They would need to be replaced, too. Obviously.

My favorite are those, like the person from the other thread you posted, that claim to support the concept of an outsider in principle, but insist that they should be safe, sane and responsible. Oh, is that all? Why didn't anyone think of that before?!

Not unlike certain individuals of both sexes that insist that people they date must be perfect manifestations of human beauty. A wonderful idea... but I can't help to notice how many of the people that stick to this notion wind up being alone.

Those that discuss picking and choosing the perfect outsider, and by implication accepting the status quo if none can be found, don't seem to want to factor actually winning into their equation.

Step 1 - Find perfect replacement candidate

Step 2 - ???

Step 3 - Profit!!!

What they leave out:

Step 2 - Overcome the enormous momentum behind The Machine while presenting a unified target for both wings of if. Do so in a climate in which 35% of the people vote along party lines, while 65% don't show up at the polls. Also do so in a social climate that is, to say the very lease, interesting. The Kardashian Age. Oh yeah... and in 2016 they may also need to overcome the Trump juggaurnaut.

Say... let's grab Ralph Nader again. Nice, reasonable man. And a consumer advocate!!

The really sad thing is that Slashdot contains many fans of his, most if not all of whom have read the Hitchhiker series, that will nonetheless still discuss Democrat vs. Republican with a straight face. They still argue about which Career Politician would be best, or suggest that John McAfee is too crazy to be President, blah blah blah.

People: throw your Hitchhiker's Guide away. You don't deserve to own it.

And? Did you have a point there?

It's easy and predictable to sit back and call John McAfee crazy. It is also unhelpful.

Some of the nice, responsible people that do this actually believe that the system of government in place in the US is fully functional and healthy. I can't say much to these people except: see you at the finish line.

The remaining people with functioning brains realize that many, many things are going horribly wrong with the US system of government. In fact a majority of Americans believe this today. Trust in government is at an all time low. For these people, even if they disagree on the specifics, clearly things are not going well. Many even doubt for any future at all if we continue down the same course.

And yet many of these people will also stand up and say McAfee is crazy. Well so what? Beyond that, will anything be done in the absence of a crazy person to attempt it? To win one would have to usurp the Political Machine by defeating both the Republicans and Democrats in the election, the whole time thwarting their joint efforts to protect their system. They will literally be walking around with a target on their back. Who but a crazy person would attempt it?

It also shouldn't be forgotten that crazy often comes part and parcel with a whole host of other traits and characteristics that are very desirable. That Mr. McAfee has at least some spark of these is evident in the success that he has met with in the past. To dismiss him as a gibbering loon would not only be a mistake, it would be completely in error.

Really? A candidate with a technology background declaring as his main platform some of the issues that generate the largest comment response on Slashdot? That doesn't belong on the front page?

This is absolutely 100% accurate. The system is designed that way, and the participants all have a vested interest in keeping it that way. There will be no door opening... if America is to have a future it will need to be kicked in. Time will tell if McAfee is the one to do it, but it is interesting that he states that he will defer to a candidate with similar goals that had a better chance of winning. I believe that he does realize that this door requires kicking, and wants to see it kicked even if, and perhaps especially if, it isn't with his foot. Whether or not he realizes that POTUS is but a small piece of that puzzle will likely determine how successful he is. One perspective on this is presented here: http://draft-back-america.org/...

Right... because sane has done so well for us. http://dsi2016.org/

Amen and hallelujah!! If nothing else, his election would give people like cold_fjord brain seizures. That alone would be worth it.

Certainly. That would be much worse than electing someone determined and committed to continue the rape and pillage of the American Dream. Let's keep electing "safe" people that will not only never promote meaningful change, but who are actually committed through their affiliations to work against it. Yes. Stable, predictable people have worked very well so far. Let's keep electing them. - Mothers Against Real Change

You're not the only person to think this way... http://draft-back-america.org/ is determined to put a candidate for The People on the firing line this year. McAffee will do. If there is any future to speak of it can only be at the expense of the Career Politicians. Put them on the UNEMPLOYMENT LINE in 2016!!!

dsi2016.org Sheen in Sixteen!

Bootlicking swine.

The problem that you describe will remain until those in control of these so-called "third-parties" come to their senses and pool their resources against the common enemy. Instead, the vanity and "purity" of each of these parties has not allowed them to even consider a scenario where they would support a candidate that isn't dyed in the wool for their "cause." At some point you would think that it would dawn on these people that a properly functioning government would allow all perspectives an opportunity to influence policy and a voice in government. The goal should be to obtain a properly functioning government. And none of the "3rd-parties" is powerful enough to do this alone. To someone that believes that we need genuine change to the way we do business, the small-mindedness of these people is infuriating. They squander their resources year after year and help out the major parties by helping to support the illusion of choice. draft-sheen-in-2016.org

The answer is here: draft-sheen-in-2016.org