Join the Democrats and become progressives?

This stuff about destruction of the GOP is never going to happen. Because those voters do not vote for the GOP...they vote against Democrats.

I suppose what those who push the "self-immolation" scenario are banking on is that the sector of that party who are working-class but vote 'Pug on "social issues" will finally understand where their true interests lie...but that's a lot of "false consciousness" to break through.

How effective are the current third parties now?

One thing though, the greatest threat from a ruptured GOP isnt the break up of the current GOP, the greatest threat is probably from the 1/3 of the GOP moderate enough to want to switch to the Democratic party in order to continue exerting influence through our party.

Which could result in the end of any possibility of getting any progressive policies enacted in the future.

We've already seen the likes of the DLC trying to recreate Reagan's GOP in our party, now imagine a hundred fold increase in the numbers of right wingers worming their way through the ranks of our party.

1) For the most part they are not very bright.
2) GOP co. spends a heck of a lot of money to keep them that way.
3) See 1 and 2.

The "cuts" are cuts from projected increases in spending, but they are not cuts in actual dollars spent.

Since they get everything they want anyway from Dems,
only a little kinder and gentler. <--makes for better
"cover".

Don't shop, buy, eat, vacation, or deal with conservative business. What is the use in being a Democrat if Democrats constantly patronize the very businesses that then use our dollars to destroy us. As long as many among us continue to spend they will continue to rebuild the GOP. Kinda like a public school teacher who shops at Walmart.

have a nice weekend.

to try to pacify while they help the TeaPubliKlans trash the place with our support.