Are enough people informed about other political parties besides Dems and GOP?

Question

There are so many political parties in the nation that exist. Why are american mostly driven to the GOP and Democratic parties? Most people have nothing but contempt for politics in general. Wouldn't it make sense to vote for real change instead of flip flopping between 2 parties?

Already I have some answers out of 5 only 1 1/2 answers the question, the rest are all about how the dems and GOP rule the world and it wouldn't be an election if they didn't win. Please answer the QUESTION.

Answer 1

It's the way the system is structured. In the United States elections are "winner take all," so even if a party such as the Libertarian Party or the Green Party were to get a decent chunk of the votes (and, typically, the Libertarian Party does take a decent chunk of the votes) they don't take the majority (or in this case the plurality) and thus they get nothing.

Also, the media has a big part to play. As the media tends to favor incumbents and front-runners (even if it is critical favoritism) they tend to get more screen time. Who the are the incumbents and front-runners? Why, Democrats and Republicans. The media focuses more on names that are already known, thus making it difficult for any kind of third party to emerge.

Another issue is "party" in general. Statistically, independents have made a better showing than any third party. Americans tend to distrust the party system in general.

There's also that stigma of voting for a third party being equated to tossing a vote in the trash can.

Also, it comes down to the fact that most issues are simplified to "yes" and "no." The average person likes things easy. You agree with this? Vote Democrat. You disagree? Vote Republican. There's little to no research done, and little to no knowledge required. As unpleasant as it is to admit this, many people are lazy and don't bother to learn about other possibly candidates because that makes the election process complicated. Thus, two political parties make sense. It's all about simplicity.

And, historically, at the time the Constitution was being written two sides automatically polarized. Since then it's simply been different names for the same two opposing (moderate) ideas.

Because if you really look at the two major parties, they really aren't that ideologically different. Nor do most members hold very extreme beliefs.

Though, if it makes you feel better, although the Libertarian Party isn't even close to as influential as the Democrats or the GOP, there have been a decent amount of Libertarian senators.

Answer 2

True, there are other political parties in the U.S. and people can even run for president as an independent if they don't want to affiliate themselves with any one party in particular. Traditionally, the main party in America is the Republicans, America was founded a republic and oddly George Washington was offered the "kingship" but being the man he was he denied it and insisted on a vote and stepped down on his own after 2, 4 year terms. There have always been Liberals like John Locke (who actually lived before America was founded) but they weren't officially a party till the 1800 or early 1900's. But to make an already long story short, the Democrats and Republicans have ALLOT more popularity (and money for campaigning) than any of the other parties do so they always win.

Answer 3

In effect, we need to do what they do in Israel, and have a coalition government. If my smaller political group aligns with a majority block, we have power. This would allow for parties to run with partial platforms, and not really have a fixed answer for every single issue. I am a moderate Republican, I would love to see my like-minded friends & Citizens join me in a seperate party. We would have the ability support restrictions on abortion yet break a Republican majority if they tried to do something excessive like over turn the settled law of Row -v- Wade, or join with Greens on an Environmental Bill, establishing Marine Protected Areas but break a Democrat attempt to levy winfall taxes.
For the most part I am an Conservationist/ Moderate Libertarian, which in a 2 party system makes me a Republican. I have friends who are registered Socialist, Greens, one Communist, and I even kind of associate with a few Democrats!
To your point, Most people don't get it and prefer the clean and clear lines they think they know. I lost a vital endorsement from an outgoing Councilman because he couldn't understand how I was an Environmentalist and a Republican. It actually confused him a bit!
The days of sitting in the Tea shop and discussing Political Philosophy have wained, The Sons of Liberty would be saddened.

Answer 4

In almost every case, the two big parties, Democrat and Republican, comprice well over 80% of the voters. So the winner will be one of those two. People want their vote to have an influence over the outcome of the election, so they vote for who they hope will win. Voting for a 3rd party candidate is like a protest vote. It won't change the outcome, only express dissatisfaction with the two major candidates. Voters want more power than that.

Answer 5

Because the reality is that the other parties don't have enough of a following to make a major difference in the outcome of elections... at best, they steal votes from the major candidates. Yes, I am informed about at least 2 of the other parties (Green and Libertarian).. I vote on an issue by issue basis. I have occasionally voted for one of these other parties, but that was more because I didn't like the other candidates... Generally speaking, I don't feel their platforms are strong enough to encourage a major following.

**EDIT** Your question, as worded, is somewhat impossible to answer. You are asking us if we know if "enough" people are informed about other pol. parties... "Enough" is a vague word, for one thing, and for another, no one could possibly know that unless we could read other people's minds. We can only answer for ourselves here.

Answer 6

There is a new group starting a website to help a third party find a new way for the American people to be more involved . It's called " Unity 08 " .http://unity08.com
Yes , you would think that if people want a real change they could find a way to do it . It seems that it's all talk and no action . Nobody seems to want to do the work .
"Let Mikey do it "!!!!

Answer 7

i think political parties are dumb anyway... the founding fathers never intended for them to exist. especially a two party system. it's hard for me to believe that anyone can really classify themselves with a party. there's so many grey areas. i just can't believe that millions of people on each side of the aisle can agree with every issue their party supposedly stands for. and if you can't, which happens, then why would you say that you're a DEM or REP?? wouldn't you just be an individual with individual ideas and views?? the two party system inhibits things to get done quicker or done at all even.

Answer 8

The other parties nominate losers.

Lindon Laruche?
Ralph Nader?
Ross Perot?

Come on, give me a break.

Answer 9

yes, vote green

Answer 10

no,