2020 Iowa Democratic Caucus

[Alonzo]

Yeah, the ones who win it. It's a popularity contest. You don't get complain and whine that you are being robbed when the whole shit show is not built on fairness.

It's true that the system is not built on actual fairness but a semblance of fairness; but that's even more reason to decry the systematic/institutional flaws and blatant hypocrisy, in order to hold they system accountable for not living up to its alleged ideals. It sounds like you're arguing that to get ahead, one must play the game. Pragmatically speaking, I get it, but I think people are tired of that kind of deep cynicism. Trump may be an orange pus filled, herpetic lesion, a cancerous blight on the human conscience, but he didn't play the "politics as usual" game and that worked out well for him--that's how desperate folks are for someone willing to throw a wrench into the current, egregiously problematic system. I don't think it makes sense to keep playing by rules that were never fair to begin to with. And seeing as how the current corrupt system is still being fiercely guarded and protected by those who benefit the most from it, the only recourse folks like Bernie and his supporters have is to constantly call out the unfairness, to shed light on it.

[Ryan]

By this definition of “deserve”, you “deserve” whatever you end up getting. A king “deserves” a kingdom when he’s born into it, or likewise if he raises an army and slaughters thousands or millions of people. It’s tautology. What was the point of your post?

That Bernie needed to do more to get the democratic delegates last time, and I see the same issues being brought up again. If he ends up losing the nomination then it doesn't matter what his ideals are, he is a shitty candidate.

It's true that the system is not built on actual fairness but a semblance of fairness; but that's even more reason to decry the systematic/institutional flaws and blatant hypocrisy, in order to hold they system accountable for not living up to its alleged ideals. It sounds like you're arguing that to get ahead, one must play the game. Pragmatically speaking, I get it, but I think people are tired of that kind of deep cynicism. Trump may be an orange pus filled, herpetic lesion, a cancerous blight on the human conscience, but he didn't play the "politics as usual" game and that worked out well for him--that's how desperate folks are for someone willing to throw a wrench into the current, egregiously problematic system. I don't think it makes sense to keep playing by rules that were never fair to begin to with. And seeing as how the current corrupt system is still being fiercely guarded and protected by those who benefit the most from it, the only recourse folks like Bernie and his supporters have is to constantly call out the unfairness, to shed light on it.

You get it.

Trump didn't play by the rules but at least he was playing. Watching Bernie spend his resources on ineffective methods and losing makes me question the seriousness of his campaign.

[FreelancePoliceman]

That Bernie needed to do more to get the democratic delegates last time, and I see the same issues being brought up again. If he ends up losing the nomination then it doesn't matter what his ideals are, he is a shitty candidate.

You’re shitty if you lose and not shitty if you win; I get it. Again, what is the point of this? This isn’t saying anything.

[Ryan]

not shitty if you win

I didn't say that. I'm not going to repeat myself. Ask better questions if you want better answers.

[Protozoa]

You’re shitty if you lose and not shitty if you win; I get it. Again, what is the point of this? This isn’t saying anything.

I think it's true though. Politicians don't require education or any set of requirements to apply as a politician and they don't need to have competence at doing their job once in office. They just need to get elected. That's it. That's all they require to be a politician. And if it means creating propaganda on their opponents, spreading false information, saying things they later won't do, siding with powerful people, and bending or breaking any rules without repercussion, it's okay. It really is. It shouldn't be, but it is. It's the perfect job for someone looking to be a master criminal or someone of low conscience. And they get to run the country and make law.

It can't be fixed...can it.

[Adam Strange]

I think it's true though. Politicians don't require education or any set of requirements to apply as a politician and they don't need to have competence at doing their job once in office. They just need to get elected. That's it. That's all they require to be a politician. And if it means creating propaganda on their opponents, spreading false information, saying things they later won't do, siding with powerful people, and bending or breaking any rules without repercussion, it's okay. It really is. It shouldn't be, but it is. It's the perfect job for someone looking to be a master criminal or someone of low conscience. And they get to run the country and make law.

It can't be fixed...can it.

My god, this is so true. Quoted for posterity. This should be engraved in stone in every public place in the country.

So, @noctis, you are correct. However, it can be "fixed", in the sense that politicians can be made to represent voters. The fix is to ensure that money can't influence their chances at re-election.

So, short term, have the State give every politician a fixed amount of money to spend only on their campaign (this would be cheaper for the State in the long run compared to the graft and incompetence we have now), and if they either spend the money on themselves or they accept money from other sources, they are hanged. No exceptions.

Long term, corporations are not people and cannot be allowed to influence politics, and income and wealth inequality must be brought down.

[Protozoa]

...
So, @noctis, you are correct. However, it can be "fixed", in the sense that politicians can be made to represent voters. The fix is to ensure that money can't influence their chances at re-election.

So, short term, have the State give every politician a fixed amount of money to spend only on their campaign (this would be cheaper for the State in the long run compared to the graft and incompetence we have now), and if they either spend the money on themselves or they accept money from other sources, they are hanged. No exceptions.

Long term, corporations are not people and cannot be allowed to influence politics, and income and wealth inequality must be brought down.

I guess that would help if they don't find ways around it. Like finding ways to take money for the campaign without actually taking it for the campaign; cause what's to stop other people spending money for your campaign indirectly? I mean if you can get the news channels to put out bias news in your favor that doesn't even have to cost anything and they can claim they are not biased. And when people can hold extreme views as unbiased, they can influence the law and order in their own vision. And then biased == unbiased. And it just feels like a war, except the worst kind, because it never ends and there's never any real peace, just periods of less intense fighting when elections aren't coming up soon.

I think I need to accept that politics is about power and popularity first, dealing with serious issues and good leadership second. That's really the only way it makes any sense to me.