Speyside wrote:They bowed to big business.
Well, Bernie Sanders, I don't believe its quite that simple.
I think it is complicated. I am a life long registered Republican, but my allegiance has wavered greatly the last few decades. Perot is the only non-Republican that I've voted for in a national election, but I try to approach every election as objectively as possible. I have thought a lot about what's gone wrong....but as I said, its complicated and a number of factors are involved....
- $$ currently prevents third party candidates and independents from being relevant to national conversation. A by-product of this, is that the right becomes the owner of both fiscal and social conservatism - which are not related and makes for confusing, mixed messages
- Fox News and its brethren are a large part of the problem. They're divisive and loud and negative and pander to the edges. Solidifies the 'base', but alienates the opportunities towards the middle. This is compounded by the 'fact' that a more centrist Republican would be hard-pressed to win a primary (Mittens, notwithstanding), but a more right-leaning candidate would struggle in Nov
- I have been able to find one non-white Republican in Congress, Tim Scott. I'm still looking to see if there's any non-Christian Republicans at the Capitol.
-As Frank pointed out, the message, not just from Rush and Fox is overwhelmingly negative. I have no desire to see Trump as president, but he's the only person on the right who has said specifically what he would do (even if it is as farfetched as thinking he can make Mexico write a check for his wall.)
I am so very tired of the bitching about what is wrong with every Democrat and absolute silence about what should be done.....Overturning Roe v Wade, or Reversing Obamacare, or Declaring global warming is a hoax, or screaming about Hillary's transgressions, or tossing out the Iran deal, or .....are not plans for success. The average American has become more socially liberal, or tolerant or whatever --- the Evangelical Right may not like it --- they may even have good reasons; however, nothing in the message the last few years is doing anything other than alienating -- they aren't changing minds or behavior. There is something romantic about the Cruz-ish message that 'I will never compromise my principles....' blah, blah....But, my perception of the reality of governing is that you are elected to represent your constituents' ---- not your personal beliefs and morality. Democratic republic without any compromise is not a recipe for success or progress.
I don't know how to fix it....so I am just another ranter and complainer. But I do think that election finance reform would be a place to start. Figuring how to reach the expanding undecideds, middle, independents, even libertarianist leaning people that aren't going to be registering as Democrats any time soon would be another good step.