Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?
This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.
Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.
Jump in the discussion.
No email address required.
Notes -
US politics has basically institutionallized the two party system. It's not a single big law but a whole lot of little laws, well some big, that make starting a competitive third party basically impossible. Whenever a third party presidential candidate makes an impact states tighten ballot access.
To counter act this, party primaries are more open than in other countries.
California has been moving to "jungle primaries" where voters get to choose between the top vote getters in the primary so election day isn't just a D blowout.
I think there's a big downside to that system. Factions within caucus aren't clear from the outside, so if you think that representatives aren't doing a statisfactory job it's not clear who you should vote against. Politicians like that aspect of the current system.
To make an impact you need local activism and involvement. If you start up any group realize that people will try to hijack it.
https://status451.com/2017/11/11/radical-book-club-what-righties-can-do/
Or, the simpler solution is just to set up approval voting. No need for a jungle primary.
Furthermore, the influence of local activism is really understated. The simple fact is that a lot of political movements depend on a certain "critical mass" being reached in the grassroots before it can go mainstream. Intuitively, this seems to suggest that US politics is not in fact near a breaking point in terms of people sick of the system, despite what the media might have you think.
More options
Context Copy link
More options
Context Copy link