See a Problem?

There's nothing wrong with a lengthy predicament if it's presented in an engaging manner, but I was more than ready for it to end after a couple of chapters. Also, once the abductor is known, the story's resolution is drawn out way too long. I'm resentful of spending an entire evening plowing through it to get to the predictable conclusion just so I could be done with it. Let's move on from him, okay? Poppet will be next Dec 31, Bev Taylor rated it really liked it. Das ist mein 2tes? Buch von Mo Hayder und ich bin irritiert, denn das andere fand ich richtig gut.

How did I not know about this author before? There's an odd carjacking: In these cases, the child is usually returned well, released rather quickly Cafferty and team How did I not know about this author before? Cafferty and team start to realize that the jacker targeted the car because it had a child in the back, and that this is part of a pattern; in the other cases, the children were released. Then there's another carjacking, and another girl taken.

Flea Marley, still dealing with her cover-up of her brother's fatal hit-and-run and trying to get her Underwater Search Unit back on track. The search for the missing girls in part helps, but her hunches start to endanger her and her second-in-command The character development is, as always in these cases, very slow and there are so many layers to Cafferty and Marley still to be unwrapped.

Their history, both together and apart, is one of solitary togetherness, a professional relationship that may never be much more because of the damage they each have. As for the mystery, the main suspect was clearly a false lead and my guess as to who had point them in that direction was right but it wasn't so obvious that I didn't have to check the back of the book! Copy provided by publisher. May 05, Bonnie rated it really liked it.

Gone by Mo Hayder is so good I read it practically at one sitting. I kept thinking, "I need to savor this because I might not find another book I enjoy as much. She is the author of six other books and I will definitely be checking them out. Okay, now for the review. The plot begins with Jack looking at video of a carjacking. A man wearing a rubber Santa Claus mask rushed to a woman as she placed packages in the boot of her car, slammed into her, climbed into the driver's seat of her car and sped off with the blur of a small girl's head in the back seat.

Jack assured the parents that two other girls had been taken in similar circumstances and released later, unharmed. This is the beginning of a well-thought out, brilliant mystery that doesn't let up until the final pages. Jack works with a lady diver named Flea Marley and a detective named Prody who transferred in from Traffic. When the eleven year-old Martha doesn't return and another child is abducted, Jack knows they are probably searching for a pedophile. The plot takes twists and turns never letting up on the adrenalin as the families are tortured, almost beyond belief.

Hayder is especially adept at describing the two mothers' feelings of helplessness. The setting switches to a tunnel under the Cotswold where Flea rationalizes the girls might be hidden. Her exploits ratchets up the suspense while Jack keeps looking for a commonality connecting the two families. The ending is unexpected and highly explosive. I'm looking for the next Mo Hayder thriller. This is the first of Ms. I admit that I identified the killer early on, since the author left you almost no alternatives when spinning out her narrative, but that was OK.

The story follows detective Jack Caffery and policewoman Flea Marley on their investigation of a carjacker who manages to lead them on a mery chase. What makes the carjacke GONE. Now the police are looking for a suspected pedophile, not your run-of-the-mill carjacker. The perp manages to stay one step ahead of the police at every turn. He is vastly smarter than your usual car thief or kidnapper. When he continues to strike, the police become panicked. When the breaks finally start to come, the police realize that they have been focusing on all the wrong things, but soon put themselves to rights.

Dec 26, Laura rated it did not like it. Maybe I read too many mysteries. But I couldn't quite finish this one. A little over pages to go and I just chucked it. Just tortured, flawed people which is FINE. It's a staple of the genre. But MAN it gets old after a while. And you can be dark and still allow us a few light moments. I get that as a scene these pla I don't know. I get that as a scene these places are important but again, pacing. You'd just get a head of steam going and here we are again, underground. Anyway, sorry to be the voice of dissent but there's much better stuff out there.

Bolton's Lacey Flint series. Spannend van begin tot eind en moeilijk weg te leggen! Mo Hayder has been writing for ten years and it shows. Frightening at times the narrative exudes a thrilling quality that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final pages. However it soon becomes evi Mo Hayder has been writing for ten years and it shows. However it soon becomes evident that this is no ordinary carjacking; the suspect, sporting a Santa Claus face mask is targeting cars with children in the back seat. One thing is clear, the carjacker is clever; very very clever and Caffrey is up against it.

To solve this crime and those that follow, he will have to use the full force of the law and his years of experience as a detective to bring about a successful outcome. Hayder introduces us to our heroine by way of an abandoned cave in the Mendip Hills where, intriguingly, she is confirming that a corpse she hid six months previously remains undisturbed! Although part of a long standing series and a continuation of her fourth Caffrey novel SKIN, Gone remains a thrilling and powerful standalone novel.

Full Review on my blog Jun 18, L rated it liked it Shelves: This is, as promised, a nail-biter of a thriller. As it raced to its conclusion, I couldn't help reading into the wee hours, heart pounding. So why only 3 stars? Well, the characters, while solid enough, are mostly predictable and the key female investigator, Flea, does a quite predictable, quite risky stupid thing. She is also up to her neck in a very serious cover-up.

Apparently this is supposed to make her "human" to the reader. For me, it makes her, despite her skill, a completely crooked, s This is, as promised, a nail-biter of a thriller. For me, it makes her, despite her skill, a completely crooked, scum cop, with two sets of rules--one for her and those close to her, and another for everyone else. Fortunately the mothers of the missing girls are not so stupid, saving this from being a book about how the "little woman" steps in it.

The other problem is that the underwater scenes, central to much of the action, are so complex and so poorly described that I could neither picture nor follow them. This was very frustrating. Still, it help me reading. I will read more by Hayder. Reading this book was at times a trial for me.

