It's not like the Republicans are not corrupt...

http://nypost.com/2014/11/10/cuomo-had-a-secret-re-election-pact-with-republicans/

Cuomo had a secret re-election ‘pact’ with Republicans

Excerpt:

The state’s most powerful Republican secretly worked for months to help Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo win re-election — in exchange for Cuomo’s promise not to aid Senate Democrats in their Long Island races, a top New York GOP leader has charged.

Former state Republican Party Executive Director Michael Lawler — who managed Rob Astorino’s ill-fated gubernatorial run against Cuomo — told The Post that he learned of the alleged bombshell deal between Senate GOP leader Dean Skelos and Cuomo just days ago, after suspecting for months that it existed.

“Dean Skelos clearly was working against Rob’s campaign — he and the governor cut a deal,’’ seethed Lawler, a protégé of GOP Chairman Ed Cox.

Lawler said he realized his explosive comments could cost him his future in New York politics but insisted he didn’t care.

“I’ve had enough of these f—ing people,’’ he said. “I’m happy to go on the record about all of this, and if that means I don’t get a job up in Albany, I’m happy with it.”

It's not like the Republicans are not corrupt...

http://nypost.com/2014/11/10/cuomo-had-a-secret-re-election-pact-with-republicans/

Cuomo had a secret re-election ‘pact’ with Republicans

Excerpt:

The state’s most powerful Republican secretly worked for months to help Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo win re-election — in exchange for Cuomo’s promise not to aid Senate Democrats in their Long Island races, a top New York GOP leader has charged.

Former state Republican Party Executive Director Michael Lawler — who managed Rob Astorino’s ill-fated gubernatorial run against Cuomo — told The Post that he learned of the alleged bombshell deal between Senate GOP leader Dean Skelos and Cuomo just days ago, after suspecting for months that it existed.

“Dean Skelos clearly was working against Rob’s campaign — he and the governor cut a deal,’’ seethed Lawler, a protégé of GOP Chairman Ed Cox.

Lawler said he realized his explosive comments could cost him his future in New York politics but insisted he didn’t care.

“I’ve had enough of these f—ing people,’’ he said. “I’m happy to go on the record about all of this, and if that means I don’t get a job up in Albany, I’m happy with it.”

I don't like the shady back room deals and underhanded tactics myself.  But, these are a far cry from being indicted or convicted of actual crimes.

I think many politicians are reluctant to cross that line.  The ones who do and still get reelected are who cause me stomach pains!

Mayor Marion Barry is a perfect example.  So are Jesse Jackson's son, Jesse Jr., and every governor of Illinois the last couple of decades!

In the span of four years starting in 2007, Jesse L. Jackson Jr., then a representative from Illinois, amassed a collection of celebrity memorabilia, furs, jewelry and furniture.

Working with an antiques dealer in Nevada and a furrier in Beverly Hills, Calif., Mr. Jackson bought a $5,000 football signed by United States presidents, two hats that once
belonged to Michael Jackson — including a $4,600 fedora — and an $800 cape.

Mr. Jackson's desire for such objects, however, prompted him to take about $750,000 directly from his campaign funds in violation of campaign finance laws, according to
government documents, unraveling the career of one of the country’s best-known black politicians and the son of a famous civil rights activist.

Federal prosecutors in Washington [have] filed charges against Mr. Jackson tied to his repeated use of campaign funds, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, mail fraud
and making false statements.

I don't like the shady back room deals and underhanded tactics myself.  But, these are a far cry from being indicted or convicted of actual crimes.

Maybe these recent incidents (no need to mention the Watergate, etc. events) meet your criteria:

Former Connecticut Gov. John G. Rowland, Republican
Rowland resigned from office and later pleaded guilty to one-count of deprivation of honest services on December 23, 2004.
Rowland was allegedly using public funds to pay for vacations and other extravagances. He served 10 months in a federal prison.

Former Rep. Duke Cunningham, Republican-Calif.
The congressman pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit bribery, mail fraud, wire fraud and tax evasion on Nov. 28, 2005.

