Will We Ever Break Away From the Current Two Parties? (Representatives, generation)
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I think they both need to be reformed a lot or die away. (Yes, both, so don't use this as an opportunity to post about how the other party is the only one that's messed up). It's all entrenched in partisan wars instead of actual policies for the most part and the country gets further and further split, it feels like.
I would like to see a couple of new parties rise up, either to be present as true actual alternatives to the Republicans and Democrats, or replacements. Something more moderate either way.
What can we do for a change? Many people are afraid or don't bother to vote third party because it won't count. If we don't, though, it's just self-fulfilling.
Will We Ever Break Away From the Current Two Parties?
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IMO, NO, because then they have to change July 4th day, since the day we break away from the two current parties, it will be the REAL celebration of Independence and liberation day.
It wouldn't work in electing a President with our present electoral college in that there are 538 electoral votes up for grabs. A candidate needs 270 to win. When you insert a 3rd candidate you spread the votes further and assume no candidate receives 270.
The House then picks the President and which ever party controls the house picks the person from their party. It could even be the person who had the least amount of votes.
Focus on local vs national. A 3rd party candidate given the right area can win. I don't know if we have any 3rd party Senators, but we had governors who are 3rd party. Probably even Representatives.
The 3rd parties should focus completely on local areas and strategically pick the more libertarian places, like Northern CA and Texas. Get the spots in city mayor, State rep, etc. Then in another generation go for the Senate. Every 4 years I am amazed how the 3rd party folks come out and really push for the Presidential spot, it is a waste of time and money.
It wouldn't work in electing a President with our present electoral college in that there are 538 electoral votes up for grabs. A candidate needs 270 to win. When you insert a 3rd candidate you spread the votes further and assume no candidate receives 270.
The House then picks the President and which ever party controls the house picks the person from their party. It could even be the person who had the least amount of votes.
The Electoral College does not work independently from political parties and is therefore redundant. It also does not work as our Founding Fathers intended it to work. Time to get rid of it. Simple majority of votes in the general election is all that's needed.
What America really needs to do is get off this addiction to political parties. It's dividing our country and, as already seen, makes democracy vulnerable to being undermined.
A political party is a social institution built on shared values and interests. It is an open ongoing question whether a particular party best represents your values and interests, and an open ongoing question whether the party deserves your support. We should always be questioning if the party we support, supports us.
We should not support a party while judging that it is corrupt or deeply misguided. We should not be prepared to do wrong for the sake of a party. We should not assume the best of a political party or give it the benefit of the doubt. Falling in love with a political party is helps only the party and the politicians. A political party is not a family, or even a sports team, and should not be treated like one.
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