There are two major parties because you need a majority of the electoral college to win the Presidency. Both the Democrats and the Republicans are coalitions of groups that work together so they can get more than 50%. If you have three strong parties, the Congress picks the President.
I fully support reforms to replace the current de facto two-party system, but before a Green, Libertarian (or other 3rd party / independent) candidate can have any realistic viability, something else has to happen first…. First things first: Unless and until we have real electoral reform — instant runoff voting [aka ranked preferential voting], fully open primaries if funded by public money, an end to gerrymandering, getting money seriously out of politics, automatic registration, etc., all of which I support — the viable choices on election day will be between the Republican and Democratic nominees. We need to push for those reforms. In states that allow ballot propositions to originate from citizen initiatives, independent voters, along with third parties such as the Greens and Libertarians and other marginalized third parties, should start circulating petitions to enact these fundamental reforms. I would sign a petition for such a ballot initiative in a heartbeat! But sadly, the idealistic Greens just talk and talk and talk and NEVER ACTUALLY DO ANYTHING. I have never seen a Green or Libertarian walking around with a clipboard asking for signatures to get an Instant Runoff Voting proposition on the ballot, that I would sign in a heartbeat if available. The day I see a ballot with Instant Runoff Voting (ranked preferential voting) is the day I will happily and enthusiastically consider a third-party or independent alternative.
Petitions are worthless. Anyone who gets one undoubtedly dismisses the signers as fringe voters.
If the minor parties really want to get the presidency, they’ll need to start running for, and filling, lower positions. Alderman, state representative, Congressperson, Senator. You don’t just pop up every four years and run for one office and win. Or even get taken seriously. That’s why the republicans have seized power, by taking every small race more seriously than the Democrats.
bunwarpgazoo Premium Member almost 7 years ago
Run as an independent. We need more of those in congress.
Ignatz Premium Member almost 7 years ago
There are two major parties because you need a majority of the electoral college to win the Presidency. Both the Democrats and the Republicans are coalitions of groups that work together so they can get more than 50%. If you have three strong parties, the Congress picks the President.
danielmkimmel almost 7 years ago
So she ran as a Libertarian and was never heard from again.
braindead Premium Member almost 7 years ago
Hard on the Republicans?
Shirley! You jest!
SergeitheAntagonist almost 7 years ago
Vote Libertarian! You’ve done worse.
DD Wiz Premium Member almost 7 years ago
I fully support reforms to replace the current de facto two-party system, but before a Green, Libertarian (or other 3rd party / independent) candidate can have any realistic viability, something else has to happen first…. First things first: Unless and until we have real electoral reform — instant runoff voting [aka ranked preferential voting], fully open primaries if funded by public money, an end to gerrymandering, getting money seriously out of politics, automatic registration, etc., all of which I support — the viable choices on election day will be between the Republican and Democratic nominees. We need to push for those reforms. In states that allow ballot propositions to originate from citizen initiatives, independent voters, along with third parties such as the Greens and Libertarians and other marginalized third parties, should start circulating petitions to enact these fundamental reforms. I would sign a petition for such a ballot initiative in a heartbeat! But sadly, the idealistic Greens just talk and talk and talk and NEVER ACTUALLY DO ANYTHING. I have never seen a Green or Libertarian walking around with a clipboard asking for signatures to get an Instant Runoff Voting proposition on the ballot, that I would sign in a heartbeat if available. The day I see a ballot with Instant Runoff Voting (ranked preferential voting) is the day I will happily and enthusiastically consider a third-party or independent alternative.
kaffekup almost 7 years ago
Petitions are worthless. Anyone who gets one undoubtedly dismisses the signers as fringe voters.
If the minor parties really want to get the presidency, they’ll need to start running for, and filling, lower positions. Alderman, state representative, Congressperson, Senator. You don’t just pop up every four years and run for one office and win. Or even get taken seriously. That’s why the republicans have seized power, by taking every small race more seriously than the Democrats.