Zakaria explains why US political candidates are getting more extreme

CNN's Fareed Zakaria analyzes the divided US political landscape ahead of the November midterm elections, citing our primary system as a source of today's polarization.
#CNN #news

[@canwelook]

Watching the US fall from world leader to Banana Republic is sad

[@bryan805]

Welcome to Biden’s America

[@gregoryleewalker]

Really? You just tried to overthrow a free and fair election and you talk constantly about locking up your political opponents which is right out of the Banana Republic play book. I don't hear Democrats running around saying that we need to lock up all the republicans that disagree with us.

[@Daishi85]

@@bryan805 welcome to the continuation of Trump's America, bc he's still in power apparently

[@rileyhoffman6629]

At this point in our history, the ONLY person who can change things is Merrick Garland. History will blame him for the ultimate destruction of America. Tragic.

[@sumiland6445]

Don't count us out yet! I'm very hopeful 🙂 I'm willing to work to bring our country back to a better America 🇺🇸 Honesty, work locally, be kind, offer help 👍

[@mikeboy0001]

Not too long ago, people where ashamed to be dumb, these days they wear it with a badge of honour

[@queent3343]

Oh the fear of indoctrination!!!!!! It isn't funny. But it has to be said.

[@Tallacus]

I wish they were in extreme at giving us health care and taking care of inflation

[@stevenhenry5267]

Republicans are literally offering nothing in regards to inflation.

[@rogerpennel1798]

But yet the GOP won't denounce these MAGAts that have killed in Trump's name because they don't want to alienate the next crop of Trump's insurrectionists. Donnie's DARK MAGA Death Toll: 22 dead & 24 wounded - Patrick Crusius - MAGA El Paso, TX Walmart shooter. 17 dead - Nikolas Cruz - MAGA Parkland, FL school shooter. 11 dead - Robert Bowers - MAGA Pittsburgh, PA synagogue shooter. 10 dead - Payton S. Gendron - MAGA Buffalo, NY grocery store shooter. 10 dead - Dimitrios Pagourtzis - MAGA Santa Fe, TX school shooter. 9 dead - Dylann Roof - MAGA Charleston, SC church shooter. 7 dead & 24 wounded - MAGA Robert E. Crimo III, Chicago 4th of July shooter. 6 dead - Alex Bissonnette - MAGA Quebec Mosque shooter. 3 dead & 16 wounded - Santino William Legan - MAGA Gilroy festival shooter. 1 dead & many injured - Alex Fields - MAGA vehicular homicide Charlottesville, NC. 1 dead & 3 wounded - John Earnest - MAGA synagogue shooter.

[@JackassJoePotato]

Didn't Obamacare work out?

[@kevinserafin2024]

i know right , freakin democrats extremist

[@joeferreti9442]

The current inflation is a matter of global circumstances and is not really in the hands of any US government.

[@neondystopian]

Extremism only occurs when dialogue fails. When you refuse to listen, the people you refuse to listen to have to become more extreme in order to get your attention.

[@iantroutt6972]

I think extremism breeds when people don't have a good understanding of other people except for others who live in their bubble and think everyone must think like me because I have been enlightened. I feel like extremists are people who think in black and white while moderates are people who are able to see in between the lines and be more easy going towards dialogue.

[@neondystopian]

@@iantroutt6972 that's how misunderstanding breeds, extremism only manifests itself when dialogue stops. It wouldn't matter if we couldn't understand each other as long as we were continuing dialogue and putting a concerted effort into understanding our positions. If that dialogue were to stop, it would show that either one or both parties no longer wish to achieve understanding. When words fail, violence is ,quite literally, the only option that remains. Well, other than completely giving up and compromising on your way of life so you could avoid conflict by _joining_ the other side, but most people aren't willing to do that.

[@iantroutt6972]

@@neondystopian Good point, I think you explained that very well. Thanks

[@neondystopian]

@@iantroutt6972 Yw!

[@RojaJaneman]

Not true at all. Colonialism has been an extremist form. Completely unprovoked and always began over time and in small quantity. Until a critical mass was reached.

[@madphantom92]

They are so extreme for issues we don't care about.

[@clintonkildepsteen3982]

💯

[@cykkm]

We do. Think not one step ahead, but just two. It's the time of the greatest international crisis since WW2, worse than '62. If we do not have functional presidency, Xi will play the Taiwan trick. This would be the end of the world as we know it: who controls our semiconductors, controls us. I know they're crazy and get elected on a crazy platform, their issue is not quality of life, or education, or whatever are normal human issues are. Their issue is “Biden in office.” But this is exactly the only office that prevents the fatal scenario.

[@jody6851]

Like men can get pregnant? Or a troubled 10-year-old can have all the problems solved by being told he/she has the wrong gender followed by suggesting genital mutilation and puberty blockers encouraged by some far Left lunatic teacher who convinces the child this is the answer ... and no need to tell the parents? Or how about the right to an abortion on demand no questions asked all the way up to the very last moment of the third trimester ... or even after birth. Those seem to be issues Leftists care about. Promoting that is. But if anyone on the Right dares question this ideology, they're branded extremists.

