Is having only two major political parties hurting the United States?

Question

Would a third party candidate who could contend with democrats and republicans help or hurt the U.S.?

Answer 1

The two-party system is bad for the country because it turns politics into a sporting event in which the only real alternative to one party is the other party. So the parties act to preserve their own power just as much as they act on any ideas or ideals that they have.

It would be possible for a third party (or a strong, cohesive independent movement) to succeed in the U.S., although the nature of our political structures suggests that a successful third party would probably end up replacing one of the two major parties rather than standing alongside them permanently. A single third-party candidate, even in the Presidency, would not create much lasting change unless he/she could use the office to generate support for the new party.

Answer 2

It depends on many things. If the Republican candidate is better than the Democrat, and a person who normally would vote for the Republican in the absense of the third party candidate votes for the third party candidate, then the Democrat would win. But that doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad thing, because the Republicans will keep losing elections and start listening to the voters that voted for the third party candidate. Sound familiar? Ross Perot. But look what happened after Bush sr. lost to Clinton.
The Democratic controlled Congress and Senate were taken over by Republicans in the next election. This may be in part because the Republicans realised that they needed to change, or clarify thier position. One of Perot's main points was the defecit. The Republicans were elected promising to take care of the problem Ross Perot addressed. Clinton took credit for the change (he signed the bills). Now we are seeing a weak Republican and Democrat party again, and maybe third party candidates will pop up, then 2 years later, the same thing will happen, one of the parties will listen to what the third party had to say. So in the long run, maybe what we have is better than we realise. So vote for whoever you think speaks for what you have to say, and dont' worry about if they don't get elected, because if they lose, because of a third party, they will listen.

Answer 3

3rd major party would hurt the U.S.

By having another major party, the less popular candidate can get elected. The two popular ones can split the majority vote.

That is how Bill Clinton got elected. There was an independant candidate who pulled a large chunk of the voters away.

Answer 4

It can do both help and hurt. Like the democrat party takes into consideration the poor and it seems more like the republicans helps the more wealthy so depending on the category a person fall in it can help. Bush hurts but not all republicans are that way

Answer 5

Has for yours. To vote on a party line basis is totally ignorant. Study each individual separately and vote on conscience of what they will do for the people and the country rather then their personal choice or buddy system to get bills past. I also feel that a bill should be passed into law that the people appropreately vote for any of their pay increases for them and also be able to decrease them if they are doing a lousy job that they were elected to do. Too many are self-serving professional politicians and don't give a damn what the public wants except at election time.

Answer 6

Yes.....But the powers that be don't want you to have any more choices! Ever wonder why we don't have a third party? Because it would lessen their chances of winning. WE NEED MORE CHOICES....To me that is a healthy democracy...

Sometimes I think that both parties are really one party, showing variations just to make us believe there are two, all the while just holding the power. We are just being sold a bill of goods. I know that is a very cynical view, but I am tired of all the mismanagement of our country and all the excuses they use for that abuse of power.

Another reason I feel the 'one party' theory exists is all the fear mongering they feed us. Terrorism, bird flu virus, killer bees, mad cow disease, I mean the list goes on and on. They want us to live in fear, to render us helpless and dependent on them.

Next time you wonder why we only have two parties in this country, think again. I will get off my soapbox, thanks for indulging me!

Answer 7

I hate to say either man is Evil, I'm a Democrat voter. Obama failed on Jobs, and didn't get health care cost down, or a single pay system. Should have left Afghans war , not ramp it up. its a tax drain and we really got our Army in a place we cant support right, got to bribe nations just to get in supplies, that sucks, and Generals who supports that is kind of dim, in my book. Romney He just out to help the wealthy pay less taxes, when were already in Debts up to are ***. And his views on foreigner will get us into more wars real Quick, That B another tax drain and more Debts. I think to get USA back on track , We got to get health care one system , one payer. And Build and buy American , only import what we cant build or don't have in raw material. But our leaders are all about the UN, not the US. So we linger on while Cons and lib's go after each other as Rome burns . We have plenty of Nero's.

Answer 8

It already HAS hurt the U.S., and yes, we desperately need a strong 3rd party candidate....one can only hope!
With the two party system, most people never really vote for a candidate as much as they vote AGAINST the other candidate.
I didn't vote for Kerry, I voted against bush!

Answer 9

Yes, the Democrats and GOP do everything possible to entrench the two-party and then people wonder why it ends up being us vs. them!?

Answer 10

How would there be a 3rd one? With two, one takes one side and the other takes the opposite of it, leaving the 3rd party with being neutral.