I've not been sleeping well, and would find myself falling asleep during this book. I'd wake up a few minutes later, look back at what I'd read, continue on, and fall asleep again. In the middle of the morning, and in the middle of the afternoon. I was just too tired to pay attention to all the details.

It's not entirely my fault, though. About the book, I mean. There were times I thought the book could have been shortened a little. All the time spe Reading this book was at times a trial for me. All the time spent with the families, and Jack meeting with the Walking Man, seemed too long. I did like the fact that part of the storyline was a continuation from the previous book, Skin. I also like that the storyline looks like it's going to continue into the next book, Poppet. View all 5 comments. Gone is such a complex book to review. Let me start by saying it is my favourite in the Jack Caffery series.

Mo Hayder usually goes for the unique ideas when it comes to the criminal aspect of her novels, but with this one she takes something that has been done before. However, with Mo Hayder behind the wheel things are a million times creepier than when written by other authors. I adore where she went with this, how she went around the idea. It truly is a brilliant novel in that respect. The prob Gone is such a complex book to review. The problem for me, however, is the fact that things were so obvious from the get-go.

If I had been wrong, if Mo Hayder had pulled something truly shocking out of the bag on that front, this would have been a five star book. Alas, I had to knock it down to the four stars because — no matter how much I adore a story — I have this thing about knocking off stars when things are far too clear.

As I said, though, this is the best Jack Caffery novel thus far. It is a brilliant individual story and aspects brought into the series in Skin continue forward in a way that leaves you wanting more. Without a doubt my favourite in the series to date. Usually when I figure out the bad guy too early on in a book, it annoys me, and I rarely enjoy the rest of the novel.


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This time, there were so many twists and turns that I started to doubt myself, and when all was revealed, I had a very satisfying "AHA! I told you so! This was my first Mo Hayder book, but I can promise you, it will not be my last. The characters were so very real to me; it felt like I could almost sit dow Usually when I figure out the bad guy too early on in a book, it annoys me, and I rarely enjoy the rest of the novel.

The characters were so very real to me; it felt like I could almost sit down and have a cup of coffee with them. I particularly enjoyed the Walking Man, and even though Caffery is your typical damaged-goods kind of guy that a reader tends to feel sorry for it's beginning to become quite a cliche , somehow it works perfectly in Hayder's story. This novel is packed with tight, engrossing writing that kept me flipping pages, even though I knew I had to turn off the light and go to sleep. There are a few gruesome scenes, but it's easy to skim over them and continue with the story.

Well done, Ms Hayder! I suspected who the culprit was early on but still could not put it down from the moment I started. Keeps you on your toes with all the many twists and turns. Jul 27, David Highton rated it really liked it. Many references to the previous book in the series, which I read quite some time ago. Valeu pelo final carregado de emocoes, apesar de se perceber bem cedo quem seria o culpado. May 07, Mark Stevens rated it really liked it.

One line of Gone sums it up: A simple case of a missing girl gets big and messy. She is telling a story. Gone is 99 percent story, 1 percent flash. Caffrey operates from a familiar frame of mind for a detective: Everyone moved in patterns to some degree or another. Those patterns might be all but invisible, even to the persons themselves, but they were there, nonetheless.

Then, Flea Marley goes missing and the pressure mounts on Caffrey and the whole team. If so, she succeeded. Aug 22, Mike Dixon rated it it was amazing. Gone is the fifth in the Jack Caffery series and is about missing children. They have been abducted by an unknown person whose motives are far from obvious. Tracking him down becomes an obsession for Jack and he pursues it with his usual determination. My wife is a Mo Hayder fan and she challenged me to read the book.

She knows I get irritated when novelists write about subjects they don't understand and get the facts wrong. I used to work in t Gone is the fifth in the Jack Caffery series and is about missing children. I used to work in the diving industry and crawling into confined spaces in shipwrecks was one of my specialities. My life was never as dangerous as that of Mo's character, Flea. No one tried to kill me underwater but there were plenty of hazards of the kind Flea faced.

Hayder rattles them off with a fluency which suggests she is no stranger to the underwater world. She writes as if she has personally experienced the problems of crawling around in confined spaces, lugging scuba gear and other equipment behind her. I wonder if she goes caving in the West of England where she now lives. At any rate, her account of what can happen in flooded underground passages is convincing. If she hasn't experienced it for herself then she must have spoken to people who have. Mo has a good understanding of what it can be like beneath the earth and has a genius for describing it.

Gripping incidents come one after another. They punctuate the plot. Mo keeps up the pace. She doesn't lay off. There is no quick solution. Traumas are stretched out but never tedious. She held my interest to the end. May 09, Colin Barnes rated it liked it. I'd probably have given this a 3. Think people are starting to get it, thanks in part to you, and many others in the media who continue to not only report on, but seem to promote political name calling and bickering at the expence of the American people.

There are too many single issue voters in the country to form a 3rd party. That issue is abortion. Depending on the stance the 3rd party takes against abortion, they will only bleed significant votes away from one of the parties and not both. Voting every single person now in office out Let's get back to when a man person gives their word they abide by it. Jack, Starting a 3rd party is easy.

All we do is have 50 states secede from the union, leaving only Washington, D. Then we can sell the District to the Chinese for a big chunk of our national debt. Of course, we might have to give them a discount to take the politicians with the properties. Hopefully then all the nuts will sort themselves out geographically and go their separate ways. And each one is a mouse as compared to the two aforementioned giants.

What I wonder is this Seems like the simplest solution would be to just legitimize this already existing group by officially creating an "Moderate" party, comprised of folks who are registered as Independents. Depending on whether you want this 3rd party to be viable in the Executive or Legislative Branch or both is important. If you were only concerned with the Legislative branch, we would need to determine representation in one or both of the chambers I believe the House would be more appropriate given its size to proportional representation.

