Are we weaker as a nation by having only two predominant political parties?

Question

Do people who call themselves Republicans agree with everything the party stands for and the same for Democrats? Wouldn't we be better off if candidates ran on what they truly stand for instead of making themselves "whores" to these two parties. I try to vote for the person that I feel would best represent my beliefs. It's hard not to feel at times that I have wasted a vote on a candidate that has no chance.

Answer 1

While I agree that the Democrats and the Republicans have too much power, I am not a fan of coalition governments where two or more parties have to join together to get elected.

I do think that the major media outlets (NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, LOS ANGELES TIMES, CHICAGO TRIBUNE....) have been grossly negligent to the American public by trying to limit those who can participate in presidential debates. They frequently limit the debates to the two main parties and, on rare occasion, will open the door to a third party with a strong representative. Since they are run by true Republicans or true Democrats, they do not want to see any other party gain political strength and change the Status Quo.

Imagine if we did have a president like Geena Davis plays in the TV series COMMANDER IN CHIEF? A president who actually cares about what is ethical and right for our country!

She would run away with a landslide victory over our current embarrassment of a president if she ran against him.

Answer 2

by making the statment you just made you are saying that you feel the system doesnt work but youre putting up with it anyway; I say the system DOES work, and we do better than any other system in the world. We vote outside our parties on an ongoing basis, both as indiviuals, and as members of congress, look at the last congressional vote about the flag burning issues- 6 rep voted no, not to make it illegal. now THAT is voting ones conscience since it was the rep party that sponsored the bill!

Answer 3

I think the fact that the two party system leaves a lot to be desired is pretty clear. Alternatively, having many parties (as in Israel) may not be so much better. Perhaps we could have a limit of maybe five parties - enough to provide some viable alternatives, not enough to lose everyone's attention.

Answer 4

Wanted: Third party candidate.

Qualifications:
Commited to keeping taxes low and budgets balanced

Willingness to demand accountability and unqualified audits from government offices and programs

Commited to appointing pro-life Supreme Court Justices who will nix all this stupid eminent domain land grabbing (isn't that communism?)

A concise and well defined foreign policy that fights against injustice and tyranny while promoting democracy, capitalism and free-trade. A pragmatism that accepts the sometimes cynical but neccessary cost-benefit analysis of military engagement in world hot spots with emphasis on preserving American lives, American liberty and American's pursuit of happiness (with that order of importance).

Answer 5

No...because when were challenged, we all rise to the occassion. Then after the crisis passes, we get back to the usual crap we call politics.
\
You mean "pornocrisy"? Government by whore, huh?...interesting concept.

Answer 6

DEMOCRATS don't follow,,, they think,,, they lead,,,,,,,,,,,
Republicans follow the GOP