"There is only one party in the United States, the Property Party...and it has two right wings: ...

[Smarmie Doofus]

Gore Vidal, in the 1970s. From Wikipedia

"There is only one party in the United States, the Property Party...and it has two right wings: Republican and Democrat. Republicans are a bit stupider, more rigid, more doctrinaire in their laissez-faire capitalism than the Democrats, who are cuter, prettier, a bit more corrupt—until recently... and more willing than the Republicans to make small adjustments when the poor, the black, the anti-imperialists get out of hand. But, essentially, there is no difference between the two parties."[46]

Overstated perhaps ( he DOES that), but at the same time prescient as hell.

Essentially true, I'd submit.


Question for discussion: is it more or less true now than it was in the 70's?

I know this type of observation can be irksome to some here; but, since (yes, it is a presidential election year but there is no primary challenge) perhaps we can consider the question on it's merits.

Off topic, but I'll t'row it in.... I was gratified to read on wiki that there is a large body of opinion that shares my view that Vidal's essays are infinitely superior to his infinitely more popular novels.... which frankly, I can't stand. I always felt weird that way.

Imagine: *me*. NOT WEIRD.

[Gman]

1. Yeah, so flip a coin

President Obama or President Santorrum. No diff, huh?

[Smarmie Doofus]

2. Vidal didn't say there was 'no difference':

>>>Republicans are a bit stupider, more rigid, more doctrinaire in their laissez-faire capitalism than the Democrats, who are cuter, prettier, a bit more corrupt—until recently... and more willing than the Republicans to make small adjustments when the poor, the black, the anti-imperialists get out of hand.>>>>

( and remember , he was speaking in the 1970s)


He said there was no *essential* difference:


"But, essentially, there is no difference between the two parties."

Essence:

World English Dictionary
essence (ˈɛs ə ns)

— n
1. the characteristic or intrinsic feature of a thing, which determines its identity; fundamental nature
2. the most distinctive element of a thing: the essence of a problem
3. a perfect or complete form of something, esp a person who typifies an abstract quality: he was the essence of gentility
4. philosophy
a. Compare accident the unchanging and unchangeable nature of something which is necessary to its being the thing it is; its necessary properties
b. the properties in virtue of which something is called by its name
c. the nature of something as distinct from, and logically prior to, its existence

edit to find online dictionary def. of "essence.

BTW, he's not necessarily saying "don't vote" in an election between Obama and Santorum. His implication... or I should say, my inference.... is that there will remain intractable, profound problems ahead of us in the wake of a DEM victory.

Due to the *essence* of the DEM party.

[Gman]

5. You expended a lot of energy responding

however, it doesn't mask the refrain heard too often here at DU that there's no difference between the two parties, which is what the OP is really trying to reinforce.

[A Simple Game]

3. I swear, sometimes it just seems like a big game of good cop-bad cop. n/t

[Vincardog]

4. It is. BAD cop thing get real bad fast; Good cop = things get worst at a slower pace

The direction doesn't change only the pace.
This is what happens when your society is drive exclusively by MONEY
Things will only change when we make the politicians responsible to the PEOPLE
not the money

[A Simple Game]

6. You got that right.

The Republicans have the pedal to the metal, the Democrats only have it half way down, but they are both driving us over a cliff.