Thus, we could turn the legislative branch into something similar to the German system citizens elect lower house and state legislatures elect upper house. Thus, the check and balances system would move from another branch of government to the people. Just let the two groupe in there now keep messing up. They sell there vote for money now wait till the second groupe get in there.


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  • It is nearly impossible! Campaign laws are written for a two party system! It will take changes in campaign laws that allow third parties equal access to public funding. And whats there wealth difference from when they get in office unitl the time they leave. To stop all this is easy, its called term limits. Magic, unicorns tears, or the ghost of George Washington What's needed is a change in perspective regarding politics. The prevailing concept is currently a line running from left to right or right to left.

    With both parties squished towards the middle, alternative viewpoints are separated idealogically. One way to start that process is to view politics as a circle versus as a straight line. We need to amend the U. Constitution requiring a runoff election for president and U. Senate and House if a candidate does not get the majority of votes. I was a Republican, then I voted for Obama. Now I cannot respect either the Democrats or the Republicans.

    All of congress is influenced by big business. They are all on the take. They no longer represent the people. I plan to register as an Independant. I don't have much hope though. Only then will they represent the people. But who would initiate such a proposal? And in regards to the outrageous bonuses, I don't have a problem with giving bonuses but why so much?

    If they don't like that then show them the door and go recruit from Yale business school. Third parties only make sense if there are runoffs when nobody gets a majority. Otherwise, they can only be spoilers that hurt the major party to which they are closer. Most Perot supporters in would have preferred Bush 41 to Clinton and most Nader supporters in would have preferred Gore to Bush Voters who shoot themselves in the foot in this manner are not likely to support third parties in the future.

    With runoffs, third parties could have influence even if they don't win. In a runoff, their adherents would be casting the deciding votes. This chance for influence would allow third parties to build momentum. It will take a clear message and strong candidates that voters feel are viable in order for a third party to win.

    People often toy with the idea of voting for a third party, but fear that it's throwing away a vote. I think if the mainstream media were to give all the myriad parties that have a place on the ballots more air time, that would be a good first step. I recall in the '08 presidential election, that I found a website that listed all of the different candidates and running mates that I was going to see on the ballot, and a short bio and beliefs synopsis for each. It was refreshing to see, and an eye opener. Organizations such as CNN have a huge influence on what things we view as legitimate, be they animal, vegetable, mineral What it will take is some wildly popular charismatic political figure to stand on the steps of the Capitol and say he is ashamed to have an R or a D after his name, and he is forming a new party that will organize nationally and endeavour to elect candidates at all levels of government.

    The new part will abandon all dogmatic principles in favor of a single rule: Do what works with the corollary of "for God's sake stop doing what doesn't work: Only a figure with the kind of fund raising ability to avoid being declared not viable by the news media could pull this off. Perhaps when Arnold can't run for governator again, he could try? We will never have a viable third party in this country? Because everyone knows it takes a majority to make things happen. A third party would dilute the numbers. Historically, any time a 3rd party has begun to gather political wampum, it's platform has been adopted - usually in a watered-down fashion - by the one or both the parties in power.

    Look at how we got public education, women's sufferage socialist party, I believe and anti-deficit spending Perot , etc. The problem is very basic in that we now have a cadre of professional politicians, too many of whom focus on getting elected and re-elected. This political class have become America's royalty, not much different than our European forebears, and they are in office for many many years, becoming multi-millionaires and lobbyists.

    We will be a healthier country when I can look at a House or a Senate and see more than half the seats occupied by housewives, engineers and business people, my favorite three groups of serious problem solvers, and there are others. The American public needs to understand that they have been bought. They feel that inept politicians are from other states, not theirs. Their Senators and Representatives bring home the bacon, and this is what is sold and is the biggest addiction for all Americans.

    The system has been gamed and the sooner all Americans realize this the better chance we will have for reform. Jack, We need a viable candidate. Unfortunately Ross Perot made a laughing stock of any third party. I am a registered Independent and am hoping we can find a candidate that is capable of addressing ALL of the issues in a respectable fashion.

    We don't need a one issue candidate. Both the democratic and republican parties have massive infrastructure for publicity, strategy and fundraising.

    The Treatment

    It sets any other party at a distinct disadvantage from the very beginning. The Primary season for the two main parties is so long that by the time you even hear that a third party candidate is running, most have made up their mind. I've talked to so many people over the years that do not actually pay attention or read up on the candidates, they simply walk into the voting booth and check all Democrat or all Republican.

    You can't win votes from people who were never listening. The single most important thing is to dismantle the electoral college and provide for the direct election of the president. Check back on the '92 election when Perot got a significant percentage of the popular vote but received onlyone? It doesn't make sense. How can you get your message out there if the other two parties don't let you get to speak in front of a major audience?

    This polarization is taking us down for years now. If our electorate would vote ALL greater than 2 term incombants out at the same time we could then get back on track. They just keep getting more gray hair. I'm sick of it. When do I get a choice to vote someone in instead of out! Don't know what it will take, but I can't wait for it to happen. Both parties make me wan to puke. Both are pretty much comprised of self centered, narcissitic, completely out of touch, old, rich white guys. The only constituents they care about are the other old, rich white guys who make the biggest campaign donations.

    The simple answer is a different voting system. Third parties cannot exist with the way our voting works here. How 'bout stop worrying about the who's got what majority crap and try solving a problem or two, for once The founders are rolling over in their graves watching these self-important phonies. It's going to require honest media coverage, plain and simple. How many people simply vote R or D on the ballot simply because they consider themselves R or D? How many people don't educate themselves about the actual candidates and believe whatever they're told? I'm afraid to say I suspect there are far more uneducated voters than educated ones.

