How can we take back our nation if we can't take back our party?

CPT Jack Durish — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 12:23:47 -0400

Yes, I too am tired of the politics, but this question actually goes beyond politics. It's about living in a Republic without representation. More importantly (if you can imagine such a thing) it's about our oath, the one we all swore when we enlisted: "...to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic..." Well, if you're honest with yourself, you can see that the Constitution is being eroded and almost completely. I know there are many who see this as a good thing. After all, the Constitution, some argue, is antiquated and it's time to bury it. Sorry, I don't agree, and therein lies the problem. My disagreement no longer has representation. I can bemoan the state of affairs in weblogs and Internet discussions, but my voice is paltry and lost in the static of argument. And now, with the passage of the 2018 omnibus bill and the President's signature making it law, I must face facts: I have no representation in Washington nor in my state capitol, Sacramento. While Nancy Pelosi celebrates a budget passed by a GOP-dominated Congress and signed into law by a Ersatz Republican President, I mourn. I thought that there were some elected officials who represented my point of view, but obviously not many. And I had hoped that President Trump was more than "Not Hillary", but now I see he isn't. He's all "sound and fury...signifying nothing", not when it counts. Thus, I am now left with my question, "How can we take back our nation if we can't take back our party?"

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made Mar 24 at 2018 12:36 PM

MSG Stan Hutchison — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 12:36:01 -0400

Watched part of a good interview tis morning with Arnold Swartzeneggar. (sp). He highlighted how the extremes on both sides have taken control of both parties. I guess California has a large number of "independents."
I think we need to ask how can both sides take back their party. I suppose one way is to get actively involved in your local area. I now live in South Dakota, though raised mostly in central and northern California. Here there is basically one party, the GOP. We Dems try but never get very far. But, here is the point: we don't give up.

Not sure where we are headed as a nation, but I think (at least I hope) we will survive.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Mar 24 at 2018 12:55 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 12:55:35 -0400

Thankfully I'm not affiliated to any major party.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Mar 24 at 2018 1:23 PM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 13:23:07 -0400

It’s a tough issue. Especially in California where the extreme left runs the state. The sad part is that everyone I know is more in the middle of politics. Some lean left and some lean right, but we have more in common than we have differences. But no one represents the masses.

Response by Cpl Tom Surdi made Mar 24 at 2018 1:37 PM

Cpl Tom Surdi — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 13:37:49 -0400

I am right there with you Captain. Every day I feel more and more disenfranchised by my own Government. That it isn't my best interest or any other citizen's best interest they have in mind, but their own. I have come to believe that they only care about staying in power and profiting off that power for as long as they can. I no longer believe that our Government serves the people, but themselves and who helped them get elected.

I believe we can combat this by setting term limits for Congress and the Supreme Court. No more life long appointments or politicians sitting in positions for 40+ years. But that would require that our own politicians hold themselves accountable for their own actions, which I believe they are incapable of doing.

I also believe that we can combat this by setting extreme limits of the amount of money donors can give to people running for office. I also believe that lobbying should be illegal, as should gerrymandering.

So we have to stand up and demand it, and if enough of us demand it, sooner or later they will have to give in or be forced out of office.

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made Mar 24 at 2018 2:02 PM

MSG Stan Hutchison — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 14:02:33 -0400

I am seeing some interesting opinions here.
IMO, those of us in the middle must be willing to set aside some of our mistrust of the other side and stand up together.
I tried this back in '04 when I worked helping to form the Veterans Party of America. We could not succeed because at every meeting someone stood up and complained about "those damn commy liberals or those damn Nazi conservatives are destroying this nation. "

If we are not willing to have a discussion with the opposition, we will never succeed in making any changes in this great nation. Our founders had to do so. It is time for us to do so.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Mar 24 at 2018 2:04 PM

SPC Erich Guenther — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 14:04:49 -0400

I am actually very optimisitic. This is just a rough and tumble transformational period and I think once it is over we will have two parties that are stronger and more focused on the American People than special interests and much more focused on living within our means than expanding the National Debt. It's going to probably take 8 years of Trump to get us most of the way there but I think the President right after him will be the most Pivotal..........will he/she shift back to the old ways of massive corruption or will he/she complete the reformation? So that is the question in my view.

Response by COL John McClellan made Mar 24 at 2018 2:10 PM

COL John McClellan — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 14:10:29 -0400

I am concerned as well, CPT Jack! I actually think our Constitution is quite durable and holds up very well even after 200+ years. I see only a few phrases or clauses that are truly antiquated. Sadly, in this environment, no new ammendment on anything, seems likely. Our political discourse is very fractured, contentious, and uncivil. Our first-hand understanding of the democratic principles is serioysly degraded, replaced by too much misinformation.

Response by PO3 Grant Skiles made Mar 24 at 2018 2:16 PM

PO3 Grant Skiles — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 14:16:24 -0400

In Pennsylvania we just had the State Supreme Court draw new voting boundaries. The US Supreme Court would not hear the case. This is totally illegal. The only people who can draw up voting districts is the state legislature. We are in a free fall with politics. President Trump by signing the new Budget has made many individuals discussed and disbarred. We voted him into office to cut the budget, get the wall built, help Veterans and to make our military and trade strong world wide again. This budget does not do this.

