Abolish the two party system?

Question

I think a two party system just creates division and limits people to certain points of views. If I said I am a democrat or I am a republican I'm limiting myself to the general consensus of that party, I mean no one will beat you if you don't follow the exact form but it gives that feeling. I think what we need is a stronger sense of unity and that having two distinct parties makes people feel like they're against each other when really we need to be one country even if we disagree on some issues, or a lot of issues. I'm surprised that anyone given the choice between two opposing groups and independent that anyone puts them on one side against their brothers. It's ignorant to assume that we'll be on top forever, Rome thought it was invincible too.

Well that's a good point. But I mean that you could still limit the nmber of parties and just not peg them into a name that will basically stereotype what people will think about them. I just don't like to see people voting for their party whether the guys a jackass or not, I mean, it might even be an alright system but the voters take it to the extreme. When you hear "republicans are ruining the country" that's bull. People are ruining the country. I think we need just a few less labels.

Answer 1

We are not really just a two party country.It just so happens that the majority of Americans agree with one of the two major parties. here is a list of parties or candidates you could have supported for president in 2004.
REPUBLICAN PARTY:

President George W. Bush (Texas)
Presidential Nominee

Vice President Dick Cheney (Wyoming)
Vice Presidential Nominee


FORMER REPUBLICAN PARTY CANDIDATES


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DEMOCRATIC PARTY:

US Senator John F. Kerry (Massachusetts)
Presidential Nominee

US Senator John Edwards (North Carolina)
Vice Presidential Nominee


FORMER DEMOCRATIC PARTY CANDIDATES


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THIRD PARTY CANDIDATES:

CONCERNS OF PEOPLE (PROHIBITION) PARTY:
Gene Amondson (Alaska)
Presidential Nominee

Leroy Pletten (Michigan)
Vice Presidential Nominee


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CONSTITUTION PARTY:
Michael Peroutka (Maryland)
Presidential Nominee

Chuck Baldwin (Florida)
Vice Presidential Nominee


FORMER CP CANDIDATES


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GREEN PARTY:
David Cobb (California)
Presidential Nominee

Pat LaMarche (Maine)
Vice Presidential Nominee


FORMER GREEN PARTY CANDIDATES


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LIBERTARIAN PARTY:
Michael Badnarik (Texas)
Presidential Nominee

Richard Campagna (Iowa)
Vice Presidential Nominee


FORMER LP CANDIDATES


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PEACE & FREEDOM PARTY OF CALIFORNIA:
Leonard Peltier (Kansas)
Presidential Nominee

Janice Jordan (California)
Vice Presidential Nominee


FORMER PFP CANDIDATES


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PERSONAL CHOICE PARTY:
Charles Jay (Indiana)
Presidential Nominee

Marilyn Chambers Taylor (California)
Vice Presidential Nominee


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PROHIBITION PARTY OF COLORADO:
Earl F. Dodge (Colorado)
Presidential Nominee

Howard Lydick (Texas)
Vice Presidential Nominee


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REFORM PARTY / INDEPENDENT:
Ralph Nader (I-Connecticut)
Presidential Nominee

Peter M. Camejo (Green-California)
Vice Presidential Nominee

FORMER REFORM PARTY CANDIDATES


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SOCIALIST PARTY USA:
Walt Brown (Oregon)
Presidential Nominee

Mary Alice Herbert (Vermont)
Vice Presidential Nominee

FORMER SP-USA CANDIDATES


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SOCIALIST EQUALITY PARTY:
Bill Van Auken (New York)
Presidential Nominee

Jim Lawrence (Ohio)
Vice Presidential Nominee

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SOCIALIST WORKERS PARTY:
Róger Calero (New York)
Presidential Nominee

Arrin Hawkins (New York)
Vice Presidential Nominee

ALTERNATE (SURROGATE) SOCIALIST WORKERS PARTY NOMINEES:
James Harris for President
Margaret Trowe for Vice President

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WORKERS WORLD PARTY:
John Parker (California)
Presidential Nominee

Teresa Gutierrez (New York)
Vice Presidential Nominee

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INDEPENDENTS & WRITE-INS:

Independent Candidates Appearing on Ballots:

Stanford E. "Andy" Andress (I-Colorado)
Presidential Candidate
and
Irene M. Deasy (I-Colorado)
Vice Presidential Candidate

