Anna Lo elected
Political history was made tonight. Anna Lo has been elected in to the Assembly for the Alliance Party in South Belfast. To the best of my knowledge -- correct me if you know otherwise -- she is the first member of the Chinese community to be elected to any UK Assembly or Parliament.
Comments
The need for an alternative to "tribal politics" is precisely the
vacuum in U.S. politics which I have
been decrying for a number of years now.
To wit, in a country of around 300 million citizens, the only viable choice for a would-be elected official is right or left, liberal or conservative. Independents and alternative thinkers don't stand a practical chance against the overwhelming adherence to the two-party status quo, for only Democrats or Republicans can realistically win major elections.
This country profoundly needs viable and well considered alternatives to what only these two parties have to offer. Social issues are complex and require deep consideration, and so alternatives which are satisfying and intellectually cogent need to be developed. However, merely two
political choices in a country as large and diverse as the U.S is immensely insufficient.
I applaud the voters of Ireland for their foresight, undoubtedly born of necessity (the current time worn two-party system failing to satisfy
voters' needs). Would that the U.S. could develop more well thought out solutions for its pressing socio-political needs.
Mr Wang
There is nothing new under the sun.
I dont think the need is so much for new ideas as a rexamination of the old ones which always worked before.
PB