Do you think our bipartisan system of government works?

SGT Darryl Allen — Wed, 27 May 2015 21:00:25 -0400

With the current state of our government constantly in a push/pull for a majority vote, do you think that the addition of a third major party would have any affect on the stalemate stance we often find our house and senate in?

It seems that having two parties is having a polarizing affect on our nation and constantly pitting Democrat vs. Republican and vice versa with little wiggle room for personal opinion. It seems that, with the way our media reports, our country is becoming extremely divided between these groups and, rather than encourage debate and discussion, simply causes people to alienate those with different political and social views in favor of people with identical views.

Would having more major parties allow people to be more comfortable to reconsider their stance on their political and social views without fear of being ostracized from their peers?

(By major party I mean a party with the ability to contend for seats in the house, senate and presidential office)

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made May 27 at 2015 9:09 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Wed, 27 May 2015 21:09:31 -0400

Looking at the evolution of political parties in the U.S., we're "due" for an emerging party to step in. Federalist and the Whigs are dinosaurs. However, there is opportunity for the Libertarians, Tea, and Green Parties. Our own history indicates these "new" parties have proved to create a lot of positive change --mostly in allow the people to be better represented. That's my $0.02.

Response by LCpl Steve Wininger made May 27 at 2015 9:42 PM

LCpl Steve Wininger — Wed, 27 May 2015 21:42:45 -0400

I don't think it will make much difference If other parties seek to divide. I like the idea of more than two parties because it can make special interests less effective. We need a party that can unite the people and not alienate them. This can only happen when the media quits influencing public opinion about what issues they think are important.
We are sinking fast, the government on both sides of the isle are corrupt but yet they continue being reelected.

I think the new mindset has started, but the electorates mindset has to change more.

The fact two of the main contenders for 2016 are a Bush and a Clinton says many voters still have their heads in their ass.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made May 27 at 2015 10:07 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Wed, 27 May 2015 22:07:13 -0400

The parliamentary system uses multiple parties. Works great until someone forms a coalition and gains power forever because the other parties split the remainder. This is how Harper stays in power in Canada despite the Conservative party not being a majority.

Response by LTC John Shaw made May 27 at 2015 10:22 PM

LTC John Shaw — Wed, 27 May 2015 22:22:10 -0400

I would like to see more choices, not less. The issue seems to be that when a party starts to pull enough people from the GOP or Dems then the larger party reacts to try and incorporate them into the fold. This has been the case with the Green for the Dems and Tea for the GOP.

Libertarians exist in both parties but can't break through either parties desire to control. I am a conservative christian, but I would love to see a fiscally conservative party with a constitutional/libertarian bent on social issues. Most social issues should not be addressed by the federal government as they are not enumerated powers.

We will go through another cycle of the MSM not really discussing issues, just BS. We need to get to a shorter election. Otherwise it is always politics all the time leaving no room for compromise.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 12:30 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 00:30:40 -0400

We have one more political party that Cuba... how can anyone think that's a good thing? We need more political parties.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made May 28 at 2015 12:35 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Thu, 28 May 2015 00:35:10 -0400

I think the divisions in government reflect the divisions of the public dating back to the '60s counter-culture movement. The counter-culture rebelled against the traditional culture and thought that they could re-invent society - they gave us the drug culture, the breakdown of law and order, the breakdown of the family structure, and the rejection of personal responsibility, among other similar improvements.

The hippies of the '60s became the teachers and reporters of today, and that has given rise to today's liberals. The traditional culture of those times gave rise to today's conservatives.

The two ideologies have less and less in common as time goes on, and have formed mutually exclusive views of the world.

See: Thomas Sowell and a Conflict of Visions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGvYqaxSPp4

Our politics reflect those differences in ideology, and the divisions are increasing with time.

See: Political Polarization in the American Public
http://www.people-press.org/2014/06/12/political-polarization-in-the-american-public/

Thomas Sowell and a Conflict of Visions

Sowell describes the critical differences between interests and visions. Interests, he says, are articulated by people who know what their interests are and ...

Response by COL Ted Mc made May 28 at 2015 3:04 AM

COL Ted Mc — Thu, 28 May 2015 03:04:38 -0400

Personally I see the Democrats and Republicans as two wings of the same party.

The socio-economic background of the "movers and shakers" in each of them is remarkably similar and their sources of finances are equally similar. It's like trying to tell the difference between "The Party of Big Business" and "The Party of Big Money" - poor analogy, but (hopefully) you'll get my drift.