[@tommyriley9550]

This is what every rational person has been saying for the last six years. We as a society have failed at seeing what the internet can do and failed at educating people about that danger. I personally believe we need to put everything we have into educating the next generation.... It' seems ours is already doomed

[@fkthedemlibscum7026]

Once the Republicans get rid of the Dems & Libs, America will be wonderful.

[@suezbell1]

Our nation needs to be managed for the benefit of all Americans -- not just to profit the minority and that requires some serious adjustment in education and social habits. Humanity needs to outgrow the primitive myths that teach the willful ignorance of accepting information and direction with unquestioning blind faith. Logic and reason need to be taught instead of ignorance; compassion and practicality needs to be taught instead of greed and powerlust.

[@tommyriley9550]

@@fkthedemlibscum7026 I can talk with you I'm not judging. The one thing that I will say is I don't think you have a good grasp of world history wich leeds into American history. The ideal of America is something that might not have been taught to you. For that I'm sorry because it's a really good lesson in humanity.

[@fkthedemlibscum7026]

@@tommyriley9550 ... I have been studying American & World history for over 50 years, so your assumption is flawed.

[@GmaMom]

@@fkthedemlibscum7026 Grandpa you need to get back on your medication.

[@stevenhenry5267]

Because Americans have been conditioned to consistently vote against their own interests by corporations.

[@Fvpigpen26]

And watch this CNN #FAKENEWS

[@suzzyacosta5027]

Are you of what you are saying

[@Slo-ryde]

Spot on Steven!

[@suzzyacosta5027]

@@Slo-ryde why, what has Steven do ?

[@JjLl2221]

Spot. On. Best analysis I’ve heard. Look to Brazil today too. Italy?

[@cesspooljunkie1573]

The censored internet proves me accurate And So does that package in Michelle Obamas trousers

[@theparadoxicaltouristtrave9320]

I totally disagree about spot on It didn't mention ranked choice voting. It implied that the positions held by the majority of Americans which were supported by democrats were "radical "

[@clairerobinson7658]

I look forward to your Sunday talks. Much respect.❤

[@mainstmechanical7932]

Well thank you I love talking on Sunday! Vote Red!

[@nmarks]

Thank you Fareed, exactly my assessment.

[@Doug-mu2ev]

Wow, learned something new, thank you! I would not have understood the weakness of the primary system without this analysis. Question: is there something that isn’t the smoke fill room nor primary as we know it? I.e. how about ranked choice or open primaries?

[@rdelrosso2001]

Ranked Choice seems to be the way to go.

[@ronschlorff7089]

@@rdelrosso2001 yes, but that gave us two republicans running for only one senate seat in Alaska, sure want that? A strong showing by them in November, which is likely, even in places like NY and Ore, may mean only choice are republicans on the ballot in 2024 for national congressional seats. How would you like republican A or republican B on the ballot for president? Come on man, think it through!

[@tsBeall]

Ranked choice or proportional representation - which is actually what most European democratic systems use. I agree with @Fareed’s contextual setup but (i think quite unusually )he really misses the mark with his recommendation. The Best alternative is not a backroom decision by party bosses ~ it’s proportional representation or some form of ranked voting. There is no mystery here and plenty of data to crouch on this-one example-just look at the results of the SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT and how MSPs are chosen.

[@kennethlacewell1517]

@@ronschlorff7089 Actually two Republicans on the ballot isn't a bad thing. The centerist candidate is almost certain to win.

[@thelonegerman2314]

The Truth is No Matter to which Party is in power, America is and Always was A Fascist State Ran by A Oligarchy Using The Pretense of being Open and Democratic More Evident Today, After COVID and Now the Ukraine War

[@krustymadrid4953]

"How did we get here" The media has some culpability

[@clintonkildepsteen3982]

The media has most* culpability

[@AR-rn8ok]

Also is who click on radical stories about radical people

[@ronschlorff7089]

Let's call a spade a spade, the mainstream media, like this guy and his fellows, on CNN, is the propaganda arm of the Democrats, like old Pravda was to the USSR, they are to blame. He was in front fanning the flames on the Russia Russia hoax, and excusing the BLM and antifa riots a few years ago, remember? Come on man!!

[@CaliTXman]

The Left went insane, propped up by media and govt institutions. The Right reacted. Cause and effect.

[@JeffreySmith7777]

Americans realized MSM lied starting with the Covid plandemic.

[@lornenoland8098]

The American founders knew full well the dangers of populism and direct democracy. The original system saw a weak president, senators appointed by state legislatures, and no primaries. Over time we have creeped farther from this balanced and functional system. The President is overpowered, with radicals wanting them to be near dictators. Senators are popularly elected so no different from congressional representatives, and as Fareed so expertly explained, primaries that appeal to the most radicalized elements of society. Now when we throw Gerrymandering into the mix, we are as close to dysfunctional a system as possible without completely collapsing. If the trends don’t reverse, it will collapse completely.

