when will the republicans win another presidential election?

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

2008

What? I thought you were predicting a Hillary victory.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

The other problem with Canadian type single pay system is getting treatment.  My sister is 51 and was having some very troubling symptoms over the last two to three weeks.  The blood work results looked suspicious and combined with the symptoms and family history the doctor ordered a CT scan  last Monday - which showed shadows or spots on her kidney and liver.  They immediately ordered a MRI and that was done yesterday (two days later) to get a definitive diagnosis.  We are hoping against hope for good news early next week.  Anyone want to venture a guess as to how long she would have to wait for the original CT scan let alone a follow up procedure like an MRI if she lived in Canada?  I wonder if Michael Moore covered that little detail in his latest propaganda flick.  We all know the answer to that one I think.

Government run health care is wonderful - unless you are actualy sick.  if the cancer spreads (cancer tends to do that) while you are waiting for "your turn" it doesn't do you a hell of a lot of good.  Now, if we can tweek the system to improve what we've got I'm all for doing whatever we can do to improve the system.  However, government run systems look good on paper, but my sister is a living example as to the drawback - a matter of life and death.

So how about a two-tier system. There are both government and privately-ran health care systems. Similar to the current education system actually. That way at least the uninsured have some form of health care, and those who can afford don't complain about all the disadvantages of a single-payer system.

Or we could not have government-ran health care, but instead have the government provide INSURANCE for everyone.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

If you really want to fix these problems - it all starts with election and campaign finance reform. These are things that most Republicans hate and quite a few Democrats do not like as well. People can argue that spending money equals free speech till they are blue in the face, but what they are actually doing is defending the status quo of our broken political system.

I agree.  But the two dinosaur parties have done all they can to limit the abilities of the individuals and third-parties from breaking down those barriers.  If neither party wants to solve issues, they have no need to change the status quo.

Want third parties to get in? Then change the FPTP system you love so much.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Want third parties to get in? Then change the FPTP system you love so much.

No, we just need to remove the barriers put in place in allowing ballot access.  Switching away from FPTP without changing ballot access still leaves the third-parties severely disadvantaged by the two dominanting parties.

What type of barriers are you referring to? Plenty of states have easy ballot access laws. I really doubt you support completely publicly-funded campaigns or anything.

While other such things are probably needed to open up the situation for third parties, FPTP is the biggest obstacle. You won't get a multi-party system under FPTP, period. Getting rid of it may only be the first step, but it's a needed step.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

BTW, despite what MODU says, under a switch to pure PR the Democrats almost certainly would completely break up after a few cycles (the party might remain under some informal alliance of parties but not as a true political party) and the Republicans would be reduced to a much smaller party.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Want third parties to get in? Then change the FPTP system you love so much.

No, we just need to remove the barriers put in place in allowing ballot access.  Switching away from FPTP without changing ballot access still leaves the third-parties severely disadvantaged by the two dominanting parties.

modu, maybe this isnt a fair question, but im curious...why arent you a republican?  do you disagree with the republican party on anything?

The same question could be asked of you, Walter?  Why aren't you a Democrat?  I've answered this numerous times in the past.  I jumped out of supporting the Republican party decades ago, remained independent up till the early days of the Reform movement, and then went back to independent.  I am conservative by nature, so I will more times than not share similar views as those of the Republican party, but I do have my differences on issues, especially when the two dinosaur parties have grown closer together with their party-first mentality.

modu, im basically an independent.  i certainly vote a very split ticket.

i just happen to still be registered a republican.  and ill likely remain a republican.  im hopeful that the party will rebuild itself into something a little more secular and a little less mean-spirited.

Heck, i'll bet you even have the pleasantries and grace of a traditional republican. You probably drive a traditional large sedan, enjoy golf and generally live in the suburbs.

hhaha.  wrong!

i live in a very urban area.  i drive a small, economy class car.  and ive never played golf!

I thought you lived in lily-white Boston suburbia.