Political parties in the US

[helstad]

First of all, and because i know politics is always a sensitive matter, i want to make clear that i am in no way criticizing the american political system. I merely want to understand a few things that have always confused me about american politics and hopefully some of you will help me understand it.

For example when i see the results of elections (President, Senate or House of Representatives) i only see 2 parties: Democratic and Republican parties.

Taking the results of the last elections for the House of Representatives, these 2 parties together had 96.1% of the votes.

I´ve always found very hard to believe that only 2 parties can represent the political ideas and ideologies of more than 96% of the population of a country with so many millions of people. Wouldn´t it be normal to have more parties with seats in the House of Representatives? Even if only 1 or 2?

I´ll give the example of what happens in Portugal, where there are 2 big parties that have won all the election since we´re a democracy. The Socialist Party is the equivalent of the Democratic Party (don´t let the word socialist fool you) and the Social Democratic Party is the equivalent of the Republican Party. And when i say equivalent i mean their politics and views are extremely similar. No parties besides these 2 have any real chances of winning any national elections.

However, when we look at the National Assembly, that has 228 seats, these are the parties with seats:

Socialist Party - 121
Social Democratic Party - 74
Communist Party - 12
Popular Party - 10
Left-Wing Block - 8
Ecologist Green Party - 2
Monarchic Party - 1

There are 5 parties with no chances of winning elections but they have seats in the Assembly and they often generate very interesting debates and ideas. Ultimately the "big 2" will make the decisions (sometimes they ally with a small party to approve certain laws) but this great variety of views and ideologies can only be good for democracy itself in my opinion.

I guess my question is what do you guys thing about this? Is your current system with only 2 parties with a "real voice" stimulating for a democracy? Would you like to have more parties represented in Washington not to govern but to generate debate and ideas?

Again i´ll say that i don´t know enough of your system to have a consistent opinion but i would love to read some opinions from you.

[OnePimpTiger]

It very much seems like there are only two parties in American politics and for all intents and purposes, there are. But there are other parties, while they are extremely small and usually have little to no effect. There's the Green party, Libertarians, and I'm sure a few others. Senator Joe Lieberman actually left the Democratic party and became a Libertarian, so there are a few in Congress.

And sometimes they do play a major role in elections like when Ralph Nader took votes away from Al Gore, which led to Bush winning his 2nd term. Without Nader in the race, Gore would have most likely won.

But for the most part you're right, you don't see anything about them. I think a system like Portugals would be great. Libertarians apparently have a pretty large following, just very little success at getting someone elected. It would be nice to see other parties with a larger voice in Congress. And it's possible that may happen...it seems there are increasingly more people who do not feel they are Republican or Democrat. If we can get past the idea that another candidate has not chance of winning and therefore there is no reason to vote for them, then maybe more can be elected. Of course, this is the way things have been for a long time and I'm sure people have said that many times before in the past...

[haybierman]

I would offer the argument that there are 50 different republican parties and 50 different democrat parties in the US. A Republican in New York likely has many stark differences to say a Republican from Texas. The same can be said for Democrats as well. In fact, one could argue that many Southern Democrats are more conservative than some Northeastern Republicans.

Sure, in name only we have two parties. But I think it's a lot more complex than most people believe.

[OnePimpTiger]

Good point haybierman...spot on.

[streicher187]

Yes but for the most part Republicans vote with republicans and Dem vote with Dem. no matter where they are from and the only reason lieberman left the Dem party is he was voted out and had to run as an independant.

The rules are set up against a 3rd party as the standards to get on the ballot are different in every state and even if you get on the 2 main parties usually take you to court to keep you off. then you are not allowed in the debates by the main parties so it's almost impossible which is why Jesse Ventura isn't running..

The ONLY way to stop the 2 party system is from the ground up, you need to win local offices then move on to state offices. When 3rd party candidates start becoming gov. and then getting elected to the house and senate that would start the beginning of a 3rd party..

Don't forge Lincoln was the 3rd party candidate when he won the presidency.

[rodent14]

Don't forge Lincoln was the 3rd party candidate when he won the presidency.

actually that's not really true. the whig party had disintegrated in the early 1850s, so by the election of 1860 the republican party had become a legitimate contender. in 1856 they finished second with fremont as their candidate so I wouldn't really call them a third party in 1860. a better third party example for that year would have been john bell running with the constitutional union party or millard fillmore when he ran with the know nothing party in 1856, but both of those candidates lost

[daniel3417]

In answer to your question, both the Democrats and the Republicans are extremely similar in how they acquire votes: Agree with everybody. Any sort of ideology that comes up from a Libertarian, for instance, is sucked up by the Republicans, while the same goes for a Communistic idea for Democrats. Both of the parties have huge platforms with an opinion on everything rather than having a specialization.

I think that we are in for a small revolution when it comes to parties in the future. The Green Party may have spoiled Gore's election, while Bart Barr, a Libertarian, might ruin McCain's chances. It's hard to stradle the fence of Republicans-Democrats if you don't appeal to the true Republicans/Democrats of your own party. Cough cough John McCain.

[bartertrader]

I will tell you all why B/C are two major Parties are a Financial Offensive Juggernaut . That throw money around to all the right people in different high up places. I.E. Like the media. Anybody who says I'am wrong or disagrees with this is either a liar or naive. Proof look at all the major debates. There are never any ones including Third party canidates. Or the ones that do include them or where they show up, WOW what a coincedence the Major party canidates don't Participate / show up. Not to mention the all the forceful techniques they use. Remember when Perot ran for president and then dropped out all of a sudden. Later he told how is and his family members lives were threatened. Alot of people were made to believe that he was just crackpot loon. If you were one of those people think about how your opinion was formed was it just B/C he quit. Which that in itself should make you question why. No one drops out of a race that big for no good reasons at all. Or did you form the opinion based on stuff you saw / or read in the media , news outlets. Think about how far people go to protect their money just in everyday society let alone a party campaign machine. That rakes up hundreds of millions of dollars if not a few billion. So think how far those people in charge are willing to go to shut down anybody who is a true canidate and actually cares about the people. Then you maybe you will start to get an inkling of far lopsided the people we need to have in office have of a chance at a true fair election. People need to quit being lemmings in this country and start being their own leaders start voting for Third party canidates and stop voting for one of the main party canidates just B/C you don't wanna vote for someone who you think will lose.
This upcoming election would make are forefathers sick. We have squandered our freedom of voting to the point of the highest elected post in the land has come down to who is the less garbage to put into the office. Sadly both canidates are out of touch. McCain is not truely a Republican , and Obama is one of the FAR LEFT crazy loons that hijacked the Democrat party and made it into the ULTRA LIBERAL party that it is. Not hardly reflecting the true feelings or views or intentions of the 98% Majority of that parties voting block. NO the average person does not support alternative marriage. Or any of the other crazy far off ideas.

[streicher187]

NO the average person does not support alternative marriage

That is your opinion.

[bartertrader]

DUDE I hope your not talking to me or about what I said. READ carefully. I said the average person doesn't believe in it. It's the elite of that party that supports it. Make sure you can fully comprehend what you read before you put down a response like to a political discussion. Good Grief..