[@sumdude4281]

This comment 1000% is right.

[@phillipaclemons7261]

Why does the USA still allow the governing party to undertake re- districting.(is it stated in your constitution?) Most countries have independent bodies doing this. It is the only way to eliminate gerrymandering.

[@Mdebacle]

Electing Senators by legislature would make the problem worse. Senators now must run a statewide race, the legislatures are gerrymandered.

[@waynehersel3965]

I had a friend who argued that a benevolent dictator would be the most effective form of government. I thought that he was insane. He doesn't seem so crazy anymore.

[@Slo-ryde]

@@waynehersel3965 give an example of a country run by a benign dictator.

[@TheHighlanderprime]

Although a frightening specter of where we’re heading, great educational presentation! Thanks Fareed!

[@patriciajump9511]

Thank you. You can't fix things until you describe them clearly. After a clear description, you know where to begin, what to do, and how to describe and set the goal that will mean the thing is fixed.

[@okorno22]

Same happening too here in Ghana

[@gmbenz2482]

Fareed Zakaria's explanation of why candidates are more extreme today, points to the symptoms rather than the cause of the problem. There were major Supreme Court decisions including Buckley vs Valeo which ruled that money equals speech, and then Citizens United vs FEC, which blew the doors off any limits that existed to regulate the size of the donations from corporate entities to political candidates, to the extent that they don't even have to identify who themselves. If we knew who they were we would be able to make better decisions as to who benefits the most from any given piece of legislation.

[@Christopher-py1rw]

Zakaria is a politcal hack! No mention of Democrats are saying! They're already setting the 2022 election up! kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5K2n5d4eqeYe80

[@Userkzb20253]

It’s a sad phenomena, heading toward self destruction.

[@JJUnohu]

Men becoming women....killing babies is now virtuous...legal drug use.....a child can give consent....government sponsored gambling....teaching that one entire race are oppressors....drag queens dancing provocatively for children.....and on and on

[@suezbell1]

I wish you were wrong.

[@bryan805]

It’s amazing how quickly things have gone downhill over the past 2 years. As they say, elections have consequences.

[@Daishi85]

@@bryan805 more like 6 years

[@Yvonne-1]

@@bryan805 From another country looking on I would say it's been at least eight years, with yoir country condtantly imploding on itself. I would venture to say that if the Republicans don't win, then be ready for the US to catch fire and explode with all those bombs inside. There is such a divide in your country, so much animosity, and with a former president who is a manipulative thug, tirante, cult leader, etc, it's not looking good. I'm concerned for 8 Nov and further, I'm also concerned for the war in Ukraine. Putin gets any leeway he can evenly devastate Europe and, in turn, the rest of the world.

[@thundershirt1]

Some proposals to fix this (rejecting the “smoke filled room”): ranked choice voting. The voter selects, say, 4 choices. If someone gets a plurality they get elected. If not, the #4 candidate (in popularity) drops out, and their votes reapportioned. If your #1 was #4, your #1 vote goes to your #2, and so on. Nobody’s vote is ever “wasted.” Another, at least for a limited period of time, is for the voter to be able to select “none of the above.” The previous candidates are all fired, and the thing is run again. So much of our government is on regulatory auto pilot as it is.

[@iantroutt6972]

Are you proposing that the president be voted based off of how you rank the candidates? so example: I vote for #1 to be my primary choice but if he is not selected then I vote for #4 as my choice but if they aren't selected than so on? I like that idea. can anyone think of any issues that might arise from this proposal?

[@JohnSmith-tl8pq]

@@iantroutt6972 It is how the Australian electoral system functions - preferential voting.

[@cykkm]

RC comes close to the fairest system! I think Australia is using something like this.

[@cykkm]

@@iantroutt6972 Joe Scott selects a few countries (must be in both top 10 on two rankings), and parses their voting systems: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJixgpigq62MjLM

[@kemitchell]

We've used ranked-choice voting here in Oakland, California for several cycles now. You bubble in a table, rather than just a list, but it's not hard, especially by mail, from home, at your own pace. I mailed my ballot last Saturday, got an e-mail notification that USPS had received the same day, and got another e-mail that it had been counted by the county on Sunday.

[@keithdyer2370]

Fareed is right, but he forgot something else that the US and the UK have in common: single-member plurality voting, also known as first-past-the-post.

[@jcc4373]

Thanks for this thought provoking contribution.

[@mikeh5431]

Absolutely spot on!!

[@DoraDuncan]

I shudder to hear this.

[@planetg2125]

You got it Fareed. The primary system is just a system for noise which feeds right in to social media

[@saintpeterspeters1053]

What happened to mainstream media?? FakeNews??😂😂😂😂😂

[@queent3343]

Just another echo chamber.