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Thomas Harens (Christian Freedom-Minnesota)
Presidential Candidate

Jennifer Ryan (Christian Freedom-Minnesota)
Vice Presidential Candidate

Write-In Candidates:

A.J. Albritton (American Republican Party-Mississippi) *
Sterling Allan (Providential Party-Utah) *
Lawson M. Bone (I-Tennessee) *
Kenneth M. Bonnell (I-Mississippi) *
Robert A. Boyle II (I-Maryland) *
Harry Braun (I-Arizona) *
Theodis "Ted" Brown Sr. (I-Missouri) *
Fred Cook (I-Georgia) *
Eric J. Davis (Michigan) *
Robert DiGiulio (Children's Party-Vermont) *
Bob Dorn (Washington) *
Lonnie D. Frank (I-California) *
Ronald "John Galt Jr." Gascon (I-Pensylvania) *
Jack Grimes (United Fascist Union-Pennsylvania) *
Michael Halpin (I-New York) *
Larry D. Hines (I-Texas) *
Georgia Hough (I-Georgia) *
Keith Judd (I-Massachusetts) *
Darren E. Karr (Party X-Oregon) *
Samuel Keegan (I-Rhode Island) *
John Joseph Kennedy (I-Georgia) *
Joseph Martyniuk Jr. (I-Illinois) *
David Mevis (I-Mississippi) *
Muadin (E-Democratic Party-Massachusetts) *
Jeffrey Peters (We The People Party-New Hampshire)
Andrew M. Rotramel (I-Texas) *
Joseph "Average Joe" Schriner (I-Ohio) *
Dennis P. Slatton (United America Party-North Carolina) *
Dan Snow (I-Texas) *
Brian B. Springfield (I-Virginia) *
Diane Templin (American Party-California) *
Lawrence Rey Topham (I-Utah) *
Lemuel Tucker (I-Michigan) *
Da Vid (Light Party-California) *
Tom Wells (Family Values Party-Florida) *
A.J. Wildman (I-Virginia) *

Answer 2

Unfortunately the situation of political parties in general puts people "between a rock and a hard place," as the saying goes.

As you said, its either one or the other in a two party system and voting for one means acknowledging and supporting their entire platform even if you disagree with part. Statistically speaking, neither party satisfies everyones desires that it can cleanly split things up, but it tries to aim for the most appeal to the most people--and like everything else on this planet that tries to do multiple things at once, it ends up doing ALL of them terribly. Which, as we can clearly see, is the case.

However multiple parties doesn't change things for the better much. Most european countries have multiple party systems (i.e. the Greens) and what happens there is that each part becomes specialized: they focus on ONE issue, and drive at it with all their resources, and other important issues that don't relate to their platform tend to fall by the wayside.

So no, abolishing the two party system is not the answer. It may be a necessary evil. I would however support a third or fourth party to vary things up, but when there are half a dozen or more parties, bureaucracy becomes even more bureaucratic (i.e. more red tape) because nobody can come to a consensus, theres too many differing viewpoints, and ultimately, nothing would get done.

Answer 3

Though in theory you are correct, I am neither Republican or Democrat, but i tend to hang out on the more conservative side of things, but not always. Limiting myself to a generalized party like the Republicans is limiting my title, and everyone else who is a Republican. However that is not to say that I don't generally feel that the representatives in my party are the better choice over the opposition. If we were to change to a full on anyone can run, we only care what you believe not your party, no one would have enough backing to get anywhere, politically, and financially. Which would limit the competition to the wealthiest and most networked people in the US (which tends to happen anyway, but it is not always the case). We as Americans would also be bombarded by the number of people we need to focus on and vote for. 3 candidates is too many for some people (want proof, 2000 presidential election in Florida). Though your ideals are correct, it still would cause even more chaos.

Answer 4

I think the 2 party system would work better if the pres and vp were from different parties. I think that would make it less partisan and avoid extreme situations where a large percentage of the population feels un-represented in the government dominated by the opposing party.

Peace!

Answer 5

I've got an even better question for you:

HOW do you abolish the two party system? Never mind whether or not we should! Even if you wanted to do it, HOW would you do it?

And maybe you haven't heard, but both parties have several "moderates" in them who don't follow the party line.