How long do you think the current U.S. regime will last?

I'm giving the Yankee gub'mint 20 years, but I'm probably being a bit generous with that estimate.

As for whether it will result from economic collapse, class conflict, or race war, I'd have to say, "All of the above."

Well, when the US falls, Canada will fall too.....and I'll be sitting right in the fucking middle of oil country with all my goodies.

People will pay me to 'think' about taking my oil.

Do what? How is that different from First Past the Post?

I remember when the Democrats were diversified.

One of the rarest creatures on Earth is the rarely-seen Conservative Democrat. They're nearly extinct.

Ummm..... how do you think the Dems are coming back in the South and Mountain West?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Dog_Democrats

47.

Yeah, that's a whole bunch.

Wouldn't Bayh be called a conservative Democrat? He seems fiscally responsible at least.

There are somewhat conservative Democrats but what is rare is the one with the balls to openly break from the party leadership. The guy who got elected in our special house election talks like a conservative but once he goes to Washington, he just becomes one of Nancey's Flying Monkeys and his conservatism takes a back seat.

Even assuming garamet's (not at all unexpected) thesis that among Bush's 100,000 other evil deeds is his crushing of independence in the GOP is true, the same phenomena occurs on both sides of the aisle.

Take it for what it's worth but i remember reading Newt's book that he wrote after he left the house and in int he remarked that when the party jumper former-Democrats came to the GOP Caucus meetings they were stunned at how open the floor was for discussion and new ideas. They testified that Dem caucus meetings were simply a matter of you getting your marching orders and being told to stay in line.

Consider the source, of course, but the crushing of diversity within a party - either party - sure as hell didn't start in 2001.


Still, I wonder if the Democrats who like a good intellectual conservative dig Newt. Whatever his personal and personality failings, he's a VERY smart guy with very interesting ideas.

He's not the only one either, in fact....do the grok Thomas Sowell, for another example?

I haven't read that book, but what he says doesn't surprise me at all.

The sad thing is that even if you did get a third party president elected, you would get the Jesse Ventura effect. Both sides would undermine him because they would resent not having their guy in office.

Incorrect. The World AS WE KNOW IT ends in May/June of 2012.


Make sure you're in a good cash position for investment.

You're still an idiot.

The chance is zero. Full stop.

True. The choice for prez now is between a Democrat or Socialist.

Not that long ago, people thought this about the Democrats. I think the real story is the one Ancalagon posits -- we are by nature a two party system. Parties will die and be replaced, but the likelihood of ever seeing a long-term three way situation is very unlikely.

There's a big difference. Approval voting allows you to vote for more than one candidate. In other words, vote for a Dem or Repub and a libertarian or a green. People can vote third party without worrying that they've handed the election to the less agreeable mainline party.

Heh. Long-term three-way. I'll buy the coke if you buy the hookers.

Once hookers are involved, I'm only a spectator. Not a condom big enough for that, my friend.

You never know. Might find one on her first day of that profession, if you shop around. You're looking for "will get nekkid for tuition" not "need cash for meth and baby food".

Both are just slick marketing slogans.