[@Llkc60]

Yes, it's a good technical analysis on how they do it, but doesn't explain why the center stepped away from actively participating in party politics. This is the tough but to crack, and one they don't want to crack

[@DrinkTheKoolAid62]

MTG - the queen of the "accuse the enemy of the crimes for which you are guilty" faction

[@theparadoxicaltouristtrave9320]

Most of the democratic party's positions are mainstream. Almost every change made under Biden is >55% popular. And I don't know if it was ignorance or something else that kept you from mentioning ranked choice voting, which would encourage people to vote for more popular positions rather than listen to bland lies.

[@bryan805]

🤣 you’re in for a rude awakening when the people vote with their feet in a few days

[@theparadoxicaltouristtrave9320]

@@bryan805 just because someone votes one way doesn't mean that it's in their best interests. I think both sides should acknowledge that. Also my point is that the dems aren't radical. (In general) you can be against a party and not have that party radical.

[@chelittle6433]

That answers simple it's because there's no accountability being enforced. Until accountability is enforced the extreme b******* and lies is going to continue. And the accountability must be paid to the highest and fullest account for each and every single one of them up to and including the death penalty for high treason.

[@suezbell1]

The fox is in control of security for the henhouse.

[@bryan805]

Agreed. We must ensure this time that elections are secure to prevent a repeat of the 2020 shenanigans.

[@rileyhoffman6629]

At this point in our history, the ONLY person who can change things is Merrick Garland. History will blame him for the ultimate destruction of America.

[@bryan805]

@@minutemeditations14All fortunately this is already in progress with multiple law suits being filed against activist media outlets like CNN for their destructive lies.

[@chelittle6433]

@@suezbell1 not for long

[@petersdotter1]

Mass marketing via internet has unforseen consequences. Before this, political commentary was confined to the editorial section of the newspaper or local TV. Crazies were not such a loud voice, and stayed in the "fringe" category. Now, their comments are broadcast loudly for days and given the same weight as legitimate discourse.

[@onomatopoeia162003]

Don't forget about the Senate too.... Just like what Lawrence O'donnell talked about

[@mjsemailid]

It is a very good point backed bu data and experience. Time for parties and election system of primaries to change.

[@chrissaris6869]

Enlighting analysis! Thank you for that!

[@suzzyacosta5027]

Oh yeah

[@Mindset19877]

Party based model will eventually kill our democracy one day. In the party based model, media plays a great role in polarizing us. We need to shift our thinking from a party based model to a content based model (eg education, job, safety, healthcare, climate etc) and more on governance (eg wisdom and decision making) to ensure our government works.

[@iantroutt6972]

Honestly, I would be willing to say ( and this is based off of my own experience so I could be incorrect in the general sense) that most Americans tire from the media and really don't give a damn about it because more than not we think there is an agenda trying to be sold to us. If you're fed enough garbage, you tend to stop eating it so you tend to stop listening to the media all together or at least the crappy part of it and more the news that is hopefully not biased or at least get a bite of news from multiple areas. Water consumption in California is a big issue as well as inflation. I'd like to hear about more solutions that people can make than just "we should do something about it from politicians". True I am just saying "We should do something about it" but I don't know how money and economics works for the inflation part very well and for the water supply, has anyone thought of purifying ocean water like taking salt and other impurities out of it so Cali can get some water? I think this is actually being done but i'm not sure.

[@dreamcoyote]

Social media as well as conventional media have shifted things. The other "behind the scenes" factor is campaign financing intertwining unrelated campaigns. Both parties expect candidates to raise money.. and give a big chunk of that back into various bodies within the party for redistribution. Control over that shared funding has driven things in certain directions, based partly on how much specific candidates can raise. It's not about who has the best solutions/ideas, but who can raise the most funds. Beneath the candidates and fundraising is an industry of people who live off of that process, making ads, taking in cash and policy proposals, yadda yadda. It goes beyond places making gobs of commercials and into an almost venture-capitalism style of fundraising. All that definitely hasn't helped :(

[@Mindset19877]

@@dreamcoyote exactly , there is no difference in such democracy and other autocracy in the world , for example that of China. If few Billionaires can decide who should be the candidates then it’s not a people democracy. If we vote for contents, we can eliminate campaign financing. This is pure democracy.

[@serviustullus7204]

Why? Because of people like you, Fareed.

[@susannehartl3067]

Not sure about the French electoral system, but I can tell you about the German system: Germany has nineteen parties of consequence, thereof currently six in the German federal parliament, but local and specific parties in federal states exist, too for example the party for the Danish minority in Schleswig-Holstein. Voters have two votes, one for a candidate, the second for the party. It is posible to vote for a candidate and give the second vote to a party the candidate is not part of. The candidate which wins the direct vote in his/her district has the seat secure. The rest of the seats would be distributed in accordance to their share of the second votes. Parties who don't exceed the 5% barring clause won't get a seat in parliament. The party leaders are selected by vote during party assemblies by delegates of each district. Representatives and delegates are voted by their chapter in their district. The current chancellor Olaf Scholz (Social Democrats, 25.7%) has been elected by the parliament. He has formed a coalition with the Greens (14.8%), third in ranking in parliamentary seats, and the Free Liberals (not to confuse with the American definition!), forth in ranking 11.5%. This coalition represents 52% of the electorare. In Germany every German residedent is registered at the municipal office and if holding a German citizenship automatically registered to vote and got his/her ballot by mail several weeks before the election. Every German citizen has the right to vote, either by showing up to the poll station or by mail, regardless whether a convicted felon or not. It is a basic right, enshrined in our constitution.

