Is a Third Party Possible in America?
By Gorcon
@Gorcon (320)
United States
July 28, 2008 3:05pm CST
Is a third party being created in America possible? Or do the Republicans and Democrats have too strong a hold on the political process? I don't think it'd be possible and is a shame that in such a diverse country and a so-called "democracy" we only have two parties. I believe the Democrats and Republicans are far too well-organized, well-funded and established for any third parties to be formed. It's a shame that we're stuck with two parties that both end up hurting Americans over their bickering, squabbling, lies and deceit.
I think it'd be beneficial if we were to have more parties and would allow for more points of view to be expressed. I don't think that just Democrats and Republicans are representative of such a diverse and large country like the US. We need another party, if not more parties.
So, my question is, is it possible?
3 responses
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
29 Jul 08
It's not only possible but it is already so. There are nearly 75 parties in this country. The reason we usualy have only 2 to 3 parties to choose from lies with the fault of voters. Sorry, it had to be said. It's our fault. The government doesn't run the parties, we do, they are not government entities. We continualy support either dem's or gop's like sheep. Every state has different rules for getting a party on the ballot so the answer is found at the state level. Lobby your state reps to make it easier to get your candidate on the ballot. Ponate to that party you find interesting ans serving to your interests. Campaign for them. network, tell other people about them. tell other people to lobby the state government for different voting laws. It's our system people and it's up to US to fix it.
1 person likes this
@Gorcon (320)
• United States
29 Jul 08
But again, the Democrats and Republicans are benefiting from the campaign finance system and won't allow for other parties to emerge and it certainly is an uphill battle for any third parties. The Democrats and Republicans are juggernauts that essentially have a monopoly and tight hold on the political process.
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
30 Jul 08
This is one of the few things I agrea with as far as Obama is concerned, he opted out of public financing because it is corrupt. ron Paul is another good example, look how much financing he was able to get using only the internet, nearly hundreds of millions. Parties will fail if they continue to rely on the public finance system. Yes, it needs fixxing, but until such a time, we the voters and the candidates should simply shun it.
1 person likes this
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
30 Jul 08
Well I think that another party would be great, but I honestly feel that Americans are too closed minded to open up toward another party that may be better. I vote the person, usually it's the Democrat, but if another person/party had better ideas I would vote for the person-if the person had a good chance of winning because I wouldn't want to place a icky party in office, if the third party was to take a good portion of the votes but not enough to win. Sorry if that is confusing I just am having a Monday today.
1 person likes this
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
31 Jul 08
Well we could vote for Nadar or that old guy with the big ears, Ross something or other. I might have voted for Nadar in 2004 but I really didn't want Bush in again little did I know lol.
1 person likes this
@Gorcon (320)
• United States
31 Jul 08
Isn't there some poll out there that says most Americans are independents? And yeah that's all you really can do is vote for the person, Democrat or Republican. I just find it shocking that throughout our history as a nation we've only been able to have two parties, which really aren't representative at all of such a large nation.
@ClarusVisum (2163)
• United States
29 Jul 08
A third (and more) party will be viable once the campaign financing system is overhauled, so that no candidate has a financial advantage. Strict rules need to be put in place, and if they're violated once, that's it, you're disqualified from your candidacy. I think a system like that would be a lot fairer, and prevent money from deciding everything.
1 person likes this
@Gorcon (320)
• United States
29 Jul 08
Yeah, that seems like it's never going to happen, as the campaign financing system is so messed up and benefits just the Democrats and Republicans. Even at a local level it's hard to run for any other party but Democrat or Republican---overall it's the only way you can get into office.
