The threat posed by No Labels is not a failure of the Democratic party. Democrats are going to, again, come out to save the country.
It's a failure of center-left/right "independents" who see themselves above such specious things as "party". They may well doom us all. But hey, at least they can sleep easy knowing they didn't vote Democrat or Republican.
The threat posed by No Labels is not a failure of the Democratic party. Democrats are going to, again, come out to save the country.
It's a failure of center-left/right "independents" who see themselves above such specious things as "party". They may well doom us all. But hey, at least they can sleep easy knowing they didn't vote Democrat or Republican.
It’s unfortunate that we always seem to have to vote for the lesser of two evils; in the case before us one definitely has evil anti-democratic intentions, the other confronts conundrums of which there is consequential outcomes beyond his intentions and control. Am personally more sanguine about no labels, believe it gives the closeted “normie” republicans, who are disgusted by cult 45’s behaviors and words, but nonetheless identify as Republican, and can’t or won’t vote for a democrat, merely because they’re democrats, think no labels gives those voters a place to go vote, because they do vote, that is Republican but not cult 45. They want to support the “best man” for the job, as long as that person is a Republican. The consequence could also effect down ballot voting. It’s a hopeful thought anyway. Cult 45 and followers, may be majority in the republicans party, but are not a majority of the electorate by a long shot.
I wish people would stop picking on independents. And centrists. Y'all think you can sum us up in a single phrase like that, but you can't. We came to this place for 1000 different reasons and and we have 10000 different responses to Trump, Biden, and the third party spoilers.
And in general I wish people would stop fantasizing about other people's internal lives. Nobody I know is sleeping easy these days. Nothing, and nobody, is that simple.
The main reason I wish all of the above is not because I can't stand an occasional insult -- most independent-minded people are pretty well been-there-done-that by now. It's because this sort of attitude loses elections.
I would note that both NH and AZ actually have more Independents than either R’s or D’s and although both are considered to be “purple” by many, both rejected MAGA R’s last election while historically leaning towards R’s as Governors- these states are not alone but interesting that neither are fans of big government - they just also appear to not be big fans of authoritarian candidates
I will never join a political party because I fundamentally itch at the idea of other people picking my platform of important ideals and policies, but I would also never vote no labels with democracy on the line, even though I live in Massachusetts where it doesn’t matter what I vote for. We just need to convince 20k independents in Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, and Michigan right? (Hint put abortion on the ballot everywhere you can....a lot of independents are libertarian weirdos (I’m semi one of them) who hate the government in their business)
I have always called myself an independent.But I voted about 75% with Democrats (until 2016) As Tim Nichols has stated, the only way to get rid of the current MAGA/GOP is to keep voting them out of office until they realize they have to change. Now the reason I'm independent is because I'm not wedded to one party's ideology or the other.Simple as that.I'm slightly left on domestic issues, slightly right on economic issues.
That was the position of independent presidential candidate John Anderson in 1980. His motto was “I keep my heart on the left and my wallet on the right”.
Interesting article. I suppose I'm one of the people they're talking about. I SAY that I don't support either party, but internally, I will never again vote for a Republican because of their authoritarianism (and isn't that what the pro-life movement is about at heart?), and yet I don't think government support is the solution to every problem. While Democrats are busy debating positions, Republicans are legislating to make sure no one else gets to make laws.
Limited government doesn't mean NO government, in spite of what my neighbors seem to think.
I call myself independent because I have never affiliated with any party, have voted for candidates of different parties, and am philosophically open to a range of approaches to governance. It's not my fault there's only one serious party available right now.
It's now the future, the year 2031. An ever-aging Trump is still in control of the country as the world order has collapsed. Russia presides over Europe, China over Asia, and the US largely over the western hemisphere. More people are imprisoned and/or deported than ever before. The world financial system is in disarray and conflicts around the globe abound. Unemployment is high, wages are low, and an overwhelming number of folks are barely scraping by, all the while afraid to complain about their lot because you never know anymore who you can trust these days. Climate change is accelerating and technological advances are decelerating as the best and brightest are dead, in prison, or in hiding.
But hey, at least I wasn't a sucker who voted for the Uniparty in 2024. If we ever have elections again, I bet the Democrats have learned their lesson!
I have to confess, love the guy, but I've found myself skipping JVL newsletters and podcasts on occasion lately because it hurts too much to listen to the despair-inducing negativity. It doesn't mean he's wrong, it's just that I can't live in that all of the time. The same is true for the Focus Group podcasts...
It’s like living with Eeyore. He’s sweet but oh my gosh so depressing sometimes, which is why I adore Cletus von Ivermectin. That’s actually worse and means things have gone terribly wrong when JVL trots him out, but it’s just so funny, which makes it worse.
Uh, why am I paying a member? I can be bummed out by this without all their help!
The threat posed by No Labels is not a failure of the Democratic party. Democrats are going to, again, come out to save the country.
It's a failure of center-left/right "independents" who see themselves above such specious things as "party". They may well doom us all. But hey, at least they can sleep easy knowing they didn't vote Democrat or Republican.
