Do you believe that the two party system is beneficial or detrimental to America?

2015-12-17T23:50:08-05:00

I do not think things are being done with the interests of the typical American in mind, should we look for a better way to allow our system of government to work?

Response by SSG Brian Hosenfeld made Dec 18 at 2015 12:06 AM

2015-12-18T00:06:16-05:00

The two party system works just fine. In the history of our country, we can see changes in the party's who ran for higher elected office. Some were important at the time, but less useful today. We've evolved to where we are today. If the political system becomes too toxic, and to some we are in the worst scenario that we have even seen in a historical sense, then change will come. One thing that I think would be useful is to term limit ALL elected positions. It should be a willingness to serve to effect change, then get back out and to your profession. Career politicians rarely seem to keep the will of their constituents in mind. Sure there have been and are some great elected leaders. But once you're done with a position, you're out. Go back to the masses. The government works for US, not the other way around. This is the reason why were seeing so much turmoil in the political arena today, in my opinion.

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Dec 18 at 2015 12:43 AM

2015-12-18T00:43:42-05:00

Two party system is not a good system. Maybe we should go back to the olden days of US elections where the guy with the most votes is President and the guy with the second most votes is Vice President. Now THAT would make for some great press conferences!

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Dec 18 at 2015 3:41 AM

2015-12-18T03:41:57-05:00

The two Party system is better than the chaotic multiple Party systems seen elsewhere, but it is dependent upon good citizenship - learning the way our government works - and a responsible media informing the people of the issues. Both our educational system and national media are falling well short of fulfilling their functions, and this has led to an electorate that has made very unfortunate decisions. If we do not get it together as a nation we will decline and fall like all of the previous once-great civilizations before us.

Response by SSgt Christopher Brose made Dec 18 at 2015 4:06 AM

2015-12-18T04:06:30-05:00

I don't like it.

The two party system is the least of all possible evils in our current archaic election system. All of it needs a good overhaul. Right now, some states have a disproportionate amount of influence on who runs for President, and other states have virtually none. On election day, east coast states have more influence than west coast states. That's all unacceptable in the age of instant communication.

Regarding the two party system, we're pretty much stuck with it until we can have runoff elections. The problem with multiple party systems in other countries is that they each get a little piece of the pie, and then after the election they have to form coalition governments. Here, it's different. We actually have a bazillion parties, but the others get very few votes because most voters feel like it would be a wasted vote, even if one of the small parties more closely represents them.

But if we had runoff elections, we could vote for who we really wanted in the general election. Then a couple weeks later, the top two candidates from the general election would face off in the runoff election, and voters would be able to make a final choice for President. The two major parties would have less influence, and people's individual votes would be more meaningful.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Dec 18 at 2015 4:58 AM

2015-12-18T04:58:57-05:00

As already stated with the instant communication, undue influence is placed on the system. With all the exit polls, early returns announced, many people in the western time zones either don't vote or don't care. If exit polls weren't allowed and no results could be announced until polls close on in the western time zones things would be better off.

For the two party system, right now there's not much difference between them. In the last election the public sent a clear message they wanted change, the Republicans took charge and went directly to bed with the Democrats. I think it's time to see what other choices would make the others toe the line and remember who they work for.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2015 7:01 AM

2015-12-18T07:01:27-05:00

I think that it is detrimental to the fact that voters have to pigeon hole themselves into one of those parties for their votes "to count". one way to address this without losing anything we have, in my opinion, would be to create a third house of congress that is bases on a parliamentary system. in this way smaller parties can have somewhat of a voice in the government.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2015 7:19 AM

2015-12-18T07:19:18-05:00

Party system is never good in the mind of our founding father. It is about party affiliation.

Many will claim two parties system is better, why? because it make the congress more effective in pass bills, and still retain partial choices for the general public. Federalist and anti-federalist, this boil down to the same old argument from the beginning of our nation. People believe in the two parties system, generally still believe in a Federal Government and wanted it be able to do things. People that don't believe in parties system because they don't want the Federal Government to do anything except when mass general population supported such "bill".

People nowadays don't want to get away from two parties system because it worked, bills passed and it still feel like there are option for them to choose. But instead, it is all false option. It is like the Matrix movie, you thought you have a choice, but actually they had lay their choices in front of you. This is why we moving toward a direction that a good portion of American disagree with.

Instead of understanding the two parties system as making the Federal Government more effective in pass bills, we should understand it as a system that let a smaller group of "majority" to control a "bigger" group of minority.

If only people understand these ...

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Dec 18 at 2015 7:29 AM

2015-12-18T07:29:37-05:00

The problem isn't really the two party system, it is the people in politics and the chasm between the more polar opposites in the country today.

If we went to 3 parties or 5 parties we would more than likely have candidates elected by plurality of the popular vote (possible electoral too), not a majority. We have had that happen numerous times, as recently as Bill Clinton. I am not sure elections by plurality (with multiple parties) would serve us any better than elections by a majority (with two parties).

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Dec 18 at 2015 9:07 AM

2015-12-18T09:07:36-05:00

It's not the "two party system" it's the Framework (Constitution) which makes the 2-Party System the only viable system to compete.

It's like a board game. Unless there are rules which explicitly promote more than 2 parties, then each party will actively try to limit the number of parties available (down to 1). It's all about control of the board. Why divide your resources, when you can team up and knock out a lesser player, and then focus on the real task of fighting each other for dominance.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Dec 18 at 2015 9:43 PM

2015-12-18T21:43:45-05:00

Bad.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7tWHJfhiyo

The Problems with First Past the Post Voting Explained

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Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2015 10:43 PM

2015-12-18T22:43:10-05:00

Reading George Washington's farewell address is a good start. Party is exactly what he was warning us about. It's too bad the future generations did not heed his warning about splintering factions.

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Dec 18 at 2015 11:25 PM

2015-12-18T23:25:25-05:00

the two political parties are merely different cheeks on the same ass.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2015 9:49 AM

2015-12-23T09:49:03-05:00

It's sad to say, politics have come down to a popularity contest, no different than a season of American Idol. Who can give away the most stuff for votes and ideological differences which result in name calling. Very sad state of affairs.