"The United States Has Essentially a One-Party System" - Noam Chomsky

[pantsonfire]

SPIEGEL: So for you, Republicans and Democrats represent just slight variations of the same political platform?

Chomsky: Of course there are differences, but they are not fundamental. Nobody should have any illusions. The United States has essentially a one-party system and the ruling party is the business party.

SPIEGEL: You exaggerate. In almost all vital questions — from the taxation of the rich to nuclear energy — there are different positions. At least on the issues of war and peace, the parties differ considerably. The Republicans want to fight in Iraq until victory, even if that takes a 100 years, according to McCain. The Democrats demand a withdrawal plan.

Oh and this little nefarious nugget from the interview:
Among the conservatives, Vice President Dick Cheney just recently illustrated his understanding of democracy. He was asked why he supports a continuation of the war in Iraq when the population is strongly opposed. His answer was: “So?”

https://chomsky.info/20081010/

[The_Casual_Observer]

1. For a smart guy Chomsky has some stupid ideas. It was the same stupid Nader stuff

that helped get bush elected, sure bush was the same as Gore, right.

[pantsonfire]

4. Even Albert Einstein had stupid ideas....

....what's your point exactly?

[rhett o rick]

6. Those that want to blame Nader for Bush are only looking for a scapegoat because

they don't want to face the disaster that occurred. There were major failings of our system and Nader had nothing to do with any of them. Many of the failures were illegal and yet some are willing to pretend they didn't happen and blame Nader who did nothing illegal. And besides, Nader didn't convince anyone of anything. The Left that was disenfranchised by the Fat Cat Party Elite were looking for someone other than Gore to vote for. Millions of eligible voters stayed home. That wasn't Nader's fault but the hubris of the Dem Party Elite turned off a lot of people. The Florida election process was fraudulent. Thousands of AA were not allowed to vote and our Senate turned their backs. Not Nader's fault. The SCOTUS acted outside their Constitutional powers to give Bush the Presidency. Again not Nader's fault. And Al Gore, like the good little soldier for the Powers That Be, jumped over the net and shook Bush's hand saying, "Good game ole chap. Let's have tea soon." Not Nader's fault.

Some people don't want to deal with the terrible irregularities of the 2000 election so they blame it all on Ralph Nader who told the truth. A truth, like Chomshi is repeating, that both the Republicon Party and the leadership of the Democratic Party answer to the same Powers That Be. That's the truth. Hard to deal with but it's there. Much easier to call them liars and pretend it's all Nader's fault.

[The_Casual_Observer]

7. I take it you voted for Nader.

[Phlem]

11. ooo good one!

[rhett o rick]

12. That's your comment? That's your argument for scapegoating Ralph Nader?

Blaming everything that happened on him?

Not the governor of Florida,

Not the Democratic Party Elite that insisted on running Gore after the people were tired of Clinton/Gore.

Not Sandra O'Conner or others on the SCOTUS that violated the Constitution.

Not the Democratic Party Elite that choose to acquiesce before the Bush Family and not challenge or even show displeasure.

Not the millions of registered voters that failed to come out.

Nope the powerful Ralph Nader said both parties were run by the same Powers That Be and that was enough, that was so earth shattering of news, that many on the Left were persuaded to vote for Nader.

[TalkingDog]

15. There it is ^

Mic Drop and Done.

[eridani]

16. Democrats in FL voting for Bush got Bush elected, not Nader n/t

[Downwinder]

2. Gone Corporate.

Different Brand names.

Same product.

[MissDeeds]

3. +1

[farleftlib]

14. You said it

Someone on this site once said something like "the only real choice Americans have these
days is the one between paper and plastic. When we vote we get a corporate president no
matter which letter follows their name."

They said it a lot better than I did but that's the gist of it.

[pantsonfire]

5. One party? You think not?.....

[rhett o rick]

8. That's very good as far as it goes. It needs the most influencial power added, the Big Corporations

and Wall Street.

[LiberalElite]

13. Heh. That would be one crowded chart

[Phlem]

9. "The Democrats demand a withdrawal plan."

riiiiiight.

Oh, we pulled out of that one alright!

Just so we could insert it over here!

[smiley]

10. When have the democrats ever demanded a withdrawal from Iraq?

As far as I know most democrats have been just as complicit in the illegal war. Every9ne who gave Bush the authorization is a criminal IMO. It was as obvious then as it is now that it was all lies.