It’s unfortunate that we always seem to have to vote for the lesser of two evils; in the case before us one definitely has evil anti-democratic intentions, the other confronts conundrums of which there is consequential outcomes beyond his intentions and control. Am personally more sanguine about no labels, believe it gives the closeted “normie” republicans, who are disgusted by cult 45’s behaviors and words, but nonetheless identify as Republican, and can’t or won’t vote for a democrat, merely because they’re democrats, think no labels gives those voters a place to go vote, because they do vote, that is Republican but not cult 45. They want to support the “best man” for the job, as long as that person is a Republican. The consequence could also effect down ballot voting. It’s a hopeful thought anyway. Cult 45 and followers, may be majority in the republicans party, but are not a majority of the electorate by a long shot.
I wish people would stop picking on independents. And centrists. Y'all think you can sum us up in a single phrase like that, but you can't. We came to this place for 1000 different reasons and and we have 10000 different responses to Trump, Biden, and the third party spoilers.
And in general I wish people would stop fantasizing about other people's internal lives. Nobody I know is sleeping easy these days. Nothing, and nobody, is that simple.
The main reason I wish all of the above is not because I can't stand an occasional insult -- most independent-minded people are pretty well been-there-done-that by now. It's because this sort of attitude loses elections.
I do hear you. But the thing about independent voters is that about 75% of them aren't.
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/few-americans-who-identify-as-independent-are-actually-independent-thats-really-bad-for-politics/
And if you're not in the group I'm talking about, a potential No Labels voter, then my barb was not meant for you.
I would note that both NH and AZ actually have more Independents than either R’s or D’s and although both are considered to be “purple” by many, both rejected MAGA R’s last election while historically leaning towards R’s as Governors- these states are not alone but interesting that neither are fans of big government - they just also appear to not be big fans of authoritarian candidates
I will never join a political party because I fundamentally itch at the idea of other people picking my platform of important ideals and policies, but I would also never vote no labels with democracy on the line, even though I live in Massachusetts where it doesn’t matter what I vote for. We just need to convince 20k independents in Georgia, Arizona, Nevada, and Michigan right? (Hint put abortion on the ballot everywhere you can....a lot of independents are libertarian weirdos (I’m semi one of them) who hate the government in their business)
I have always called myself an independent.But I voted about 75% with Democrats (until 2016) As Tim Nichols has stated, the only way to get rid of the current MAGA/GOP is to keep voting them out of office until they realize they have to change. Now the reason I'm independent is because I'm not wedded to one party's ideology or the other.Simple as that.I'm slightly left on domestic issues, slightly right on economic issues.
That was the position of independent presidential candidate John Anderson in 1980. His motto was “I keep my heart on the left and my wallet on the right”.
I voted for him.He was a good man
Yeah, I'm a social libertarian, fiscal conservative. Just out here wandering in the wilderness like that whale that sings in the wrong key.
Interesting article. I suppose I'm one of the people they're talking about. I SAY that I don't support either party, but internally, I will never again vote for a Republican because of their authoritarianism (and isn't that what the pro-life movement is about at heart?), and yet I don't think government support is the solution to every problem. While Democrats are busy debating positions, Republicans are legislating to make sure no one else gets to make laws.
Limited government doesn't mean NO government, in spite of what my neighbors seem to think.
We think a lot alike.Probably not good for you though!
What's the joke: "I'd never join a club that would allow someone like me to be a member"? 😉
Groucho Marx-
I call myself independent because I have never affiliated with any party, have voted for candidates of different parties, and am philosophically open to a range of approaches to governance. It's not my fault there's only one serious party available right now.
Holy carp! That's interesting (and depressing). Thanks for the link.
I'd say the same thing since 2016,interesting and depressing.
❤️👍
Nailed it.
It's now the future, the year 2031. An ever-aging Trump is still in control of the country as the world order has collapsed. Russia presides over Europe, China over Asia, and the US largely over the western hemisphere. More people are imprisoned and/or deported than ever before. The world financial system is in disarray and conflicts around the globe abound. Unemployment is high, wages are low, and an overwhelming number of folks are barely scraping by, all the while afraid to complain about their lot because you never know anymore who you can trust these days. Climate change is accelerating and technological advances are decelerating as the best and brightest are dead, in prison, or in hiding.
But hey, at least I wasn't a sucker who voted for the Uniparty in 2024. If we ever have elections again, I bet the Democrats have learned their lesson!
Start writing ✍️ that screenplay & pitch your new TV 📺 series to Apple Netflix or Prime.
Hey I get depressed enough from JVL.Don't add to it!
I have to confess, love the guy, but I've found myself skipping JVL newsletters and podcasts on occasion lately because it hurts too much to listen to the despair-inducing negativity. It doesn't mean he's wrong, it's just that I can't live in that all of the time. The same is true for the Focus Group podcasts...
Agree on both fronts - I go straight to John Oliver when I want to get depressed but cheered up at the same time
It’s like living with Eeyore. He’s sweet but oh my gosh so depressing sometimes, which is why I adore Cletus von Ivermectin. That’s actually worse and means things have gone terribly wrong when JVL trots him out, but it’s just so funny, which makes it worse.
Uh, why am I paying a member? I can be bummed out by this without all their help!
Spoopy.
You must enjoy losing money. :-)