For those who are tired of the duopoly controlling our nation with ruinous results, the debate this week for the Republican nomination for governor was bizarre but at least a refreshing change from the robotic, pre-written answers given by Republican and Democratic professionals. The Idaho debate organizers allowed two fringe candidates to appear with the Republican and Tea Party candidates: Harley Brown, a biker (in biker regalia) who declared that he is about as politically correct as a “turd in a punch bowl” and Walt Bayes, a guy so anti-government that he says that his wife drove for years without a license after they objected to the concept of an emissions test. Gov. Butch Otter and state Sen. Russ Fulcher were barely noticed in what followed. A clip is posted below.
We have been discussing the widespread unhappiness with the control of our nation and political system by the two parties. It often seems like the two parties are not even trying to respond to the vast majority of Americans who want change. The Democratic insiders have virtually pre-selected Hillary Clinton who remains unpopular with many over her support for the prior wars as well as virtual silence on civil liberties abuses. The alternative thus far is Joe Biden. So much for change. The Republican insiders are pushing Jeb Bush because the last Bush was such a roaring success.
The problem is that, despite the humorous moments in the Idaho debate, there remains no viable third party option. We are left with a biker who said God told him to run for president and an anti-government candidate with an alleged 16 children who promised to stay in power shutting down abortion until he is arrested or thrown out of office. Haley Brown felt compelled to add: “Don’t think I’m crazy, ’cause I’m not.” He complained that as a biker he is about as popular as a “playboy bunny” with police. So they laid it out plainly: “You have your choice, folks: A cowboy, a curmudgeon, a biker, or a normal guy. Take your pick.” Fulcher is apparently the normal guy.
Of course this is not much of a choice but that is the problem. There is never a choice for voters. The two parties continue to pick establishment candidates who will protect the status quo despite the fact that the public is disgusted with both parties. It is like the humorous picture of the line up showing two cops in uniform, a potted plant, a water cooler and the criminal suspect for identification. It is not real hard to tell which is pre-ordained as the correct answer. You can select A cowboy, a curmudgeon, a biker, or a normal guy. That pretty much wraps it up for the state of democracy in America.
As long as money runs politics a third party is going to have a hard road.
Never a dull moment in the primary season.
Was this the Normal Idaho People’s Party primary?
Thomas Friedman tried to get a centrist third party started in 2012. When Romney was nominated, it fizzled.
Sadly true Elaine.
The Supreme Court has made it more difficult for independent/third party candidates to launch campaigns that could compete against the campaigns of Democratic and Republican candidates after its rulings in Citizens United and McCutcheon. One needs lots of money to run for office on a national level..and also at the state level. I doubt most of the big money men and women who contribute to political candidates would contribute thousands or millions of dollars to the campaigns of Independent, Green Party, or other third party candidates.
Citizens United has empowered third parties.
Now anyone can publish a video or production in support of Libertarian candidates, without it being counted toward donation totals.
I love the idea of a strong third party. The part that worries me is that until that party gets strong enough, it acts as a vote splitter. I think it would have a shot if people greatly disliked the candidate who won their party’s nomination.
“A 3rd party will emerge. My ONLY fear is it is led by a demagogue”
Good Grief, I am agreeing with Spinelli again.
Andy
For all his nuttiness, the Biker candidate gushed and glowed with his endorsement of Gay marriage. And the Curmudgeon is actually a religious freak who, if questioned properly, would certainly support an Iranian style government here.
The debate moderators look so alarmed!
Suri, He was more eloquent than most politicians out there.
It’s always edifying and amusing to see how duopolists think a 3rd party will emerge from the extreme of their given party. And, that they assume a 3rd party will be led by a politician. The most likely scenario is a 3rd party will be a coalition of independent voters, people in the middle, attracting moderates from both parties. They will want common sense government, something neither party offers.
As opposed to two (likely) empty suits, I’d vote for the biker. “hey diddle-diddle right up the middle”…ya gotta’ just love the guy.
I’d love to see Bernie run, he would kick some butt in the debates.
Jeesh, they couldn’t come up with a clean cut moderate Libertarian?
What was obviously missing was a candidate from the “Rent’s Too Damn High” party, but then again it is Idaho. Seems Idaho is offering its citizens a choice between far right, extreme far right, uber far right, right wing nut job and tin hat conservative.
As long as the corrupt two arty system controls the election process, the debate process, the qualifying process and the gerrymandering process, US will be stuck with ‘in the hip pocket of big money and big corporation’ party structure.
Maybe a couple of third and fourth party challengers like Bernie Sanders and Rand Paul could shake things up. But sadly, the American people are truly to blame for alloying this system to continue in its present destructive form. Millions more hit the streets for the next iphone release than for election reform protest….
I thought the 2012 debates got pretty lively the last season with Rick Perry’s bumbling and Ron Paul’s “let them die” comments. Rand Paul, Cruz, and Perry may still liven things up on the repub side. And if Bush doesn’t run look for Paul Ryan to step up.
Debasing politics?? The duopoly debases our nation!
My neighbor down the street has a Bernie Sanders for pres lawn sign up already.
Amen, brother!! But, you are preachin to a small choir here. There are many duopolists, some are upfront about it. But, many are the “Yeah, but” variety. There has been no 3rd party emerge as of yet because the duopoly has the game rigged. Ralph Nader has spoken eloquently. And, mentioning Nader will probably evoke the Palovian duopoly response, “He gave us Bush in 2000.” A 3rd party will emerge. My ONLY fear is it is led by a demagogue. But, risk/reward says it is well worth the risk.
Yep. Debasing politics at its finest.