First of All, Let’s be Real Friendly Here, Okay? My Name is Norm. Secondly, Your Coaching Days Are Over

While ED is clearly not very excited about the results of the recent election, it’s been a breath of fresh air to hear politicians speak like human being’s again and not like wind up dolls. It was becoming increasingly difficult to find any motivation to write as the media coverage consisted of the same 10 soundbites being replayed over and over and over and over and…

Over.

Now we can concentrate on ideas again and not on trying to convince everyone else why they’re wrong. Everyone let out a loud “Dean-esque” yelp. It’ll make you feel better, promise.

“We’re going to South Carolina and Oklahoma and Arizona and North Dakota and New Mexico. We’re going to California and Texas and New York!”

Anyhow, back to business. What this country needs is a truly relevant third party. Although it’s not likely to happen anytime soon, a legitimate case can be made as to why the moderates on both sides of the aisle should join hands and kick the extremes of each party to the curb.

As written in a previous post, there are three divergent views in the GOP currently; those of the religious right, those of moderate Republicans and those of traditional, policy-minded conservative Republicans. The religious right as a group share very little actual policy belief with the moderate and conservative portion of the GOP.

The religious right is defined simply by the belief that the strict moral code defined by the Bible should also be the moral code for all of society. If the roles were reversed and the Democratic Party was in favor of Biblical views and the GOP was in favor of abortion and gay marriage rights, ED has no doubt that the religious right would’ve voted Democratic. That’s to say that economic and foreign policy and other similar matters aren’t the top issues for that voting segment. In fact, it seems that the religious right SHOULD be more aligned with Democrats other than two or three key issues. Granted they’re fairly significant key issues.

Anyhow, the moderates and conservatives clearly share many of the same values in regards to the federal government having less of a role in society. There’s clearly a popular and sizable portion of the GOP that isn’t that far removed from much of the Clinton-era Democrats, who also believed in the reduction of government, a global economy and that government shouldn’t be involved in ALL aspects of a person’s life, not just those relating to taxes and property rights.

Although I have no idea of the numbers, it would be interesting to see what would happen if Bush continues to alienate guys like John McCain and Chuck Hegel. I think McCain has the popularity and the respect of enough people on both sides of the aisle, and in the public-at-large, to throw an enormous wrench into American politics by creating a bond with moderate Democrats and forming a third-party.

As the Sports Guy would say, “this needs to happen.”

Headline Quote Movie of Origin: Hoosiers
Character: Norman Dale
Setting: Upon entering his first practice at Hickory High, new head coach Norman Dale finds George running drills. He’s not enthused. Upon telling George that his coaching days are over arises the best line of the movie… “Look, mister, there’s…. two kinds of dumb, uh… guy that gets naked and runs out in the snow and barks at the moon, and, uh, guy who does the same thing in my living room. First one don’t matter, the second one you’re kinda forced to deal with.” Take THAT Norman Dale. But, Normy got the last laugh when his team of small town hicks pulled the greatest upset of all-time by winning the Indiana boys basketball championship. Cue tear dripping down cheek.
The quote is relevant to this story how?: The third-party system outlined by ED is about enacting system-bending reform. It would be unprecedented and would only result from a truly awful time in our history… one that many anti-Bush citizens can envision. The story of coach Norman Dale, he of lifetime banishment from college athletics, being united with the doormat Hoosiers of Hickory High, is of a similar situation.

If anyone reads a story speaking to the need for a third party system, particularly resulting from the recent election, please send it ED's way. Thanks!

Contact El Duderino at jaipf@hotmail.com.