getting sick.

This kind of wishy washy bullpuckey is not something we need in the ranks of our leadership. I feel bad for the man. One writer labeled him as sounding 'pathetic' on the tape, and I must agree. He sounds pathetic and sad, and his behavior is pathetic and sad.

I am not usually one who believes politicians should resign over being human. If they are abusing their power, or breaking the law, then I do think they need to step down as there is a massive difference between making a human mistake and misusing their power or committing a crime (which is what breaking the law is).

In courtroom proceedings, people are sworn in. They swear to tell the truth. This man pleaded guilty. No legal counsel advised him to do this: he did it on his own. Perhaps he hoped the whole thing would go away.

The fact remains that in a court of law, he stated on public record he was guilty of soliciting sex in a public bathroom. That is a crime he stated he committed.

By his own mouth and his own 'counsel', he admits to committing a crime. By his own mouth he has said he would step down.

The man needs to step down. Whatever is going on with him, he probably needs some time and help; and this public scrutiny and scandal are not going to help him take care of whatever is going on.

He has been wishy washy, indecisive, and publicly admitted in a court of law he committed a crime. His behavior is weak, inefficient, and unreliable leadership at best.

He needs to go back to his original statement and resign. The public interest needs to come first; and as far as I am concerned, his behavior shows that he is simply not functioning, by any means, in the public's best interest.


Like what I wrote and want to buy me a cherry coke?

I'm Not Anti-Democrat: I'm Anti-Stupid-Person

I have posted recently a couple of blogs which mock some Democrats. To clear up any misunderstanding, let me again state I am NOT Anti-Democrat. I am an Equal Opportunity Mocker.

This really just makes me Anti-Stupid-Person.

Now, I could make a crack about the fact that just because a lot of Democrats fall into this category, it STILL doesn't mean I am Anti-Democrat. . . but, let's face it. . almost all politicians fall into that category, so really it just brings us back to me being Anti-Stupid-Person, again.

Probably because the Senate majority is Democratic, there is more media attention to their stupidity than to that of the Republicans. So, in the spirit of fairness, if YOU see any good articles about the stupid things the Repubs (or any other policitians)are doing, by all means forward them on to me.

Why should the Dems have all the fun on my blog?


heh heh heh


Like what I wrote and want to buy me a cherry coke?