[@oldnepalihippie]

Excellent anyalsis Fareed! So what this says to me is that the grand experiment of American democracy has failed, and this is the end of days, and just the way it shakes out of the petri dish. I suppose you could run the Sim again, and expect different results, but Albert E. explained why that dunna work.

[@THETRAVELGOD410]

Every Vote Counts 🔵🇺🇸 18-99

[@igorm6944]

blue wave is coming

[@phillipaclemons7261]

Yet some states try to suppress the vote, eg few drop boxes in poor areas or having to line up for hours. In my country we have to vote, get fined $60 without a good excuse

[@Bill-jc1fy]

I remember when Fareed played linebacker for Green Bay in the late 90's. He was ruthless on and off the field. In a game against the Lions in 98 he had 12 solo tackles and 3 sacks. A perennial all pro, in a bar in Philadelphia he once took on Lawrence Taylor and Ray Lewis and beat them so unmercifully that they both missed the rest of the season. His nickname was Ferocious Farheed. Al Davis passed on the opportunity to sign him saying " I like tough guys but that guy is a maniac.

[@belticoco]

Thank you for these informations

[@BMrider75]

Primaries is a daft way to select the candidates for political office. Get dark money out of politics, and have an independent organisation set political boundaries.

[@mattt4163]

No. The issue is that you pushed and pushed and pushed and now finally…..you’re getting push back on your extremist views.

[@Darhan62]

Andrew Yang has understood this for a long time. It all comes down to the incentives built into the structure of the political system.

[@GmaMom]

We’re screwed!😢

[@saymyname8925]

D-duh

[@GmaMom]

@@KaleidoscopicPalindrome Bullshit! You are the problem!🤬

[@GmaMom]

@@KaleidoscopicPalindrome When you can have a civil conversation without violence, I might listen.

[@GmaMom]

@@KaleidoscopicPalindrome January 6th! Need I say more??!?

[@GmaMom]

@@KaleidoscopicPalindrome I don’t know who you are…you have a picture of Trump on Truth Social ( his site) and it says Trump Watch….so what am I supposed to think. I’m sick of the division, violence, conspiracy theories, and everything else going on out there. I was raised with values of honesty, civility, accountability, …none of which is going on in this environment. The crazies are getting crazier…the Cult is getting bigger…and Donald Trump cares about NO ONE but himself. If you aren’t kissing the ring of this dictator…he’ll do whatever he can to destroy you. The absolute ignorance is what is so unsettling.

[@alpine1600s]

Impeached for FAILING TO SECURE THE BORDER. Which was in the oath he took upon inauguration. 🤔

[@dreamcoyote]

Gerrymandering hurts both parties. The ones doing it get more extreme so they can rev up their base (that they defined themselves, geographically). It also ends up with at least one district that they are expected to lose, and that one will go extreme in the other direction both because the voting block is concentrated but also to campaign against the extremists who gerrymandered. It, along with campaign financing, have done an immense amount of damage.

[@augustus331]

The Netherlands and Germany have a parliamentary system with proportional representation. 1% of the vote, 1% of the seats, etc. It gives voice to everyone, proportionally and therefore a more accurate representation of the views and priorities of all people. We in the Netherlands have an animal rights party, market-liberals, social democrats, far-right, christian-right, green parties, etc.

[@aecs422]

I enjoy listening to your posts! Always relevant for me. Thank you.

[@Palindrome78]

Cowardice and insecurity. Confusion and fear. These all lead to anger which fuels hatred which can lead to extremism. Must be exhausting to let fear/hate control you.

[@jumpoutofriver]

A good topic.

[@pnnnair7824]

As the cliche goes "grass seems always green on the other side". We in India have been experiencing what Fareed thinks is right and can't say its the right solution too.

[@TheHighlanderprime]

It’s not about right as much as better and more balanced.

[@saurabhbanerjee2998]

Very insightful

[@johnmiranda2307]

“Germany was the dress rehearsal for the United States.”

[@thelonegerman2314]

Amurderca Deserves Everything that it is Getting, Now and in the Future,A country so Blessed with Production, Ingenuity, Land, Creativity, Technology, Abusing Humanity through Wars, Wealth Inequality, Racism,,. Corporate Welfare and greed

[@jamestajiri58]

He said the extremes dominate over the mainstream. No. The extremes have become the mainstream.

[@lexruptor]

*the extreme There's only the one extreme, the extreme right.

