[extropy-chat] Politics: Internet-based third party ?

[The Avantguardian]

--- "natashavita at earthlink.net"
<natashavita at earthlink.net> wrote:

> I'm quoting one of my professors:
> 
> "Joe Trippi, campaign manager for Howard Dean,
> predicted (on 'Charlie Rose'
> last week) that he is sure that an Internet-based
> third party will emerge
> before 2008 with money comparable to what the two
> established parties can
> raise.  (It's supposedly in his book _The Revolution
> will be Televised_.)"
> 
> Anyone see the "Charlie Rose" interview, or read
> Trippi's book?
> 
> Natasha
> 
> 
IMHO

      That is very optimistic. I would agree with him
if it it weren't for the fact that both the
Republicans and the Democrats have already saturated
the Internet with their tripe. Moreover it seems to me
based on Howard Dean's example (I liked him and still
do) that no matter how popular or how much Internet
presence a candidate has, if the mainstream media
(controlled by FOX, CBS, NBC aka Microsoft, ABC aka
Disney, CNN aka AOL-Time-Warner) chooses to torpedo
the candidate then they are screwed.
      Internet based or not, the only hope I foresee
for a third party in the United States right now,
other than the miraculous enlightenment of the masses,
is a coalition of all existing third parties. That is
to say that if the Independants, the Libertarians, the
Greens, the Freedom, the Communists, the Constitution
Party, and every other party that may have slipped my
mind gets together and forms an uber-coalition party,
then there might be a political entity capable of
ousting the GOP and Dems. Unfortunately considering
the wide range of platforms espoused by all these
parties, such a coalition would probabably become a
watered down sorry excuse of a compromise just like
the current two parties.
      Lets face it, game theory has mathematically
shown that in a two party system, it behooves both
parties to fight against the credibility of any third
party tooth and nail, because both parties covet the
middle ground and can't stomach some third party
getting the moderate and undecided votes. In a two
party system, the best strategy is to try to be as
moderate as possible. (which is why all recent
elections have been like choosing between Coke or
Pepsi). If there was a viable third party then both
existing parties would be forced farther toward their
respective polarities and their best strategy then
would be to be far left or far right and hope.
      Therefore, so long as mass media is more
prevalent than the Internet and that mass media is
controlled by Rupert Murdoch and his ilk, you will
have great candidates like Howard Dean have their
character assassinated for being decisive and
passionate enough to scream during a speech. And you
will have not so great candidates like Kerry first
propped up and then, in the final hour, criticised for
being bland and indecisive. All so they can get a
souless corporate tool back into office, to truly
ensure the longterm rule of the overclass.

The moral of the story:
     The Internet is wonderful but the average
American still thinks that TV is the voice of God.
Since all 1000 channels are owned by 5 companies, you
have a situation where five men control consentual
reality for the masses. Therefore you are screwed,
unless of course you are Bill Gates, Rupert Murdoch,
Michael Eisner, etc.  


=====
The Avantguardian 


"He stands like some sort of pagan god or deposed tyrant. Staring out over the city he's sworn to . . .to stare out over and it's evident just by looking at him that he's got some pretty heavy things on his mind."


		
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