SancheztheWhaler wrote:You said "if the Democrats win this time, then it will prove that dirty campaigning isn't necessary to win an election. Then maybe the Republicans will see some virtue in clean campaigning and will change their campaign tactics." My point is dirty politics will never go away, not that you were arguing, with 100% certainty, that they would.
Concession accepted.
Even if Republicans pull back a bit from their bullshit, it'll still continue in some form or another.
You know, even if the Republicans stop trying to dismantle welfare, poverty will still continue in some form or another. I suppose we shouldn't bother tackling that, either.
How can any of us encourage or discourage dirty politics?
I suppose you mean apart from not voting for the people who engage in such tactics, is that right? Or making some kind of attempt to call them on their bullshit? And aside from encouraging those who engage in clean campaigns, be it through monetary contributions, volunteer work or this "vote" thing that I've been told you take so much pride in.
Smart people ignore smears and vote based on issues. Dirty politics really only affect stupid people who don't know any better, and there are more stupid people than there are smart people, therefore, dirty politics aren't going anywhere.
*bzzt* WRONG! Dirty politics affects everyone - if it get enough votes for the side which uses it, then everyone gets to put up with the arseholes who use these tactics.
Also, consider the integrity of those who use dirty politics as opposed to those who use cleaner politics. Who would you rather have leading your country - someone who engages in smear campaigns and underhanded sledging, or someone who can actually focus on the issues?
The only ones who can significantly impact dirty politics are the press, and they have no interest in a reduction in dirty politics, as it helps them sell newspapers and attract viewers, thereby selling advertising, and making them lots and lots of money.
*bzzt* Wrong again. The opposition can significantly impact dirty politics by calling them on their bullshit. Hell, if a large enough group of voters cares about dirty politics, then they can use their freaking VOTES to vote the dirty politicians out of power.
And once again, you have ignored my main point: WHY IS DIRTY POLITICS A DESIRABLE THING?
You seem to be under some misguided delusion that just because something is inevitable in some form or another that therefore it is desirable.
Darth Wong wrote:The re-introduction of the Fairness Doctrine would help. It's not a coincidence that Ronald Reagan's administration put an end to it in the 80s.
I also think that some kind of publically funded news organisation would help - something that doesn't have to rely on revenue and can instead focus on actual news. I doubt that would go down well, though. Does anyone in the US even understand the concept of an independent government organisation?