[@daveretash9153]

Thank you for this warning because we are truly at a tipping point. It is not over, stay calm, steady, keep learning, and voting.

[@chrisanderson7820]

He's right and it's not just primaries, its also first past the post voting and voluntary voting. Compulsory voting smooths and averages out political views across the whole population instead of the hands of those who are angry enough to get out to vote.

[@buckrepublican8782]

Well, we need to change that!

[@congondubz6257]

Is @Fareed Zakaria also getting fired from CNN.....🤔

[@stevenhenry5267]

Lol. Why?

[@corydor4218]

I read these posts and think the 1st Amendment should read "Every Citizen Is Guaranteed the Freedom to Shut to F**K Up"

[@manofooladi6904]

Thanks Zakaria 😊

[@gregthompson3633]

I am exhausted watching all this listening to my friends. I live in utah and it hard and I agree with you. I was brought up in a different way. I left my party once I no longer understood them .wendy Thompson

[@b.robertson9042]

If you're going to speculate, do it in a way that helps. Report on how to get busy, working Democrats to the polls. Don't tell them it doesn't matter because of history.

[@seanhewson1341]

FJB!!!

[@invisible932]

Look into that

[@carolinezz8589]

Spot on. Two things to add; One, the very system of 2 parties means pitting one side against the other, us against them, a limited, binary choice, where mainstream people feel no party represents them. Two, why have district representatives in Washington? Districts should be represented in the state govs. The states should then send a number of reps from anywhere in their state to the House, much like senators. It would certainly improve the quality of representatives and give the majority a chance to elect non-extremists of any party or independent. And maybe time to put a few job requirements in place?

[@BePatient888]

Alaska solved this problem - ranked choice voting!

[@politican4thepeople303]

Always breaks down politics beautifully

[@erniehudson1]

Spot on!

[@Ryan-Fkrepublicnz]

THE ACTUAL Reason is NOT HAVING OPEN PRIMARIES. Other countries figured this out many decades ago, and have OPEN PRIMARIES which keeps the extreme candidates out. Combined with ranked choice voting (like in Alaska) this works pretty well...

[@nyworker]

Politics was never a 24/7 365 Day activity. Hence we are constantly bombarded by political discussions based in dichotomous arguments which hopelessly polarizes.

[@sheilaboston7051]

I couldn't believe that as soon as the 2020 election was over, the conversation turned towards 2024 and has been stuck there ever since. In my country, an election is called, the gov't goes into 'caretaker' mode and then there's a month of campaigning until election day. Most of the results are known within a couple of days and then the new gov't takes over. Rinse and repeat!

[@exiled_londoner]

As usual, Mr Zakaria takes a reasonable point and twists it to fit his own (and the network's) preferred political narrative. Thus, former British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn is dismissed as a 'totally unelectable far-Left leader', according to Mr Zakaria, who also misrepresents how the British Labour Party elects its leader. We do not have a system of 'Primaries' in the UK (no-one outside the USA does) and the Labour Party leader is elected by a vote amongst the party's individual members and affiliated organisations - isn't that how democratic organisations are supposed to operate? Jeremy Corbyn was deemed 'unelectable' due to a concerted campaign by the Tory Party, small but influential Zionist groups, the entrenched right wing within his own party, and the UK media (including the BBC, who always pander to the establishment) of smears and lies and character assassination... despite the fact that the policies he advocated were actually extremely popular. The problem in the USA is that the Primary system allows for populist campaigns to appeal to people who know nothing about politics, are not members of or volunteers for a political party, but merely 'register' themselves as supporters of a party. No other democracy in the world asks individuals to 'register' their political preference as a matter of course. And to do this without linking it to some form of interest in and commitment to political activity (ie. party membership) is actually very stupid and naturally favours candidates for office who have no real programme or policies but who merely play on populist themes and repeat meaningless slogans. When you add in the fact that US law allows people to hurl the most appalling accusations against others without any legal obligation to back them up with evidence, and the high proportion of ignorant 'low-information' voters, then you have a disaster in the making,.. and you have duly made it.

[@swordarmstudios6052]

Corbyn was a populist - and populism is cancer. It was an easily winnable election with a moderate labor. Britian is in the same position we are. We hate both our parties and so we pick the one that sucks that least as far as we can tell. Also complaining 'zionists' - That's like legit anti-semitism. Boris isn't great, but he never complained about Jews. The british people were wise in rejecting Corbyn. If the kind of people defending him are the kind of people who complain exactly how your complaining. This is a carbon copy of what a radical sounds like. Blaming other people when your preferred candidate loses, because those dumb voters didn't like what he was selling. If only those low-information voters possessed your political wisdom! If only they understood the greatness of Corbyn, and only if they saw threw the Zionist-capitalist ruse! Jesus man. Your a parody.

[@clydecessna737]

Once again Fareed gets it right.

[@napoleonibonaparte7198]

Remove primaries to the wider party and keep it within the party proper. The Tories avoided letting the vote go to the wider party by candidates dropping in the end. This is how the Tories ended up with a much more “practical” Sunak after a disastrous Truss.

