Why is party discipline so low in the US Congress?

Answer 1

1)Party discipline is always weak in Congress compared to, for example, the British Parliament. It's the nature of the beast. There are only two viable parties in the US, so they both have very big tents and allow a lot of freedom of political movement for members.

2)Democrats, in particular, always have poor discipline because they haven't really advocated a major policy shift since Clinton's health plan in like 1994. They don't have anything unifying them except their hatred of Republicans.

3)Republicans have poor discipline because they are running away from the President like he's a time bomb. With his approval ratings in the 20's, any political figure seen as close to the President has a good chance at losing reelection.

Answer 2

It's mostly the way the political system is set up -in America, we vote for candidates, not parties. Many European systems have a system in place where parties generlaly provide a list of their candidate,s and then fill how many ever spots are won by the party into those seats. Basically, party loyalty grants you a better rank on that list, while disloyalty could mean even a successful election would not result in your gaining a seat.

In America, we have the electoral college for President, but all of Congress are elected by district, so even a candidate disloyal to his party but still favored by the constituents will gain/remain in office. The recently retired Zell Miller was a prime example of this - the last REAL conservative Democrat.

America also places a higher emphasis on individuality rather than unity, so character traits gain a bit more attention. Oh, and there are also primaries, in which multiple candidates from the same party battle for the single nomination from that party, leading to a bit of competition just to be nominated for office.

Answer 3

We are all going to the dogs world wide. Not just your Congress. Money is the King of the world. Sad but true, Give it time everything will become equal. This time without war i hope. Or Innocent people being killed

Answer 4

You say that like it's a bad thing.
Congressmen are realizing that they are not seated to fulfill the wants of the party, they are there to serve the needs of their electorate.

Answer 5

Too much personal agendas and corruption.

Answer 6

their all the same breed........corrupt


VOTE THEM ALL OUT NEXT TIME!!!