Political parties in USA / concussion

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Obfleur
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Political parties in USA / concussion

Post by Obfleur » Thu Sep 21, 2006 5:07 pm

Hey dudes and gals.

I threw my face at a window last saturday, so now I have a concussion.
So: minimal posting for me until I feel healthy again.

But I've promised to help my girlfriend with a thing for her school, and it's about political parties in USA.

Everyone knows about the republicans and the democrats - but what other parties are there?

Which one of the "others" is considered to be the biggest (most popular)?

And how do these other parties fund their... hm, what's it called... "hey-lets-go-around-and-kiss-babys-and-fish-for-votes-thingy". I hope you understand what I mean.
EDIT: campaigning! Thanks Best First :)

Just give me as much information about this as you like - and feel free to discuss ;)

Cheers :)
Last edited by Obfleur on Thu Sep 21, 2006 6:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by Kaylee » Thu Sep 21, 2006 5:13 pm

Poor Obfleur- you rest up and take it easy. And try not to go headbutting glass for a while ;)

No help on US political parties I'm afraid.
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Best First
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Post by Best First » Thu Sep 21, 2006 5:34 pm

the thing you mean is campaigning - as i understand its all funded by donations.

the US is essentially a two party system, meaning anyone outside of this is considered a 'third party', rather than a third, fourth or fifth party, as i understand it.

The most prominant third partyists in recent years were Ross Perot Reform Party) and Ralph Nader (Populist party) who some democrats blame (as the defenders of democracy that they are) for diverting votes away from themselves meaning Bush got in. Altho different Bush's.

As i understand it anwyay.

Lost of good stuff here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_part ... _States%29

Hope you feel better dude.
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Post by Shanti418 » Thu Sep 21, 2006 5:47 pm

Yay, I'm useful!

I would probably say the largest third parties in the US are the Libretarians on the right, and the Green Party on the left.

Those two are probably the biggest. Another one is the Reform Party, which was founded by Ross Perot in 1992, the most successful third party presidential run in recent history, and got a Governror elected a few years ago (Jesse Ventura) although they've declined in populatiry and stature since.

I'm not exactly sure how they fun their campaign, but I do know this:

Most campaign money for the main parties comes from large corporate contributions, or large contributions by people who happen to work for large corporations.

Additionally, if you get on the ballot, you may qualify for a small stipend towards campaigning.

Additionally, if you captured a certain percentage in the last election, you can also quality for an even larger stipend.

Aside from that, most of the contributions are just people. Some with more money than others.

But the lack of funding and thus lack of advertising/space in the collective conciousness is what does most 3rd party candidates in. That's why Ross Perot in the Reform Party was so successful: He's a billionaire.

EDIT: Here's a more comprehensive list of all third parties.
Best First wrote:I thought we could just meander between making well thought out points, being needlessly immature, provocative and generalist, then veer into caring about constructive debate and make a few valid points, act civil for a bit, then lower the tone again, then act offended when we get called on it, then dictate what it is and isn't worth debating, reinterpret a few of my own posts through a less offensive lens, then jaunt down whatever other path our seemingly volatile mood took us in.
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Post by Aaron Hong » Fri Sep 22, 2006 6:19 am

My brother walked into a glass door once - it didn't shatter or anything, and he got away with just ONE scar.
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Post by Impactor returns 2.0 » Fri Sep 22, 2006 12:14 pm

I never understand why such huge donations are allowed at voting time in the US - the chances of them essentially being backhanders to get a law changed are huge...
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Post by Shanti418 » Fri Sep 22, 2006 12:23 pm

Impactor returns 2.0 wrote:I never understand why such huge donations are allowed at voting time in the US - the chances of them essentially being backhanders to get a law changed are huge...
Oh yeah, those kind of occurances are basically status quo. In our game of natinoal paper rock scisscors, Capitalism beats Government.
Best First wrote:I thought we could just meander between making well thought out points, being needlessly immature, provocative and generalist, then veer into caring about constructive debate and make a few valid points, act civil for a bit, then lower the tone again, then act offended when we get called on it, then dictate what it is and isn't worth debating, reinterpret a few of my own posts through a less offensive lens, then jaunt down whatever other path our seemingly volatile mood took us in.
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Post by Guest » Fri Sep 22, 2006 6:08 pm

Shanti418 wrote:In our game of natinoal paper rock scisscors, Capitalism beats Government.
That's because Capitalism is a big, heavy rock that can blunt the Government scissors and tear through the paper of Enlightenment.


But, in the US, isn't it Supercapitalism that wears the trousers?


WHILE everywhere else, all it does is dominate illuminated manuscripts and some newspaper articles...
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Post by Shanti418 » Fri Sep 22, 2006 8:49 pm

Well, it's Supercapitalism in that no one can stop it. Unless you have Kryptonite.



But Supercapitalism sells us the trousers for $20, pay the worker 10 cents, and walks around in platinum and diamond boxer briefs.
Best First wrote:I thought we could just meander between making well thought out points, being needlessly immature, provocative and generalist, then veer into caring about constructive debate and make a few valid points, act civil for a bit, then lower the tone again, then act offended when we get called on it, then dictate what it is and isn't worth debating, reinterpret a few of my own posts through a less offensive lens, then jaunt down whatever other path our seemingly volatile mood took us in.
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Post by Obfleur » Mon Sep 25, 2006 10:44 am

I'm back! ...I think.

Thanks for everything guys :)
Can't believe I'm still here.
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Post by Best First » Mon Sep 25, 2006 12:53 pm

hoep you feel better Tampon boy.

That's your real name by the way, anyone who tells you anything else is a liar taking advantage of your concusion. Insist on being called this.
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