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Breaking The 2 Party System

Discussion in 'Political Debate & Discussion' started by Cutter, May 19, 2010.

  1. Cutter

    Cutter New Member

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    One of the things that I think cripples the ability of our country to break free of the two party debacle is the winner takes it all voting system (well 50% plus one anyway) that we currently have in place, making it difficult for a new party to make any headway and have an impact on the political landscape. To be a new party candidate and have to out of the box draw that huge of a percent of the vote is virtually impossible. Thoughts...
     
  2. Mississippi John

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    You are on to something there Cutter.

    But, I don't believe the "powers that be" ,want a change...so, ...there won't be a change.
     
  3. NaasPreacher (C4K)

    NaasPreacher (C4K) Well-Known Member

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    The Electoral College is not the problem. The problem is going to be fixed when people begin acting at a local level and choosing representatives from outside the Republicrat party.

    I do, however agree that states should consider changing the 'winner take all' option and opt for proportional Electoral College boring like Nebraska has done. I am a strong state's rightest and think states should choose their electors the way they want
     
  4. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    This is the reason I like the fusion ballot. Here in NY, the Conservative Party will be having its State Convention in late May. The Republicans will have theirs in Early June. Now, the Republicans know it is virtually impossible to win a state wide election without the Conservative Party endorsement.

    We may be a small party, but we carry a lot of weight. Now if the Independence Party will only endorse our candidate for Governer...

    Normally, we do endorse the Republican Candidate - but not always - you think they would eventually learn...
     
  5. saturneptune

    saturneptune New Member

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    The most urgent task of the American people is to rid ourselves of the entrenched two existing parties. Person after person has argued with me about the gap between the two. If a third party ever becomes a threat to the other two, you watch how quickly they becomoe one entity, so close that even the most extreme apologist could see it.

    The above ideas are a good way to start the process, but the ultimate solution is us, the voters. Tuesday showed some very good signs. Arlen Spector was defeated, Rand Paul crushed his opponent over the support of Mitch McConnell, and Senator Lincoln was forced into a runoff primary.

    Since the electoral college is in the Constitution, an amendment would be required to change it, which is very unlikely. Short of that, I agree with the above that each state has the right to select how they choose their electors. Personally, I would like to see them awarded on proportional representation. The other key is voter turnout. There are lots of people who do not vote, and lots who are not even registered.
     
  6. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    The electoral college is one of the most brilliant things devised to help govern this nation. It is truly one of greatest contributions made to electoral system.

    As for the "winner takes all" approach...we fought a war to make us not like England a long time ago, I don't care much to adopt their ridiculous parliamentary procedure.

    The best hope for breaking the two party system (which is terrible, we agree on this) is to see a viable third party link up with significant leaders and gain credibility. Until then we are stuck with terrible political party A and terrible political party B for the foreseeable future.
     
  7. Revmitchell

    Revmitchell Well-Known Member
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    Parties do not create a better system. Men of integrity and a concern for the country rather than power do. Creating one more party will do nothing more than giving us three parties that are all the same instead of two. It is a bandaid on a shotgun wound. We need men like Daniel Webster who is running for congress out of Florida.
     
  8. Cutter

    Cutter New Member

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    I agree, but doesn't the EC have a bearing on only one election, that of the POTUS? I do not understand why it would even be brought up in this discussion.
     
  9. saturneptune

    saturneptune New Member

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    A third party is not the solution. The solution is getting rid of the present two parties and replacing them, and while we are at it, take some of the TARP money and build a prison for the present leadership that is stealing from us daily, chain gangs and breaking rocks. I would put the Arizona sheriff in charge of them.
     
    #9 saturneptune, May 20, 2010
    Last edited by a moderator: May 20, 2010
  10. Cutter

    Cutter New Member

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    I like it! :laugh: :thumbs:
     
  11. exscentric

    exscentric Well-Known Member
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    The mantra can be "GO SHERIFF JOE" or even better simply "GO JOE GO!":laugh::laugh::laugh:
     
  12. NaasPreacher (C4K)

    NaasPreacher (C4K) Well-Known Member

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    Apologies. I misunderstood. What do you mean by 'winner take all' being a problem?
     
  13. billwald

    billwald New Member

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    Congress has control over federal elections and will never vote against their job security. It would take a constitutional amendment to change the voting system for federal elections.
     
  14. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Partly true - The State or Commonwealth also has some control over their own elections.

    One problem I just came to realize is the division of congressional races - among others.
    NY has 29 Congressman. In theory each distinct is to have the same number of voters. Of course, this would nearly be impossible, so there is a =/- of about 3% (I think the % is correct) Anyways - in NY City which is mainly democratic each district is a <-> and upstate all have <+>. This way NY City and surrounding area actually get a 2 or 3 additional seats in Congress, where Upstate gets shortchanged.

    Bottom line, each one of us need to get personally involved with our local town or county political party and then help shape the policies in your hometown.

    Better yet, run for office - at a minimum give the voters a choice. Way too many "races" are unopposed!

    Salty
     
  15. Cutter

    Cutter New Member

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    There is not any way for a third party candidate to enter politics without winning the majority of the vote. Something that is difficult to do when they would have to win over 50% of the votes cast in an election. Therefore, the person who receives the most votes takes the election or "winner takes it all."
     
  16. J.D.

    J.D. Active Member
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    I've become convinced that the two party system must be changed if we are to have any hope for the future of this country. As long as conservatives keep voting for republicans, the Republican Party will never stop taking the conservative base for granted. Better to have a new party that more accurately represents the views of conservatives. Wouldn't it be better to have a few reps that actually represent our views than to have a hundred that say they're on our side to get our vote and then "reluctantly" change their minds once their in office?
     
  17. NaasPreacher (C4K)

    NaasPreacher (C4K) Well-Known Member

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    What would you suggest to correct this?
     
  18. Cutter

    Cutter New Member

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    I wish I had an answer for this. The ballot box is our only resource now. I just wish that there would be an overwhelming groundswell of constituents that could elevate a few third party candidates to office and put the good old boy network on both sides of the aisle on notice that the status quo is not cutting it anymore.
     
  19. NaasPreacher (C4K)

    NaasPreacher (C4K) Well-Known Member

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    I think majority selection is good. I want the winner to the be the winner and not someone who only has 40% of the vote. Even worse is the voting system used here where you vote for your 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th choice and as candidates at the bottom are eliminated their second etc. votes are assigned to those still in the race. Yes, it is a mess :) .

    The only answer is the ballot box. The target needs to be the House of Representatives. The problem is that 'throw the bums out' usually means all the bums but my local bum who acquired that new road/bridge/civic centre for our district.

    The answer is simple - the disenchanted need to put forth candidates and vote.
     
  20. Timsings

    Timsings Member
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    One thing I would like to see implemented is taking away from state legislatures the responsibility of drawing the lines defining congressional districts. Some states already do this. I think Iowa is one. They have independent, bi-partisan commissions draw the lines. They wind up with more regional districts which are more competitive instead of the gerrymandered districts that we have now. Stronger competition forces the candidates to actually deal with issues, be more responsive to their constituents, and be more accountable to their constituents.

    Tim Reynolds
     
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