    As an aside, the Commision on Presidential Debates states on their website "The Commission on Presidential Debates CPD was established in to ensure that debates, as a permanent part of every general election, provide the best possible information to viewers and listeners. ALL candidates, regardless of party or affiliation should be getting the same share of the media spotlight.

    It shouldn't be "Red vs Blue and oh yeah some other people are running that we won't ever mention again". Brown won by focusing on the cost of the bill in a factual manner. People are sick of arguments based on extremist ideals and misdirection. A viable third party would showcase candidates who base decisions on fact and reason. Right now both parties are dominated by loud-mouthed idealists who prioritize emotional matters over practicality.

    I voted for Obama because he was the first candidate I've ever heard admit that education will not be improved through money alone, but by solid parenting. Had I been voting in Massachusetts I would probably have voted for Brown because he articulated the costs of proposed legislation in a concrete manner. This is in contrast with the rest of the Republican party with their baseless accusations of socialism and death panels. The Bull Moose Party needs to be brought back and run by younger, independent thinking adults. Both parties are dominated by old fogies that are out of touch with America on seemingly almost every issue.

    A few fiscally conservative, socially moderate people coming together, and given a chance in the media, will give the Bull Moose Party a good, solid foundation on which to fix the political scene. First, enact term limits for Congress. Two terms for a Senator, six terms for a Representative. Twelve years in either case. Second, figure out how to level the playing field of campaign finance without running afoul of the Constitution or turning campaigns into a free-for-all where outside interests labor unions, PACs, corporations, whatever with deep pockets can outright buy an election for their preferred candidate.

    A viable third party must gain enough seats in at least the House or the Senate or both to prevent either existing party from holding a majority. Otherwise, they'll remain a marginal player and not a force for moderation of either extreme. George Washington offered us good advice in his farewell address and his predictions about what would happen if we ignored it and allowed political parties to have the power they have today have all come to pass. As a result, we are allowing them to ruin our country as practically the only bipartisanship is found in their mutual support of the system that protects their stranglehold on our country.

    What we really need to do is to stop ignoring the very good advice our first president gave us: Don't invest in political parties at all. Absent that, we need to throw out all the current rubbish masquerading as legislators and have not three but multiple parties running candidates as well as voters willing to stop listening to the loudest shouters and actually pay attention to the realities behind the issues.

    At this point the parties have become two sides of the same coin. Lobbyists control all of Washington and will continue to control it as long as political campaigns cost millions, if not billions, of dollars. The only way a third party ever becomes viable is if you can pull the money out of running for office. We have a representative government. The problem is that our politicians are only representing the people writing the checks. With today's Supreme Court decision the problem is only going to get worse.

    What will it take to get a viable third party going in U.S.? – Cafferty File - theranchhands.com Blogs

    I'm an independent and I'm sick of these career politicians with no real-life experience. I think we need to get real people, with real jobs, into office. I don't want a lawyer representing me. There is no difference between a democrat or a republican. Each party has one interest: To get a viable 3rd-party, we need a grassroots effort spearheaded by people that understand the Constitution and the ideals that our country was founded on.

    I can't say that there are any 3rd party candidates ready for office this November, but I believe the dissatisfaction of the constituents will result in people stepping up in the coming years. I don't care what party they're affiliated with. They've been in power too long Expecting President Obama to do it on his own is not going to happen.

    Congress needs the change! Voting by ranking candidates would eliminate this worry. Unfortunately, if the current mess still isn't enough to swing people, I don't know what ever will. However, I strongly advise people to look into the libertarian party, which I believe touches on the strong points of both parties: The best government has always been that which governs least.

    It will take the strength, solidarity and vigilance of the people of America to continue this revolution against "business as usual" by our bloated government. I think those supporting the Tea Party movement are getting a good start - but I see even more hope in the coming together of those independents, conservative democrats and more liberal republicans as just occurred in our great liberty state of Massachusetts.

    I believe it will take money, either corporate backing or a multi-billionaire. That is why the closest independent to challenge for the White House was Ross Perot, and Nader never had a shot. So much of this country is in the middle, and continues to have to choose between the lesser of two evils. If a party emerged in the middle, and could compete financially with the other 2, it would undoubtedly be a permanent addition to our political landscape. But for now, corporations give all their money to the big 2 usually both and an outsider doesn't stand a chance.

    I think there are two ways it might happen. A grassroots party that finds an amazing candidate for high office, or an equally amazing Independent candidate who manages to win and founds a new party. But mainly, neither of these things will ever happen until people stop thinking of a vote for a third party candidate as a wasted vote.

    It will take the adoption of Ranked Choice Voting. This would in essence allow a person to vote for who they truly want in office first and they would be allowed a second and perhaps even third choice on their ballot. These alternate choices would come into play if their first choice candidate had no mathematical chance of winning,. Only then would we really know how many people would choose the independent, green party, or some other party's representative.

    The key to establishing a viable third party is education. As long as the public, and their children, are inundated with the two party battle and government double-speak a third party has little chance of survival. It will require the a large number of our largely apathetic society to realize that they can in fact make a difference. It will require a wildly popular politician or anti-politician and a strong party name that has history Think bull moose.

    This crappy 2 party system will be the undoing of our nation. It has already started with a plurality of voters who are fed up with both parties. The only thing lacking are good candidates who truly represent our interests. Candidates who will form USA and US citizen caucases as if they should be needed and reject all others.

    Candidates who will care about others but place our needs and interests first, just like all other countries do. And who will represent the interests of all of us, not just certain groups. But why does it have to be a third party? Candidates who will govern a basis of facts, common sense, critical thinking, intellectual honesty, and the foundation on which the US was founded. The time seems ripe for true independents. All we need are suitable candidates.

