The two party system

Does anyone else agree that the both of our political parties are flawed?

Either way, why?

Is there something better out there?

 

I agree they are both flawed, and probably for the same reason. Money buys power and both have sold out.

Perhaps a non-party system. Let candidates run individually on their own merits. Free air time and open debates.

 

And no electoral college

 

the electoral college is an important part of federalism

 

How so?

 

It makes an entire state important(even now if they're just swing states) and does balance out the power slighty of large vs small states.

 

Why should states that have less area and/or population carry the same weight as larger ones?

THAT allows the few to rule the many...

 

They don't carry anywhere near that ratio, the smaller ones get a slight advantage, but again, why should each state only have 2 senators, like wtf North Dakota and New York both have the same power in the senate. It's because states actually have the vast control of every day laws, regulations, things that effect your life, not having a divided system would mean NYC and it's suburbs alone would have more power then North Dakota, South Dakota, Idaho, Montanna, Alaska, Nebraska, Wyoming and Kansas put together.

 

i don't believe i likeee that...

One person

One vote

You know, like why should 1,000 New Yorker's have to vote a certain way just to OFFSET 5 voters in one of the states you mentioned?

 

Study a little history and you will understand, Fyrenza. Things haven't always been the way they are today. In the beginning, people didn't vote for the President or their Senators. The House of Representatives was the body of the federal government that represented the people. The Senate was there to represent the States. This was at a time when power was much more localized and not so centralized in the federal government.

 

Whether it's a two-party system or a ten-party system, whoever wins is whoever has the most funding from the transnationals and banks, and unwavering support by the media, of course.

Part of the problem may have to do with the fact that people think the US is supposed to be a democracy, when in fact it is supposed to be a republic.

 

.

 

DAMN! And i was SO hoping no one would notice...

One of the downsides to overseas schooling ~ not too much emphasis put on American geography, history, or government. Well, that and the fact that i took those classes pre-1970, which was a LONG time ago...

You know, THAT would be a good thread ~ U.S. Government: How It SHOULD Work. Especially if some of y'all that actually understand it, and what it means to each of us, could help out with some explanations.

Well, let's see if there's any interest...

 

Don't worry, they don't teach much of that stuff in US public schools either. Most of the information I have learned has been by my own efforts.

Well I don't have the time right now to go into details about US government history, plus I think this is probably a bit off topic for this thread as well.

 

A parliamentary government would solve our two-party system.

 

No?

It'd still be a first past the post system and people would be elected to congress(parliament) the same way.

 

The Republican Party is so messed up right now that I wonder if in the long-run it will be replaced by the Libertarians, who at least have a consistent philosophy.

 

im not a big fan of the electoral college, though its the best solution we have now. I just hate how if a person gets 51% of the votes in a state all the electoral votes go to that person (except in a few states).

 

You can always make it a Mixed-Member Proportional Representation system and scrap the FPTP.

 

Rat

Look at the origins -

Res – thing
Publicus – of the people

Respublica – things of the people

Republic - A political order in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who are entitled to vote for officers and representatives responsible to them.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language

*

Demos – people
Kratos – rule

Demokratia – rule of the people

Democracy - Government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language

*

A republic can be a democracy and a democracy can be a republic.