US Politics....shining example of democratic system or exercise in futility?

Well it's that time again. Red and Blue are gearing up for the long anticipated battle for the Whitehouse. Is anyone else disgusted by the lack of choice once again? Full disclosure, I'm a registered independent with Libertarian tendencies. At least in principle I'm Libertarian, but in practice I have a hard time supporting certain of the more publicized goals of some Libertarians (such as legalizing all drugs). For giggles you might want to take the test yourself -- less than 5 minutes to complete. Personally I consider myself moderately liberal on personal matters and moderately conservative on business and foreign policy matters.

No matter what my personal tendencies may be, I feel there is no candidate or party that really represents my personal political beliefs. Given the two prevailing choices, I'll probably go with...(yeah right like I'm going to set myself up for that flame war). Frankly because everyone has their own personal point of view on the world, no party or candidate can hope to match all constituents' political tendencies. Still, the two party system seems to be lacking.

Where is the centrist movement in America? We read and hear about moderate Republicans (John McCain?) and moderate Democrats (Zell Miller), but do moderates really hold enough political clout to convince these and others to leave their parties and start fresh? The '92 election with Ross Perot taking 19% of the popular vote hinted at a untapped demand and frustration by the American public. I'm not sure Perot would be considered moderate, but he was definitely outside the traditional party lines. By 2000 the lines were firmly drawn and third parties or alternate parties garnered no substantial votes (though Gore supporters might argue that 3rd parties cost them the election - Nader refutes this). Was 1992 an aberration? Is it time for alternate parties to get a fair shake in the US? I'm not advocating a complex multiparty system, but with many of us not wanting to wear that label of "conservative" or "liberal" that Republicans and Democrats have become synonymous with, isn't it time for at least one "moderate" party to more closely match our goals? (Yes, I know Nader is running on the Green ticket, and though I admire his personal convictions, let's face it -- the Green is a fringe party that does nothing to unite the middle.)

Do you consider yourself outside the traditional parties? If so, what separates you from the rest? Are you more liberal, more conservative, or do you call yourself a moderate...and if moderate what is your definition of moderate? Is it time for a viable third party in America, and if so how does it avoid just being a fringe player? Should moderates try to take back their own parties, wresting control from the more extremist members who currently have the reigns? Or are we moderates just too darn lazy to put up much of a fuss, and we'll be resigned to picking the lesser of two evils for decades to come?

First Post......

After consuming my share of blog entries, it's time to try a hand at this myself.

Topics will come at a random pace and be completely up to my personal whimsy. If you want to comment, please feel free. This will not be a strongly moderated site (I don't have the time to play hall monitor), but I reserve the right to remove posts from overly abusive members. Remember "netiquette"? Debate is strongly encouraged, and opposing points of view will be respected. Just keep it friendly.