    Take the moderate Republicans what few there are and the Blue Dog Democrats and you could put together a third party big enough to hold sway. Not a majority but big enough to have to be heard. It would also provide a voice that is not heard right now. Fiscally conservative and socially moderate. Can't take much more from either side. It will take a legitamte candidate who is not affraid to step away from the "political" game and play the role of civil servant. Dont worry about who, in Washington, you are making happy and speak your thoughts.

    Support the people not the office. It was killed today by the demonic ruling of the US Supreme Court to treat campaign money as speech and thereby guarantee that all remaining elections degenerate into auctions. Jack, two questions,first like to know what the dollar value of relief to Haiti coming from Muslim nations around the world is ,have not heard much about the benevolence of Allah regarding these poor unfortunates.

    Second don't you think ,CBS, NBC, or who ever it is don't care should have decided if someone really wanted to be the guru of late night insomniacs,then let the lowest bidder prevail. If you really want ,and feel qualified for a job position,and there are others vying for the same job, you present a bid for said job , "just like the rest of us". How can a network through around 33 to 45 million dollars for such a useless commodity, in these time, as a comic. I would have set the bid at "which ever of you two clowns wants this position ,the job now pays half price who really wants it???

    We really have to let go of America"s worship of entertainers ,actors comics, musicians, athletes,etc ,etc, The biggest threat facing our democracy is the influence of special interests. We all know that the organizations or groups that have the most money can buy influence in government. I find it pathetically hysterical when a politician says that campaign donations and special interest money don't affect their decisions and their votes. Of course they do. Politicians are interested in one thing and one thing only. They will do and say anything to get re-elected and will take money from anyone in order to get re-elected.

    For a viable third party to exist, the entrenched special interest money has to be taken out of the system. Until that happens, we will be left with the sorry individuals that we have in government. I am afraid a lot of money — money is the god of the world. But maybe ,just maybe, a lot of belief that people can finally undertake the art of compromise and get away from greed and the "my way or the highway: Jack, I'm afraid the next 3rd party candidate might be closer to a benevolent dictator than a candidate.

    Most Americans want government to work and the present system does not.. I was an independant who switched to democrat to vote for Obama in the NY primary. I still support him but see some Bush in his discisions ie. A third party candidate is not going to happen because many Americans are losing interest in the whole process. Democrats and Republicans, with like ideals, such as thinking of America first, and not their respective parties, have to jump ship and form a third party.

    I am a former resident of Massachusetts who applauds the Independent voter for the message sent, "screw 'em all", the Dems, the Republicans, and all politicans, with whom we are all fed up with. I now live in Florida and if I take an Independent designation, I cannot vote in a primary election.

    In Massachusetts you can be an Independent and you can still vote in a primary. I feel deprived and I wish someone would test the constitutionlity of this process in Florida. I think the binary nature of our political system won't support a viable third party. A simple majority is all it takes to slip into office, but there's nothing to give a voice to the often large losing pool, a group that should still be afforded a considerable voice.

    This leads to thinking in zero-sum terms and the idea that voting for a third party is essentially throwing that vote away. As long as the winner takes all, there will only be two realistic options. At least, this is what my lay understanding leads me to. Whatever happened to "Of the people, by the people, and for the people"? Now it's just "for the money". Campaign finance reform would be a start but that's a pipe dream. The people in power make the rules and they won't make changes that could take them out of power. Until Americans wake up and realize they are being screwed by both parties there will be "no real change".

    Now that our Supreme Court has stripped away the vote of the people and given the decision solely to the hands of big business, it will be virtually impossible to break the gridlock of the two party system. Big money will be deciding all of our elections for us and it all rides in the hands of the power elite. Are we expecting any of them to open their arms and welcome a third party? Brad Kaiser Florence, SC. Additional political parties are not the answer.

    The culture of privilege and corruption in Washington compromises all newcomers. What is needed are term limits,mandatory weekly debates, and a hard dollar limit spent for each election. Candidates can even save money by adopting the same slogan, " Twelve years and I'm gone — I promise. The system has to change so that the existing parties can't "stack the deck" in elections. One of the most important things would be to have redistricting done by a non-partisan means so that more elections are competitive.

    In competitive elections you will get far fewer candidates who are party hacks. What we need is the big money and big interest groups out of politics, so that the independent voices can be heard and the two useless parties can be deflated. Unfortunately with the Supreme Court ruling today, that won't happen anytime soon. A common sense driven intelligent business manager who is not afraid to be honest and will say that he is from the middle wher most of us are. A leader who makes decisions on a case by case basis after careful analysis, not by asking his party what their dogma dictates.

    A leader who is a skeptic of other countries but trusts us. An environmentalist fiscal conservative who understands government needs to stay out of our lives, not dictate that men should not marry or that we cannot pray in school. If an individaul like that manages to get national attention, a party will form around him and it will change. Implement proportional elections in elections for the House!

    The first-past-the-post system is obsolete, as demonstrated by politically stable nations such as Sweden which have rightfully chosen to abandon an exclusive two-party system. In a proportional election, only a select few voters with very "unique" perspectives will have their votes wasted. Proportional elections allow for more open discourse, and eliminate the constraints which continue to hamper American voters; think of the Nader dilemma.

    It will take the American people having an active interest in the future of our country. Till then, the squeaky wheel will get the grease, which will be special interests — big money corporations, fanatical organizations and organized labor. The middle class is either too complacent or feels too irrelavent to impose their will. A 3rd party makes but it will never happen. A message that does not meet the extremist on either side They can't meet the funding so when they do speak it needs to be common sense. For too long folks vote D or R, the party, not the person.

    Now the country is really progressive or conservative. The best operating system is neat the middle, not too left, no too right. It's all about balance. Unfortunately Democrat and Repulican have money available to them that a third party can't get. Many senators and congressmen have been in too long and won't change anything that benefits them. Start during an election cycle and demand canidates agree to term limits, No taxpayer funding, No pension, no jets, and if they still want the job vote them in.