[@paulaitix77]

the media is becoming waayyyy more extreme and shady on the fact checking, all for comments and likes, duh

[@Sandy-qs5og]

Fareed is the best in American journalism 👏.

[@dutchvanderlinde5004]

I disagree with the idea that part bosses should decide who runs in the elections. That’s dumb. Fact is more people need to read, question the facts, ask questions and go out and vote for what they believe and respect the results of the election.

[@jerolvilladolid]

A superpower in decline always gets chaotic political episodes. In the Roman empire of the 4th century, a few decades before the sack of rome by the ostrogoths, the empire had to be divided into 4 pieces by the tetrarchy, because they couldnt tolerate each other’s presence. And had four capitals farthest away from each other. History may be repeating itself yet again...

[@chrisbremner8992]

CNNs idea , let the owners of CNN pick the candidates.

[@NA-kr5uq]

Vs Fox which has picked Desantis

[@tedviens1]

A few days ago on a news service youtube video, I made one of my many Anti-Fascist, Anti-New Fascist Republican Party comments... Steven was kind enough to send me a long reply to my comment which at first I suspected of being a rejection. Writing back, I promised him that I would steal his reply and post it where it might make a difference. This is such a place. . Steven D 7 hours ago fascism is: "A system of government that exercises a dictatorship of the extreme right, typically through the merging of state and business leadership, together with belligerent nationalism." Mussolini was quite straightforward about all this. In a 1923 pamphlet titled "The Doctrine of Fascism" he wrote, "If classical liberalism spells individualism, Fascism spells government." But not a government of, by, and for We The People - instead, it would be a government of, by, and for the most powerful corporate interests in the nation. (It was actually Italian philosopher Giovanni Gentile who wrote the entry in the Encyclopedia Italiana that said: "Fascism should more appropriately be called corporatism because it is a merger of state and corporate power.") In 1938, Mussolini brought his vision of fascism into full reality when he dissolved Parliament and replaced it with the "Camera dei Fasci e delle Corporazioni" - the Chamber of the Fascist Corporations. Corporations were still privately owned, but now instead of having to sneak their money to folks and covertly write legislation, they were openly in charge of the government.

[@semyonbudyonny1895]

Comrades Lenin and Stalin fought for the common man. They would’ve approved of this attack on a vicious capitalist exploiter and political parasite; i.e. Pelosi & Co

[@melindaunknown6411]

And we all know, when fascism arrives and it doesn’t work out the way the republicans had hoped, they will turn around and blame Biden and the democrats.

[@Yvonne-1]

td/lr

[@tedviens1]

@@semyonbudyonny1895 Thanks... I needed a great belly laugh. You are probably a fantastic and servile mind puppet. Awesome. Have you thought about updating your chosen Puppeteers?

[@tedviens1]

@@Yvonne-1 That was my immediate impulsive response... But foolishly, I quickly scanned at best a sentence or two in most of the segments. Then I was hooked.

[@PermanentExile]

“Actual governance will come to a standstill.”

[@Christopher-py1rw]

You call spending money governance! That's why the U.S has the problem with inflation now!

[@donaldkasper8346]

Government is already at a standstill.

[@allanwest9384]

Good statements hope it happens.

[@lilyansah8665]

Zakaria has said it all. Democrats we can do this, to maintain the house and senate if we are determined & committed this midterms to go to the poll without fear or fail in unprecedented numbers to stop the GOP from it's plans to destroy our Democracy & country. Vote early to avoid long lines on election day Nov 8th 2022.

[@amandaherman]

💙

[@garry3229]

Exactly! Inflation and Crime rates rise and fall and those of us over 40 have seen this more than a few times and and no President or Administration have been able to solve either! None! Especially Republicans? And I'm not voting on a platform of issues that's temporary that no one has been able to solve? In 6 months or so when inflation and crime rates have leveled off like they always do and Republicans move on to the Border Wall or some other foolishness, like they always do when their lies don't have an impact, Abortion would still be illegal! I'm voting blue for Democracy and an Executive order from Biden or a majority Congress and Senate would change that on Abortion ruling, like Biden said he would! 👌

[@AlphaWeirdfootage]

You have a Ghanaian surname and you're a Democrat? Disappointing. You are no sister of mine.

[@susanavilez9302]

It is such a disgrace and insane.

[@greatAfricana]

THIS JOURNALIST IS SHAMELESS, CALLING OUT CERTAIN POLITICIANS AND IGNORING DEMOCRATS

[@doreenlewis5589]

Do you even understand what he is saying? He is warning that if if Republicans take control of the Senate in the midterms you can say goodbye to Democracy and welcome fascism in our country We will soon be Russia. Belarus China etc.

[@littledorrit6819]

More "both sides" nonsense. At this point increasing political violence is inevitable. This cycle won't heal itself organically.

[@chriseckert613]

If there was higher voter turnout in primaries, Zakaria's argument would fall flat. Get out and vote. Also, support the creation of a centrist third party!