Response by SCPO Morris Ramsey made Mar 24 at 2018 2:34 PM

SCPO Morris Ramsey — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 14:34:24 -0400

CPT Jack Durish This is a true conundrum. If you find the answer ping me.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 24 at 2018 3:07 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 15:07:02 -0400

It's to the point I would just as soon do away with all parties. You elect someone who seems to care and promises to work for you- the people, then 6months after drinking DC water they belong to the party body and soul. All of a sudden, their are no fresh ideas, no working for what is best for us, it's all the party line and the otherside is ignored because your party has the ONLY working solution,

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 24 at 2018 3:45 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 15:45:42 -0400

I see the legal, drug and Doctor lobbies in Congress keep insurance, drug prices and litigation screw over everyone except the 3 lobbies I just mentioned. Our President is trying to stop the opioid crisis at the same time rules are being made to stop law enforcement to do their job. The Death Penalty will never go to Executives of drug companies. I really did not address your question but I have two druggie, drunk and dropout 20 something stepdaughters in Canada that stress us out and Congress can't do enough the way the laws are written by ex DEA lawyers who go to work for the drug companies!!
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ex-dea-agent-opioid-crisis-fueled-by-drug-industry-and-congress/

Ex-DEA agent: Opioid crisis fueled by drug industry and Congress

Whistleblower Joe Rannazzisi says drug distributors pumped opioids into U.S. communities -- knowing that people were dying -- and says industry lobbyists and Congress derailed the DEA's efforts to stop it

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Mar 24 at 2018 4:04 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 16:04:01 -0400

I agree, I haven't affiliated with a Party in a decade. Neither represented my views and the choices were horrible.I don't see anyone on the ballot I could support in the upcoming election. I may be out of step but if I change I am no longer me.

Response by SP5 Mark Kuzinski made Mar 24 at 2018 4:34 PM

SP5 Mark Kuzinski — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 16:34:31 -0400

This swamp is so very deep I don't think it can be drained in my lifetime - Time to bring back the Tea Party.

Response by SSgt Gary Andrews made Mar 24 at 2018 6:28 PM

SSgt Gary Andrews — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 18:28:09 -0400

I would agree that both parties have been pulled to their respective extremes by the more radical members. Most of us gravitate toward the center, but centrist politicians are as rare as hens teeth these days. I don't know what the answer is....but I know it's not Trump.

Response by MSgt Steve Sweeney made Mar 24 at 2018 7:33 PM

MSgt Steve Sweeney — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 19:33:50 -0400

Why don't you start your own political party?

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 24 at 2018 9:43 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 21:43:34 -0400

First we need to realize George Washington's warning about faction to understand how the two party system has failed us. Secondly, we have to remove career politicians from our federal government using the Article V Convention of States with term limits being the primary agenda item.

Response by SMSgt Don Hemphill made Mar 24 at 2018 9:50 PM

SMSgt Don Hemphill — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 21:50:50 -0400

I see this as a multi-phase problem needing multiple solutions. Our system of government has been under attack almost since its inception. Particularly after the 'Progressive' movement of the early 1900s, an early attempt on our republic with socialism. The Soviets made their mark as well, infiltrating our corporations, academia, arts and entertainment, and yes even the government at all levels.
Our education system was the most vulnerable, and subject to the most corrosive changes to how each generation learns from the last. We have socialist and communist teachers and professors, and gullible students willing to follow them. Bad enough that our 'leaders' are selling us down the river, the current and next generations are likely to provide the canoes without paddles!

It will take a concerted effort by all Americans to right the ship. Write your representatives. Call them. Attend town halls. Voice your concerns. And when they don't respond, VOTE THEM OUT! We have a natural system of 'term limits'. We can change all of the House an a third of the Senate every 2 years. Let's do it. Don't leave anyone in place long enough to become entrenched and entitled. Socialism can be stopped, but we can't expect others to do it for us. We must be the change we seek.

Response by PO1 Gery Bastiani made Mar 24 at 2018 11:52 PM

PO1 Gery Bastiani — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 23:52:35 -0400

maybe a third party, not the green party or libertarian party

Response by PO1 Gery Bastiani made Mar 24 at 2018 11:59 PM

PO1 Gery Bastiani — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 23:59:35 -0400

well in 2020 vote the bum out

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made Mar 25 at 2018 3:59 PM

MSG Stan Hutchison — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 15:59:40 -0400

As I posted before, back in 2003-04 I was working to help in the formation of a new political party, the Veterans Party of America. (there are still some fragments of it still out there) Our major goal was the improvement of the VA and military, but also as a place for those disappointed with the 2 party system. It failed, and failed miserably.
I place this failure on 2 major reasons;
1. Leadership battles at the party's national level. No one knew what was going on at that level day to day.
2. Inability to recruit enough membership, which I believe was due to the majority being unable or unwilling to compromise with those of opposing ideology. I would guess, from my experience there was about 35-40% who wanted the party to be hard-corps conservative, right of the Libertarian party, and, perhaps 20-25% that wanted something just short of a socialist party. There were simply not enough people in the middle, those willing to compromise on some issues, to form a base for the party.

I, and most other recruiters I knew, dropped the whole thing.
We did not think the nation need another conservative or liberal party. We needed something actually in the middle. We still do.
Reading the responses on this thread, it looks like we will never see that "middle" party. So, we will struggle along, probably with the vehemence getting worse until the day may come we this nation falls apart. I certainly hope that day does not come.

Compromise, my friends! That is what our founders had to do to form this Union, that was what we failed to do in 1860, but that is what is absolutely essential today.

Response by LT Charles Baird made Mar 27 at 2018 9:26 AM

LT Charles Baird — Tue, 27 Mar 2018 09:26:18 -0400

why do we even need parties? - so people can feel they belong to something? - do away with the party system and vote for the person because of the person, not for the political affiliation they have.

As I told my wife years ago when I did vote "I do my best to vote for the lesser of two evils" - then after I said it I stopped voting because evil is just evil. It was like saying I'll vote for the sexual deviant over the serial killer (feel free to insert whosever names you wish in the statement).