    Make them change these rules. It could be as early as this Nov. Get some indipendent canidates and vote them in. We need to revamp the sysytem and get a government by the people, for the people not by the party, the lobbiests, the unions, the special interest groups. The more one keeps watching the political movements in America the more it is apparent that govt itself is big business. If a party could be formed with the common sense talking points of both sides maybe, just maybe some "change" would come to the political process which has been lacking for a very long time.

    It will take a group willing to advocate strong fiscal conservatism and a centrist social viewpoint to attract members from both parties, otherwise they can't overcome the fear of splitting a party and ceding power. The time is right! The only ones listening right now are the people, and they don't like what they hear. Personally, we need more pundits like Limbaugh, Beck, and Ed Shultz which is why I'm already sold on a 3rd party.

    Our system currently rewards the negativity, and rewards power to those who fight dirty and win, rather than fighting hard for the best interests of the American people. A major catastrophe such as a bankrupt government will have to occur before people realize the benefit of a viable 3rd party option. We need instant runoff voting! That way you could vote for a 3rd party candidate and not feel your vote was "wasted". Look, the answer lies in the Haiti earthquake. What I mean is that we humans like to think we are in charge and have control. But, in reality we control nothing and like politicians, they like us think we are in charge.

    Until we as individuals change, nothing will change so what good will a 3 party do? Look, without getting religious I say we follow the ten laws handed down to us by GOD. Now, who will cast the first stone? No man nor women can cast a stone. Our govt is owned by one set of special interests or another and we're duped into voting for these candidates along one hackneyed old ideological channel or another.

    It doesn't matter though as they only represent the money that got them there once they're in office. How do we get a third party going? I won't hold my breath. After all the many many years of do-nothing, corruption, hot-air and gridlock on both sides and we still don't have a third party Well it makes me wonder if we ever can. The 'interests' that own both the entrenched parties will simply co-opt and absorb any new effort that comes along. The money cannot stand to be unrepresented in a truly people's party.

    Look at how quickly the slimy Republican machine infiltrated the fledgling TeaBagger uprising and made it their own. I'll be optimistic and hope that we're at the tipping point and sufficient disenfranchisement will make it happen now. I'll give it four years and if not then It's time for a revolution. A real armed revolution that locks up 5, bankers, takes back the constitution and pretty much throws out everything else in the unclean system that's grown up around it and choked it out.

    Consider the recent experience with Lieberman, Nelson Jack, I agree that we need a third party option. We need a party that is going to promote the idea of a government of the people,for the people, and by the people. The two we have don't do this. The system is rigged a thousand directions for the incombant. Ross Perot came close. No one else since. It would have to be someone who is a zillionaire, well respected, carry's less than zero baggage, no skeletons of any kind basically grew up in a vacuum tube and hardly known.

    Otherwise the media will just fry the person into vapor. Less than we imagine. It is hard to find anyone in the country these days who feels like any part of our government represents them. Increasingly greedy business practices are putting us both in physical and financial danger, and it's time that we have some leaders who simply can't be bought. Large amounts of financial backing to facilitate a massive advertising campaign. A majority of the electorate don't closely follow local races, and rely on media run up coverage to make their decisions. If the media isn't reporting a candidate, the candidate won't win.

    Didn't you know that we already have a third party called The Teabaggers? They are the Mob. And believe me, they will bring back the guillotine. Start with the media — rather than give coverage exclusively to the GOP and democrats, talk more about the independents: The more the media takes the independent party seriously enough to merit discussion, the more people will consider them a serious candidate for election.

    Easy, continue to let both parties prove with their policies and agenda there's no difference between them until Americans are finally fed up which I hope is in It's going to take Lou Dobbs, Mr. The Independents need a canidate of there own, Independents are not fond of the republican or democratic party. Lets start in New Jersey with the beginning of a strong Independent Party.

    A third party will only come around when a particular issue, unkown at this time, has three valid sides to it. This issue will have to be an important issue, but once that three-way split occurs, you will find a new party grow taking that issue as the banner and then adding pieces of both existing parties to fill out the rest of their stand.

    Pro-Choice, but against Big Government Moderation will become the standard for that party, but it needs that spark of an issue to create it. Perhaps HealthCare will be it, if anyone ever comes up with a decent idea for it. Voter 4 votes for candidate B. Voter 5 votes for candidate C. Candidate B would be the winner 3 out of 5 votes , though A and C developed enough of a constituency that Candidate B would have to address. This would also change the nature of politics from candidates slinging mud to candidates making themselves look better and appealing to many.

    Jack, the problem isn't a lack of a third party, it is the bitter partisanship that ruins everything. In a more civilized and logical time Americans understood they have to at some point work together for the good of the country, and that doesn't exist anymore. This is apparent when Republicans stonewall every idea the President floats because they want power back.

    Not because they have a better plan. Sad day in America. There is no difference between one or the other, They are all part of the same dysfunctional US Government system, designed to keep the populace distracted and fighting umongst themselves over ideological issues. Worse off, they only have to work for two years in government and then they get a full pension for the remainder of their lives for themselves and their spouses. I am all for instituting a third party, but if this does not work in short order, I advocate replacing the US Government by any and all means necessary!!!

    It will take the entrance of one or more high profile, highly respected if in fact such an individual still exist people from one of the existing parties to throw their weight behind the third party initiative. Every great enterprise requires a Charismatic creditable individual to lead the charge! Washington, Lincoln, Churchill, Regan,??? What it will take is either a large number of Senators and Representatives, both Dem. If they're sick of taxes now they're going to have a coronary in about ten years. Taxes are ludicrously low in this country, and we've got the crumbling schools, failing infrastructure and ludicrously expensive and useless healthcare coverage to show for it.