Former Illinois Gov. George H. Ryan, Republican
On Sept. 6, 2006 the former governor was sentenced to prison on fraud and racketeering charges.

Lewis Libby, Republican
The Chief of Staff for Vice President Dick Cheney was convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice in the Plame Affair on March 6, 2007. His sentence was later commuted by President George W. Bush.

Former Idaho Sen. Larry Craig, Republican
The former senator was arrested on June 11, 2007 for "lewd conduct" in a public restroom.
The scandal eventually led to his retirement from the Senate, thus ending his career in politics.

Former Rep. Rick Renzi, Republican-Ariz.
On June 12, 2013, Renzi was convicted on 17 of 32 counts in a corruption case, accusing him of using his office for personal financial gain.

Rep. Trey Radel, Republican-Fla.
The congressman was convicted of misdemeanor possession of cocaine on November 19, 2013.
Radel's arrest seemed particularly ironic considering the congressman's support of mandated drug tests for welfare recipients.

i love when shown evidence that the 2 party system is a fraud the goal posts are moved.

I can't believe 147k people voted for schatz! Why?

Because there are too many people that work for the State and local Governments.  We have too small of a state and too many people work for the Government.  People that work for Government only survive by being parasites off of the productive private sector.  Democrats always promise to continue funding the parasites jobs.

.

I was away but read through the comments on the libertarian party.

What I've found along the way during conversation of the libertarian party is this.
Democrats tend to view the libertarians as out of touch with reality because they seek to destroy the socialized support systems and therefore see them as anarchists in general. When calming discussing that these agendas by the libertarians are not considered tenable goals in the here and now but rather reflect a direction in establishing a people that no longer have a need of these things, they begin to open up and understand the libertarian goals and appreciate them and want to know more.

On the other hand when speaking to Republicans, they are typically open to and appreciate the libertarian position but as with most conservatives they point out  that there's no chance for the libertarians to win and therefore such a vote would only help out the Democrats.

Both democrats and republicans appreciate the libertarian goals but each from differing perspectives.

This is the key to unifying us as a people with a purpose again. This is our lost middle ground.

If you as a republican or democrat can appreciate the libertarian goals then you can turn to the opposite party and share those thoughts and vice versa. We can only  control our nation and redirect its direction if we as people can come together and re-establish our common ground. We cannot allow the corruption to divide us any longer. So, if you refuse to vote libertarian just because the numbers don't seem to be there, at the very least begin using the party to establish a common ground communication channel with those of the opposing party. Friends, family, coworkers etc. It can only be fixed if we fix it amongst one another first. Don't allow your political conversation to dwell on the r or d party.

Back in the old days, I'm sure some here remember neighborhood meetings that discussed these sorts of issues. Maybe you recall your parents or grandparents hosting or involved in these neighborhood meetings. Maybe not for some people. The point is, we need to rediscover our shared ground again and fight fiercely with one another to regain it's major majority again while setting aside the extremist where they belong in the shadows of obscurity.

Please forgive the typos etc. I'm still getting used to this simulated touch keyboard.

I think you raise a very astute point salty0317.

We are far and away too polarized. This only serves the party's in power, not the people. Remember the old adage "Divide and Conquer". Until we begin having frank discussions and real debate amongst ourselves, keeping ALL options on the table, less those that are obviously untenable and unconstitutional, the pendulum will continue to swing between both extremes. The only benefactor in this situation is the government, and those that seek to "Rule" rather than "Serve".

Our political system is obviously askew, due in no small part to the fact that our choices have been limited to "either/or". We need to put aside our factional differences, and begin to discuss what is good for the country, and therefore the people as whole, rather than attempting to impose an ideal we choose to live by on others.

In short, we should get back to our "roots" via the Constitution, and put government back in it's proper place, serving us rather than ruling us.

Sorry for the cross posting...

Ben Carson for President 2016
https://2ahawaii.com/index.php?topic=17126.msg157578#msg157578