
The Primary Solution
Rescuing Our Democracy from the Fringes
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Narrated by:
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Pete Simonelli
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Nick Troiano - introduction
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By:
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Nick Troiano
About this listen
In a divided America, the biggest solvable problem fueling political extremism and dysfunction is hiding in plain sight: party primaries. The Primary Solution is the “thought-provoking” (Arnold Schwarzenegger) answer the country needs.
Congress has become an unproductive and unaccountable mess. Polls show that only twenty percent of Americans think it’s doing a good job—yet ninety percent of incumbents are reelected. This shocking discrepancy is a natural outcome of our system of party primaries and their polarizing incentives.
Party primaries were invented over a century ago to democratize candidate nominations, but today their exclusionary rules and low turnout guarantee the exact opposite: only a small fraction of votes wind up deciding the vast majority of our elections. The result is a Congress that, rather than representing a majority of Americans, is instead beholden to the fringes of both major parties. This is the “primary problem” in our politics today. Fortunately, The Primary Solution “illuminates a powerful yet practical pathway out” (James Stavridis, Admiral, US Navy, Retired) and is “a must-read for anyone who wants a sane democracy” (Danielle Allen, author of Our Declaration).
Nick Troiano, founding executive director of Unite America, makes a bold proposal to abolish party primaries in our country. Doing so does not require a Constitutional amendment or an act of Congress. In fact, several states have already replaced party primaries with nonpartisan primaries that give all the voters the freedom to vote for any candidate in every election, regardless of party.
“A fresh, timely political analysis” (Kirkus Reviews), The Primary Solution offers voters across the political spectrum a realistic roadmap to a more representative and functional democracy.
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Required Reading
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Excellent collection of ideas and analysis centered around action
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A must read for all Americans.
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Important Topic
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Relevance
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A realistic, solution in line with the Founders Intent
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very sobering
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The Essential Step
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The best, and worth every minute reading, every penny spent, is the pragmatic and workable path described to help. I like that this is offered as a tool to help allow other solutions, not as a magic cure, but I am absolutely convinced that election reform is crucial for the United States.
important and a road forward
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