    Two, bankrupt cities and states, and a massive decline in the standard of living for the poor and middle class at least. I don't really know. Third parties have been more of a spoiler movement rather than a serious endeavor. From the Bull Moose Party to the Independent Party of a few years ago, they seem to have a short lived marginal impact then fade as the voters see the same two Parties bring on new sales tactics and buy into the promise all will be changed if you put us in office.

    I'm now so jaded and cynical I wouldn't trust any third party political hacks either. Sooner or later they would be bought and paid for just like the lunatics we have now. My guess is that canidate would win most of the time. There already is a viable third party in this country.

    It's the unofficial, unorganized independed free thinking American. We are fed up with politicians who are out for wealth, personal gain, and power. We are going to take this country back one state, one district, and one seat at a time. Gone are the days of blind loyalty to the established parties, you have twisted yourselves from right to left and back again. We want a man or woman that is worth following We want an individual that thinks of the country first and makes decisions with integrity based on their stated values.

    What do you mean? It's had great leaders like Nader and Perot. I'm one of those white, middle aged, suburbanite independents and I'm growing tired of my insurance premiums going higher and having to work harder for less pay. I'll never be able to retire at this rate! To get a third party we will all have to get just as fed up as the folks in Massachusetts did. The big businesses and insurance companies are playing both Democrat and Republican politicians for fools.

    The desire is there, the group is there, I think the people want it, but they need organization. Two words - Courage and Belief. Courage to pull the lever for that third party candidate on the ballot if you believe they in fact embody your political beliefs and values. Believing that you won't be "throwing your vote away" by not voting either Republican or Democrat.

    If more people voted their conscience instead of the party line it might be amazing to see the results at the polls. Too many elected officials in both the republican and democratic parties are concerned mainly with either being elected or reelected, not representing their constituents as is their ONLY job. Claire McCaskill said as much herself commenting on the Scott Brown senate victory by saying "If there's anybody in this building that doesn't tell you they're more worried about elections today, you should absolutely slap them".

    Note to all incumbents - Represent the people who put you in office and you'll stay there. I think the only way to make a viable third party is for the people of this great country to stand up and take a stand on massive reform. Too many people have been bought off to care about a swift resolution to solve the problems we face today.

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    I for one would love to see this happen but at the same time something tells me people are too naive to care. If you ran for president Jack you'd have my vote in a heart beat. I'm tired all this mindless government spending and the common man not getting their voice heard. Jack Cafferty in I can see it now: Thank You for everything you do in telling the truth the way it should be.

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    Cafferty willing to take up the discussion. It isn't even so much that the GOP and Dem parties stink as it is that most people are more in the middle than what each party thinks. They are tired of being told how to spend their monaye and how to live their lives. Thanks for taking up this discussion. It isn't going to happen. It did not happen with Ross Perot and all his money and it is not likely to happen now that it takes even more money to run. For the foreseable future we are stuck with the two parties we have but I predict that the number of independent voters will rise rapidly.

    The disappointed voters on the right and left will probably vote less giving the independents an even stronger voice. A third party is cost prohibitive. I don't know but would really love to see a third party. I'm one of those people who run from one party to the next. I would love to see a party for the people. Instant run-off elections are critical to having a successful 3rd party. The voters need to feel they aren't "wasting a vote" by selecting their favorite candidate. It will never happen, but maybe we need a parliamentary form of government so that something actually gets done.

    Jack, Being from Massachusetts, and talking with other Independents, It was not a win for Republicans but a message, that all who are seated in our Congress and Senate should get their Resume's updated. We are tired of these politicians voting on Bills for Favor. This Health care Bill was watered down and meaningless, it only benefitted the Insurance Industry. Independents are tired of all this two Party system which blames each other about everything.

    Make way for all New Congress, and Senate. It is time to replace the relics and put new blood, people who can work together and listen to the People. When it is not a career move then maybe we can start to have the average American in office that understands the needs and wants of the people. It will take a well financed group of individuals that are driven to serve themselves via the political party mechanism to make a third party viable.

    It would be better to abolish the party system all together. Like civil rights, where divisions by race, religion or gender are forbidden, politicians should be one thing- American human beings. The American Party; all of us in the middle, responsible adults, willing to share and work together. That is the question I had when I don't like what Republicans or Democrats offer. A good party name? Science oriented party where everything based facts instead of belief? I like to have a platform where we can get to gether to say our opinion about certain things, then from that platfrom we can form a party.

    We need a party that will take both parties to task, and that keeps away from the often extreme fringes of either party. Our political system is bogged down with debating party platforms, instead of tackling the issues that matter most to Americans. We need a party that sees willingness to compromise as a strength, and that will start doing whats best for the country, instead of what will get politicians re-elected.

    It will take corporate sponsorship to get the ball rolling. Good will does not always yeild go crops if you know what I mean. Jack you don't think the democrats and the republicans started out to mean well? Very, very simple Jack. The media is the is the sole factor that will determine if a 3rd party becomes viable. Lets look at it this way, putting ideology to the side: The party and their supporters get treated as tho they are the fringe of society.

    Until the media treats them with respect, instead of contempt, we'll NEVER get away from the stranglehold the "two"-party system currently has on our Federal, State and Local governments. Jack, The problem isn't the political parties as much as it is the failure of capitalism. Supply side economics has allowed the rich to get much richer and the middle class becoming extinct. The system only works if people care about others. Greed is the REAL issue. Fact is Jack, that after the debacle of the past 9 years now, the demonstrated incapability of the Democrats to govern with a substantial majority, and today's Supreme Court ruling, I hold no great hope for our country — 3rd party or no.

