Reason Writers on the Tube: Matt Welch Talks Independent/Third Party Politics on "The Alyona Show"

Yesterday, Reason Editor in Chief Matt Welch went on Russia Today to talk about the across-the-political-spectrum desire to see the emergence of a third party. Here is the seven-minute conversation:

Comments

[Government of Wolves]

I really don't think that the problem is the failure of the two parties, and I really don't think a third party will help.

The present discontent isn't because the two parties are bad at governing: it's because having such a large and powerful central government inherently breeds divisiveness. The death of real federalism and local power leads people to feel like cogs in a machine, as their opponents aren't people they know from their town, they're people wholly divided by space, class, race, and religion from them.

A third party won't help, because it's just another division for people to latch onto: what's really needed is for the states and the people to reassert their rights to run education, drug policy, law enforcement and everything else. That's not a matter of another party, it's a matter of legal challenges and even changing congressional personnel.

[Matt C]

That's not a matter of another party, it's a matter of ... changing congressional personnel.

How is this not a matter of political parties?

[Stephen]

I know what I think RT would really appreciate? Some impromptu discussion of human rights in Chechnya. Maybe just blurt out the name "RYAZAN!!" really loudly and repetitively one day while you're on air.

[Max]

One thing we can be sure of--if a third party does emerge it won't be led by a libertoid asshole like Matt Welch. It will be led by a very different sort of asshole that will be just large enough to accommodate Welch's nose

[sage]

Jealous Troll is jealous.

[Matt Welch]

The Universal Sit-Up Party?

[voting]

Anti-Masturbation League Party of Extraordinary Hands.

*megan fox need not apply

[Max]

ARFARFARFARFARFARFARFARFARFARFARF!!!!!!!!!!

[The Other Kevin]

I'm jealous that Matt got to sit at the same desk as Alyona.

[Chris]

Wow - nearly eight minutes of RT, and not a single mention of the Truther movement or American plans to build secret military bases and go to war with Russia. Must be a record.

[affenkopf]

Russia Today is the best propaganda news station out there, take that Press TV!

[Mike M.]

Welch is absolutely correct; there is a bigger hunger in the country today for a real alternative to the democrat-republican dichotomy than I can remember seeing in my lifetime.

It's just a damn shame that libertarians are squandering one of the best opportunities they have ever had to truly become relevant and get their voices heard.

[R C Dean]

Hey, Mike, that's just how we roll. Deal with it.

[creech]

Squandering? How so? What would you advocate L(l)ibertarians do?

[Mike M.]

Gee whiz, I don't know, maybe run some of their own candidates for office or something?

They wouldn't even necessarily have to be on the Big-L ticket. I don't see why libertarian minded people couldn't be putting up younger Ron Paul disciple types to run in republican primaries.

[Apogee]

a very different sort of asshole

We know the kind - pledging "this is my last comment!!" - only to return later like an alkie to his booth in the corner of the bar - complete with inane mutterings to himself.

[johnl]

Great outfit Matt. Including the undone top button and loosened tie. Good touches.

[Virginia]

okay, i'll say it since no one else will... DAAAAYYYYYYAAAAMMMMM she's nothing but cute.

[Gabe E]

Yup, young Russian pussy smells good.

[Yonemoto]

She is not aging well. I remember when I first saw her years ago. Holy cow, I wanted to bang that so bad. But now, it's kind of like, I'd settle for it.

[Ellie]

The increasing tendency for H&R comments to focus purely on the appearances of people mentioned in the blog post is appalling.

That said, Matt Welch is a total hottie.

[OO=========D]

I'd give him every my very last inch.

[The Other Kevin]

I agree, it's terrible. Just terrible.

[The Other Kevin]

I'd really like to see the Democratic party splinter like the Republicans. Maybe a group of aging hippies and kids who are anti-war and pro-personal freedom could form a tea party-like group. Now THAT would make politics interesting.

[sage]

Give it time.

[mitch]

We'll have to wait until a white man is in charge of the Democrats again.