Hello bob,   
      
   On Fri 2012-Nov-23 11:20, BOB KLAHN (1:123/140) wrote to RICHARD WEBB:   
      
      
    RW> Right, and, imnsho this is one of the reasons we'll never   
    RW> see the electoral college abolished, the two majors can   
    RW> give us the same old tired excrement and effectively   
    RW> disenfranchise third party voters.  This is also why the   
      
   BK>  Of course, they risk being taken over by a large and well funded    
   BK> third party, like the Tea Party did to the republicans.   
      
   Yeup.   
      
    RW> Republicans abandoned the true fiscal conservatives and   
    RW> those of a libertarian bent in favor of the religious   
      
   BK>  Religious and checkbook conservatives. IOW, right wingers.   
      
   Again agreed.   
      
      
      
   BK>  Which is one point Libertarians and all dedicated third partiers   
   BK> forget. They can be ignored if they don't get involved with the  big   
   BK> parties. Then can have a significant effect from within the  big   
   BK> parties. Over time they do affect policy. That's been shown  again   
   BK> and again.   
      
   True, but these are often the most difficult to motivate to   
   get involved in the major parties because too much of the   
   party's main thrust is diametrically opposed to the   
   individual's point of view.   
      
   i registered Democrat back in Iowa, mainly due to the caucus system and my   
   activism with the organized blind movement.   
   IN '88 I got heavily involved in the process because we were fighting to save   
   a rehabilitation agency from being bundled   
   in some huge umbrella organization thereby losing its   
   autonomy, and its effectiveness.  I was known in my   
   neighborhood by many, and knew as a JEsse Jackson supporter   
   at the caucus I could get a platform committee seat, and   
   help steer through a platform plank specifhying that state   
   government leave the rehab agencies alone in their great   
   reorganization push.  But, had it not been for that issue at that time i   
   probably would have never run for that platform   
   committee seat at the state level.   
      
    RW> MEanwhile, Falwell Robertson and their ilk must be   
    RW> placated, they're loud and they've got money from the   
    RW> gullible er faithful to burn.  got to do something other   
    RW> than build air conditioned doghouses ya know.   
      
   BK>  Yeah, esp since Citizens United. And they make good front groups    
   BK> for big money people.   
      
   That they do too.  pLenty of ways to hide who's really   
   behind something.   
      
      
   BK>  Never underestimate the ability of politicians to evade truth.    
      
   Believe me, I don't!   
      
    RW> The electoral college was effective, back before the   
    RW> telegraph, the telephone and other electronic   
    RW> communications capabilities, but it's been obsolete for   
    RW> over a century now. it's time to bury it!   
      
   BK>  Exactly the point.   
      
   And we know it'll never happen.  IT gives the two major   
   parties a lock on power.   
      
   Regards,   
              Richard   
   ... 10% of everything isn't crap, watch closely or you'll miss it!   
   ---   
    * Origin:  (1:116/901)