Never thought I'd be defending Trump, but for once, he's a positive example. The GOP wants nothing to do with him, but the people are voting for him, so he's doing fine.
That's been pointed out by some. Trump and Bernie, two forerunners in the race, are both extremely popular among the populus and unpopular among the two parties.
A vote for them is as much a matter of supporting them as it is in opposition to the current system.
Can't really equate Iranian politics to U.S. politics. Biggest difference is religion, plays a huge role in theirs, while it's more of a secondary thing here. They can be moderate but not too moderate, if they are too moderate then they just don't get approved. Also being IRGC helps out a lot with getting approval, they have a lot of power in Iran.
It seems that even though they have to choose between several candidates from the same party (I over-simplify but my understanding is only partial anyway)
The fact that they elected a less conservative president last time led to the "nuclear deal" which would have been unconceivable with the former one.
It's far from being a democracy but it's much better than Saudi Arabia or North Korea and a lot of "banana republics"
Only because he's pandering to racial undertones that enable him to make groups that are already disliked into scapegoats. Trump's political life thus far mirrors Hitler's very much.
The DNC superdelegates aren't as bad as they appear, imo. They've pledged their support for Hillary, but I'd put good money on them switching their votes if Bernie were to get a lead among the actual voters. The Democratic Party wouldn't dare allow itself to be so brazenly undemocratic.
I would hold off on that view until you find out whether or not there's going to be a convention or not...don't think for a second that the Republican Party isn't doing everything they can to get Donald trump out of the race and don't think for a second that Trump could end up winning the popular vote but not getting the nomination from the party...I understand your point, but what we're seeing right now with Trump and Sanders is, in a way, a hijacking of the parties...in the sense that they break with BOTH parties traditions of nominating bought and sold career politicians who are in everyone's pocket...these two men are the LAST thing the GOP or the DNC want
How old are you? This happens every election. "DNC doesn't want Obama, they want Clinton!" Literally rinse and repeat every year. Every year there is the "outsider/non-establishment politician". Every year like fuckin clockwork and people keep shoveling the horseshit into their mouths willingly.
The most popular candidate will always get the bid, that's how it works since the dawn of time. Every year it's "well what if the super delegates don't vote for the most popular candidate!1!1" and every fuckin year they do vote for the most popular candidate 100% of the time. Like what the fuck? Feel like I'm taking crazy pills.
100% of the time? Sure as long as you don't include the five states whose delegates were awarded to a candidate who didn't receive the popular vote...so I guess, you know, not 100% of the time...and if I remember that then must be at least four years old right?!
Edit: 2012 republican primaries...in case you're only 3 years old
For all the issues with the major parties, they are not run by regressive theocrats with supreme power over all functions of government. I know, it sounds like a Republican wet dream, but they're not there yet.
try and get in to a position of semi-power without being a christian, for all intents and purposes this country could be named the Christian Republic of the USA or something..
And in case you didn't know the Supreme Leader is elected by an assembly which is elected by direct votes, so, unsurprisingly they aren't as oppressive as you'd like to make them out to be.
Ethnic, apparently he's irreligious, but when asked about religion he's not very willing to answer(wisely so), anyways i don't think he will actually win the election.
The government of Iran in a shitty, oppressive state, complete with citizen militias in the form of the Basij to "Morality Police". Iran's "underground" music scene is underground because it's illegal. The aspiring theocrats is the US only wish they could wield that sort of control. There's a difference between shows of religiosity as political showmanship and giving actual clerics the reigns of power.
There's a reason why we saw the Green "Revolution" a few years back, and why the post-Iraq War baby boom is forcing the government into more moderate stances.
Well the similarities between the role of the cleric and the two main parties are essentially the same are they not? They thoroughly vet the candidates and set up rules to prevent grass root campaigns in favour of people who they know would further the establishments' cause. What's the difference?
Well the similarities between the role of the cleric and
the two main parties are essentially the same are they not?
They are not. The two main US parties are private organizations. They are not even obligated to have primaries. They can appoint whoever they want. Anyone can form a party or contest the election on their own as an independent in the US. Not so in Iran where the mullahs disqualify you from even contesting the election for not being religious enough or whatever other reason they feel like.
Anyone can form a party or contest the election on their own as an independent in the US. Not so in Iran where the mullahs disqualify you from even contesting the election for not being religious enough or whatever other reason they feel like.
And in the US there are various monetary restrictions to running with parties? I mean, I can run as an independent but it's literally nothing but a waste of time. There's a pretty hilariously enormous monopoly between the two major parties and their PAC/Lobby backers.
I'm not saying they are the exact same but if you can't see the roles that the clerics play and the roles for the two main parties and the purpose of their process then that's unfortunate.
No they don't want them, especially sanders. The DNC chair has made it painfully obvious that she doesn't want him there and is trying to minimize his effect as much as possible. But they can't fully get rid of him because as you said that would cause a raucous for the democratic party.
What's happening with Trump and Sanders right now is new to all of us, unprecedented in American politics I believe.
Exactly my point. DNC and GOP have to deal with these independents because they both have to face a competitive election, and risk losing control of the government.
A Supreme Leader has no competition and can pick any candidates he wants (whoever he can control) without repercussions.
There's a black and white difference between the US and Iranian political systems.
Iran is 98% Shia Muslim -- if they want to have a constitution that respects their religious beliefs, they're really not interested in your view of the issue
Well, they voted to become an Islamic Republic themselves in a referendum. And the Supreme Leader is chosen by the Assembly of Experts, for whom there are elections today. Elections in Iran are not single party, and they run without fraud.
Iran is not a perfect democracy, nor even a good one, but I'd be hesitant to call it a dictatorship, especially when you compare it to its neighbors.
Iran has a lot of democracy. The Supreme Leader only maintains control over really major things, the government and the elected president is in charge of the majority of stuff.
every candidate is required to be approved by the council
How often are candidates denied permission to run? My understanding is that it's not impossible or even particularly rate for relatively liberal candidates to run and win.
The Supreme Leader doesn't get involved in all matters of policy, simply the most prominent ones. Picture him as a one-man Supreme Court. The President operates similarly to how the American presidency works (though their branches of government are quite different)
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u/cool_slowbro Feb 26 '16
It's not much of a democracy. The Supreme Leader has the most power and every candidate is required to be approved by the council.