Exactly what I was getting at, unless you're extraordinarily wealthy you haven't got a chance.

I guess money talks whether you're independent or not. But I guess participating in a party debate and primaries kind of counts as free advertising :-k

Be Donald Trump. That's about it.

I'm not sure if it was you or not who brought up media power but the whole media campaign really has an effect. Debates and what not between candidates gets the nation talking. If you're an independent, how do you get enough media coverage to remain relevant?

Edited by bethfc: 7/3/2016 03:31:50 PM

FOTM vs the world is over. Just stop. And anyone who potentially gets dragged into it in future - just stop, don't bite. Please.

If the ricecrackers multis aren't ricecrackers himself I am so furious with whoever thinks it's funny. It's not even remotely witty or anything. Just stop.

Next up is IP bans, I swear.

Stop this garbage.

As always, PM me with any issues. Thankyou to those gems who have already done so to help self-police this place. The RBB could take a lesson from you all.

Primaries are democratic but I'm not sold on them - they encourage extremism (Trump/the Tea Party movement) while at the same time entrenching the two party system, since the only way for fringe candidates to gain traction is to run in the primaries rather than challenge the traditional parties as an independent in the general election.

Exactly, its a complete mess. If the people side with Trump for the Republican nomination, the Republicans who don't want him are almost forced to back an independent.

What is the sense of having parties if the parties cannot choose their candidates?

Yes I like the idea of it but it's problematic, people who vote at the moment are not voting for the president but a person to represent the party in the presidential election. Open primaries make no sense at all to me in this context and in the others I believe the power is too heavily weighted towards the rank and file when ultimately, elected officials of the party need to be able work with whoever is elected to run as their candidate.

I think the democratic "super delegate" system is good because it gives some of that power back to those people. Whether the balance is right or not, I'm not sure at this stage.

Really there should be no reason why Drumpf can't run as an independent but the practical system to be put into the election (as Azza outlined earlier) as well as the "political culture" there seems to make it impossible.

And therein lies the delegate problem.

Yeah, a process where the people can elect their leader, democracy.
Crazy concept.

I was most surprised to learn that a candidate can run for a party with the party virtually powerless to stop them (Trump).

Seems absolutely crazy to me.

These obsessions are unbelievable

I can't believe how derailed this thread has gotten all thanks to people going of on obsessed topics.

I've previously declared my interest in elections and the different systems used around the world to achieve this purpose. I've also been respectful of (and indeed learnt a few things from) posts about the domestic political situation in the US as well even though it has little bearing on me as an Australian.

That's what is great about the US system, there's a new primary or caucus every week to look at. The system is so decentralised too so they're are a lot of quirks that really should be reformed in my opinion.

Edited by mcjules: 7/3/2016 02:40:51 PM

I came here to stay on topic about politics and look what's happened?

9 times out of 10 I do ignore him but it doesnt stop him. His obsession is endless.

Be the bigger man then and stop responding. Personal attacks and meme posting kills threads.

Same goes for the others contributing to this nonsense.

I've been on topic all through this thread, mcjules has contributed nothing of substance. He even admitted he knows fuck all about US politics. So why does he post here? ...because he's obsessed.

Jules is one of the more reasonable posters on this forum. You on the other hand seem to play the man instead of the topic consistently.

Please either join the discussion without the competition or refrain from posting.

It's not that hard to not be a dick or to not respond to those who are making things personal.

I was having a civilised discussion with ardtho then "mcjules" derails it with lies and obsessive behavior. He accuses others of lacking conviction but brings nothing to the table in these threads but his obsessions.



Edited by TheFactOfTheMatter: 7/3/2016 02:25:31 PM

Can we stop this fucking dick measuring contest, it's pathetic and derailing what was one of the only productive threads here.

Fuck off and belittle each other in AF.

You're sick because you keep repeating this under 18 line, and still in high school line.
Its an obsession for you. Anyone, go search mcjules post history and see how many times he repeats this in regards to FOTM hoping to attract attention. He's been ignored for the most part and as soon as he gets any attention he starts posting pictures of children. Sick individual. A really sick person.

Claiming I'm under 18 is unfounded. Claiming I take opinion from popular internet communities is unfounded.
You keep repeating all of this bullshit. Its entirely your own imagination...or fantasy.
You're burning because your ideals are being exposed as the cancer they are on human culture.

Let's see,
1. adrtho asked about state gambling laws.
2. I provided a response to that question
3. You called me a sick individual


Perception isn't your strong point.

I really wish this forum had an ignore function

You cant help yourself. You're obsessed.
You cant stay on topic and keep bringing up this childish rubbish every time. You're a cancer on this form, you and your ilk.
One of the primary reasons this place is a cesspit = you, draupkick and your favourite mod.