Dan and George's Republican thread

Snarrrl. Cat my dogs.

Grrr. Dog my cats. Sorry if this is a repost!!

Is this click bait for me? Seriously? I refuse to respond. Peace is maintained.

This is obviously some US thing, having only two parties. In our national parliament ('Storting' from the old norse Ting), we currently have 9 different political parties. The number of parties in Norway is a whole lot more than I know. I feel in a sharing mood right now so I will share a bit of personal info. Keep in mind that I do not wish to start any kind of political discussion here, I simply wish to share my own standing.

I am actually a registered member of a political party in Norway, and this party is represented on parliament as well. I am a member of a party called "Rødt", which literally translates to "Red". It is a merger of two former parties: "Workers Communist Party" and "Red Electoral Alliance". I have been a registered member of this party for many years now, and they are somewhat big in my home city with a significant representation in the city council.

I see, and I suppose it is practically impossible for other parties to have a real chance. I obviously don't know how it is there, but I am going to make a guess that it is kind of a collective perception that you really only have two options. Changing this would probably be nearly impossible if it has become the accepted norm.

It's hard to know for sure, but I suspect advertising might play a large part in this. The two big parties probably sit on the big money, so they can afford a huge advertising campaign. If most people are exposed to mostly ads from only two parties, they will probably only consider those two. Political advertising used to be completely forbidden in Norway, but after a ruling in the EU, we had to allow some political ads.

Currently, political ads are banned on regular TV (which hardly anyone watch anymore), but it is allowed on any other form of media. Thankfully, as a nation, we still view political ads largely negatively, so we only have political ads a couple of months before elections. Usually these ads are in the form of pamphlets in your mailbox. I have heard that political ads are being served on social media as well, but since I don't frequent social media I wouldn't know. Besides I always use adblock.

On a personal level, I strongly support the notion that we need multiple parties. Even further, I believe governments should always consist of more than one party. This is a good way to ensure that more than one view is represented in any ruling matter. The last time we had a single party government in Norway was 2001, since then it has always been coalition governments.

Our systems of government are probably a bit different I would assume. I admit that I don't know much about how the government works in the US. We don't have a president in Norway, the head of state is the King. By our constitution, it is the King that ratifies any new law. In reality, the King has no real power, even though he is actually above the law by our constitution.

We only vote for "Stortinget" (the parliament), and it is there that laws are made. Government is, according to our Constitution, appointed by the King. In reality this does not happen. Instead, the largest group on the parliament will form the government. For example, lets say that three parties: Socialist Left, Labour party, and Center party, agree to work together. All three combined have the majority on parliament. Members from those parties can then be voted in (by parliament) as ministers in the new government. Formally, the King will "appoint" the new ministers. Ministers in government can't have positions on parliament. If anyone voted into parliament is put on the government, then someone else from the same party will take their spot in parliament.

I would assume that this is common for most monarchies.

I'm sure I don't have a good understanding of how things may change for the better.

It's said that the grass is always greener in a place you don't live. Norway looks rather sane with its many political parties. We supposedly have two parties, but I think there is only one party. It does what it's told by the few people that have real power in this land. The Money Party.

The Money Party is insane. Riches so large that the holders have no grip on the reality shared by most of us. They dictate everything. The Republicans seem to say "Hooray" to this and prove that they care not one whit for the poor. The Democrats supposedly act as a brake on this juggernaut but this brake has been worn down to nothing by the corruption that riches bring to the table---and the Democrats acceptance of "whatever you say, my rich Master." Because it's always followed by the "ka-ching" of their cash registers. But assuredly not any improvement in OUR well being.

We as a people want 90% of things changed that lock us into hell. The Masters will NEVER listen, and they prove less responsive to what WE want every day.

We are in very poor hands. And the great majority of us are becoming poorer and less powerful by the minute.

We are the number one nation in the destruction of our natural world. We insist that all the other nations follow our example. Sadly, I think it's all over for all life as we thought we knew it. At least in the USA. Maybe the world will tell the Americans to shut up and go away. I think they already do, but our Great Nation is deaf to all that isn't American. And all that "IS" American is The Money Party.

But otherwise life is great.

Sho' you right!