    We could put a sign out from that says simply "Country for Sale" Jack, I'm a white, middle-class, liberal 29 year old suburbanite living in Orlando, FL. I'm also a registered Independent. You're right, neither party seems even slightly concerned about serving the interests of the greater U. They're too busy worrying abou re-election and doing what lobbyists tell them to do. Unfortunately, and as terrifying a prospect as this sounds, I feel the only way to get a third political party going or to get the two that currently exist to listen, is revolution.

    How about for starters the "news" media allow the the independent candidate's a voice on national televised debates. The norm has been if you're not a Rep or Dem, it's tough luck. Or allow every candidate free airtime. Every night, you can have blocks of airtime set up, so the candidate can spew their BS, sorry message of hope and prosperity and sunny days forever. A chicken in every pot and two cars in the garage. Money, lots of money.

    Democrats and Republicans have a stranglehold on campaign finances because interest groups love using a false dichotomy to invalidate their opponents. What uber rich citizen will stand up? None, because they have too much interest in keeping the status quo. It wouldn't have happened without the st Airborne.

    We need a Moderate Party desperately, and it must start local. Just need lots of start up capital and maybe a little governement help, but with the two parties so entrenched, I don't think it will happen. I am tired of one side accusing the other, neither side taking account or any of the blame of the United States current situation. I feel I agree with issues on both sides but the current political people in office cannot think that way. It's either all or nothing just for the sake if "being" a Democrat or Republican.

    When will they start thinking of the American people as a United people instead of Left or Right? We all lose when there is no communication. It will take an act of congress! Let's see hasn't this been tried before? I wonder more about the role that the media plays in this process of left and right, rarely is the center represented in reporting today.

    I am personally sick and tired of the "analysis and opinions" of those who quite honestly are no different than the idiots in Congress. Any more the media are more like sixth grade ghouls than reporters. I think that this might at times include you too Mr. In order for an independent party to succeed, people will have to begin to think for themselves. They will have to spend time analyzing contemporary issues faced by society and forming opinions based on facts and logic and ethics.

    We're too busy working to be able to pay for health care, education, and kids. Or, maybe we're too busy texting, eating fast food, and watching American Idol. The fact of the matter is that the average American has an IQ of and intelligent individuals that form stances on policies based on the above criteria are vastly outnumbered by hockey moms and Joe six packs everywhere. Jack, The 2 parties are like 2 fighting parents in front of there children. The children will grow up to be more argumentive with out resolve. A 3rd party in this country will develop as the country go's deeper into debt, wars continue and no one in the free world likes us anymore.

    The president talks about change. Change will come to this nation only if and when a 3rd party emerges from the disolve of everything the way we used to love here in the US. There is alot of angry people out there Jack. Change is inevitable but not the way Pres. It will take the people to start paying attention to who really has the power and control in this country. We may vote someone out and someone in but its still the same cat in a differnt hat. Our represenatives no longer work for us they work for the all mighty dollar soon to be Yen.


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    • Our government has stood by and allowed the extinction of our once robust industrial spirit. It seems that the U. The people have stood by and supported both parties Dems and Rep so what would make them change now on much smaller issues then ones from the past? I think it is to late for a third party to emerge and be relevant in our government. Our government has become corrupt and broken and a third party won't save it.

      Get ready for an implosion sometime in the next decade or two. Then dare I say revolution to come a short time after. If even half of the people who tell me before every election that they are independents, but just vote for the party because the independent candidate never wins, would actually vote the way they say they believe, a third party could get up and running. The nature of our government could be completely changed by a viable 3rd party. I'm sick of having to choose between two evils.

      It could be done with a strong Presidential candidate who believed in common sense. Unfortunately, it would also take a lot of money and that's where the trouble seems to start. The only way to have a third party is to have a fourth party too. That way the moderates in each party a majority in each party have the most voters. It would almost have to be a coordinated effort between the new parties. Jack, sadly, it would probably take an overhaul of our entire electoral system. According to political scientists, the single-winner voting system wherein one person is elected to represented to represented a constituency nearly always has the effect of creating a two-party system.

      If you look at the democracies around the world that have viable third parties, nearly all them have a proportional electoral system, where the percentage of seats a party gets in the legislature is proportional to the percentage of votes that party received. I think having a large independent voting block NOT affiliated with a party should be the third party. And with that, I would encourage Christians to withdraw from the Republican Party and become part of the independents so they can vote beholden to no one.

      Jack- Before we will see a vialble third party presidential candidate the courts will have to clear away the state election laws that make it so difficult for candidates to get their name on the ballot. But those state election laws were written and are maintained by the status quo pros in the Republican and Democratic parties.

      Duverger's law plainly and logically shows that in a winner-take-all presidential election system two parties will always coalesce eventually. Dallas, Texas The best way to get a viable third party is to require a voter majority in the presidential election. Third parties generally reflect the people's wishes. A major political party would need to include the third party's ideas in order to ensure a voter majority. That way the people's voice would have representation in Washington, even if the major party gets elected.

      If the elected party then ignores their promices to the third party supporters, the third party would swing the next election another direction. This would bring some accountability to the politicians. The third party would not need to be a majority in order to get their voices heard and get action on their agenda. It will take both lots of money and an array of candidates who aren't perceived as being members of a third party simply because they're too unbelievably wacky even to be members of our current wacky parties.

      Approval voting is the way to go. Let people vote for more than one candidate. Then votes for third parties will no longer be "wasted votes". My solution would be to have the moderates of both parties who are the true representatives of the vast majority of Americans , come together and form a third party that's politically in the center, leaving the extremes of both sides where they belong — in the margins! I believe that beginning with this relatively small bloc of moderate lawmakers, the new party would quickly grow within a few election cycles, to the point where you'd find most of our elected officials are affiliated with the new third party and are willing and able to work through the minor differences they'll encounter.