[@theparadoxicaltouristtrave9320]

Can't have a third party in winner take all system. Ranked choice voting is required first.

[@eldenringer6466]

Stop calling them “deniers.” They’re just liars

[@pierreclifton1865]

What in your opinion was the Mueller Investigation??

[@marcleach6167]

Those so called liars are the only ones not denying basic reality

[@cnh1710]

Rigged elections have consequences

[@tableshaper4076]

Nope we are right. MAGA TIME NOV 8 BABY.

[@rdcampbell6413]

You always on point 🔩🔧

[@Christopher-py1rw]

Meaning to what you want to think! Here was what Clinton was saying about the midterms! Spare us! kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5K2n5d4eqeYe80

[@ohotnitza]

Quick poll: Who is staying in the US after November 8th?

[@Bergstromoliver]

Protect Liberal Democracy - Vote Democract To Save America

[@dslrrrrmusic1481]

They’re not getting extreme, they are cutting out the #BS and real ppl with realistic ideas are running..

[@stevenhenry5267]

Right wing nonsense.

[@dslrrrrmusic1481]

Prove me wrong, or go I d dark corner and shut up!!

[@HoTrEtArDeDcHiXx]

You're obviously from out of town sir. We Americans have aways denied election results. It's an integral part of our culture. Your culture is provided by the government. Ours is not. Hence the problem. One of us is going to lose. Good luck

[@issakleonard1]

This is stupid. Ducking vote in primaries and then vote for who you think is the best for you. Not your team. Take responsibility for your country

[@PabloTheThinker]

What is partly to blame for the division in the country is the media and videos like these from Fareed Zakaria, who are always defending one side, while demonizing the other.

[@mcchannel1736]

Farreed I'm from the UK. You absolutely nailed this. bringing up david milliband was 100% bang on cnn was my go to to be pissed off. You nailed the Democrats and republicans aswell. People can have disagreements but the centre field you get the most done. Activists should not run political parties good on you for this segment!!!

[@bad444]

Let's get this straight, Republican canidates are getting more extreme, Bernie Sanders have been in Congress for a long time and from a policy standpoint no Democrat is on the left of him. Also Bernie's and independent.

[@onehorsetown3434]

Child Molestation should always be investigated no matter their political affiliation.

[@traumflug]

Fareed Zakaria, I fear I have to disappoint you. Here in Germany election candidates get mostly choosen by a small non-representative section in each party as well. There's even something like primaries. It just happens that primaries are less important, because there are more parties. That said, there are also signs of hope. Over the last two years, the three biggest parties put much emphasis on allowsing a lot of voters for electing party leaders. CDU established a process with no less than 1000 electing delegates. SPD newly involved all party members in such elections, made possible by modern communication infrastructure. And the Greens allow every single party member to propose amendements to the party's election programme. The road pretty clearly goes towards popular votes, similar to how the political system in Switzerland works. It's a long way to go, but I'm pretty sure it'll happen. Just look at Bernie Sanders and his remarkable successes. No breakthrough, yet, but the emphasis is on _yet_ .

[@jayspeijer614]

In Canada we have had 3 viable parties (plus a few minor parties) for quite some time (decades), with our centrist party frequently holding power, especially at the federal level. Maybe 2 options is not enough for the USA at this time. Liz Cheney could likely attract significant support for a third option. This could compel the traditional parties to reconsider unacceptable, extremist candidates.

[@bryan805]

Didn’t Canada just ban its citizens from owning handguns? Best worry about your own country’s problems.

[@sheilaboston7051]

Australia is very similar (plus both countries use the Westminster system of gov't). We just got rid of our conservative gov't (in a landslide!) and our House is now made up of 77 Labor seats, 58 Liberal/National coalition, 4 Greens, 10 Independents and 2 from small parties. We also use ranked-choice voting - very few are die-hards for one party or another. USA has problems.

[@sheilaboston7051]

@@bryan805 Australians don't have handguns either, except those who have special licences for sports-shooting. We live in safety, security and with peace of mind.

[@bryan805]

@@sheilaboston7051 which is why Australia had some of the most draconian covid lockdowns in the world. Citizens had no choice but to comply. Sad!

[@TheJosephoenix]

@@bryan805 if you consider that a problem... I feel sorry for you. You truly don't understand how a society should act. Not the police or the military, but the citizens of a society aiming towards living in peace.

[@dudeistmonkmatthew9550]

Republicans voters, that's how we got here; and until we do something about them we'll never fix this.

[@theparadoxicaltouristtrave9320]

That looks like a call to harm voters. And while I too am frustrated with many voters, this may be going waaaaaaaay too far.

[@semyonbudyonny1895]

Comrades Lenin and Stalin fought for the common man. They would’ve approved of this attack on a vicious capitalist exploiter and political parasite; i.e. Pelosi & Co

[@mailfraudvoter6620]

like your lazy keyboard ever does much 🤡⬆️