Why do people vote for Republicans and Democrats when there are so many other parties out there that would probably improve our society?
2007-01-27 05:31:27 · 16 answers · asked by Melissa A 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
You are SO right . . I am a libertarian and the main reason that so many people in America don't take the time or effort to explore other options is just good old-fashioned laziness. It's amazing what one could learn just by putting forth a little study and effort to really find a party that indentifies with one's values and ideals. Republicans and Democrats are just two heads on the same beast . . . both continue to act as "big brother" and have both completely disregarded the very ideals that made our country great. Our founding fathers would be disgusted by what has happened to this nation.
2007-01-27 05:47:51 · answer #1 · answered by Julia 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It has to deal with visibility and media coverage. The two parties has a lot of resources that buys media time and makes the news. Other parties like the Greens or Libertarians don't have nearly the coin - thus their candidates can't get their message out.
Over the last few elections, I have voted for other non main party candidates just so they may receive federal funding - since federal funds come from the amount of votes their party receives.
The system leaves a lot more to be desired as those who the money seem to be able to get the vote.
Back in the 70's George Wallace and in the 90's Ross Perot almost got the 3 party system going... but its going to take a very strong financial backing and a strong message to get another party in prominence.
2007-01-27 05:38:18 · answer #2 · answered by sagegranny 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Because the US electoral system is based on a two-party system - supported by the Electoral College.
A fine example is the presidential run of Ross Perot, who received nearly 19% of the popular vote in 1992, yet received ZERO Electoral College votes.
The Electoral College, in brief, consists of Electors who are members of either the Republican or Democrat parties, who "pledge allegiance" to a certain candidate in advance of the election. Electors have only changed their votes, ie. gone against their advance pledges, in a small handful of cases in the last 200-plus years. They serve their parties, and do not reflect the popular will when it comes to independents.
Amendments to the Constitution doing away with the Electoral College have been proposed about 70 times in our country's history, the latest in a measure proposed by (D-CA) Barbara Boxer and co-signed by Russ Feingold. However, these proposals have never really gotten anywhere, because both the Republicans and Democrats are afraid of ceding power.
2007-01-27 05:52:31 · answer #3 · answered by lesroys 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I assume you are talking about the Presidential Election.
Congress has a Democratic Majority and a Republican Minority. If your congressional representative was from a Third Party, he/she would never chair a committee or have the backing of other party members.
If the President was from a Third Party, his allies in congress would be so small in number and not in leadership positions so as to be totally ineffective.Third Party candidates are like bring a knife to a gun fight!
2007-01-27 05:44:45 · answer #4 · answered by Agent 00X 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your right there should be many groups to pick from . That said , both party's have made it imposable to do that and they have been in charge of this country for a long time .
There is no way that they will let that happen , It would change their whole system of doing business as usual .
Think about it they pay themselves , get the best ( free ) medical care , have the best retirement fund and can get a raise when they want . And we've been brainwashed into thinking that it won't work .
If you were elected would you want to let someone else take your free ride on America taxpayers ?
But if we could change it I think it would improve this country and keep them honest
2007-01-27 05:44:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The issues of the Green party or others are not the issues of the average American. When's the last time an independent did something good for the country? Or even got a single electoral vote? Independents steal votes from candidates who are actually qualified for the job.
2007-01-27 06:41:45 · answer #6 · answered by Nina Myers 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The main problem is a third party candidate takes votes away from the Dem/Rep. candidates.
If it were more like 6 or 8 party candidates it would be a more equal playing field.
But when you have only a third candidate that competes he is causing damage to one of the other two candidates.
Right or wrong the Dem/Rep parties are the strongest two financially and politically.
Let's use Oprah as an example.
If she chose to run on an Independant ticket she probably wouldn't have significant numbers against the Dem/Rep parties.
However if she chose to run in either Dem/Rep party she would be more successful because of the support from the system.
That's just an EXAMPLE ....I don't think she would run anyway!
But it would be interesting if she did!
You could use anyone in my scenario though!
Much like Ross Perot back in the 80's.
2007-01-27 05:51:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, for one, they assume (rightly so) that those third parties will never gain enough exposure for most people to even know who they are or let alone support them. Why vote for a party or candidate if you know that they most likely have no chance of winning?
Plus a lot of people probably figure it's bad enough getting anything done while having two political parties fighting over everything. I can't imagine a third party thrown into the mix. As it is barely any good legislation gets passed.
2007-01-27 05:34:29 · answer #8 · answered by timster1984 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
because those 2 cover more things that people want, so the majority of people fit into those 2 parties, but the last election a third party did run, he hardly got any votes though-one day when people get totally fed up with wat dems and repubs r doing and not doing a third party will step in and may actually be elected to something. that's is sorta wat happened back in november 06, many were tired of republicans, so they voted for the democrats and now they have the majority of the house and senate!! YAY!
2007-01-27 05:36:08 · answer #9 · answered by England France 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
because right now the other parties are so weak they have absolutely no influence. It is very undemorcratic it seems to me that the Democrates and Republicans have conspired to create a system that is very unfair to anyone other than themselves.
2007-01-27 05:41:20 · answer #10 · answered by crackleboy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