Does the USA need more than two major parties in control? How can put more legitimate parties on the ballot?

Question

By having only two political parties in control, doesn't that take the democracy out of America? I think we should have people voted in that represent smaller niches in society so they can more effeciently represent issues that people are concerned about. I think, also, that it would be in accord with our postmodern situation where small, targeted groups can cause big, important changes.

Most importantly, how can we steer America, the supposed land of democracy, to having such a system with true representation? They even have this in the UK... and all the way down to Mexico - with PRI, Partido Verde, etc.

Answer 1

The solutions are familiar to the 3rd parties, but the public is kept ignorant of these solutions so they don't make changes.
Instant Runoff Voting eliminates the spoiler effect and allows the candidate most voters want to win. Try it out at
http://www.demochoice.org/
We need to change ballot access laws to give you a better choice on the ballot. Check out
http://www.ballot-access.org/
Complain long and loud to your news media about their lazy, lazy covereage of the elections. They never mention 3rd party candidates, ignore Independents and allow 3rd party candidates to be excluded from debates..
If you want a choice, you have to push for it.

Answer 2

The minor parties need MONEY to get in the race and get their message heard in the corporate echo chamber known as the media.

Everybody who is fed up with the 2-party system needs to put their money where their mouths are. Try setting aside a dollar or two a day and donate it to the party of your choice. It will make a difference.

Contact your party and ask them what you can do to help you raise money for them. The 2008 elections are still 19 months away. There's still time to make a difference.

Answer 3

Yes we need more parties...especially a Moderate party.

What needs to happen is Americans need to wake up and stop this "a vote for anyone but republican is a vote for democrat" BS. If I vote for 3rd party it is because I don't like either of the other 2.

People are supposed to vote for the canditiate they WANT in office...not vote AGAINST a candidate.

Answer 4

a multi-party system could put power in the hands of a man who got a minority of the vote, ala Bill Clinton in '92, when Ross Perot siphoned votes away from Bush 41 and making Clinton President with 43% of the vote

Answer 5

i'm and autonomous and that i firmly have self assurance that maximum folk of the themes in this u . s . are being brought about by our so called leaders and their being beholding to particular pastimes, I honestly have self assurance that the only thank you to alter it rather is with a powerful 0.33 party, regrettably they have been minimized and crushed down for see you later that we will not have adequate time to start up grooming human beings and getting the gadget in action to make a difference, and purchase no longer having adequate time i do no longer recommend previously the subsequent election I recommend altogether, we are on the factor and it won't take lots to deliver us over.

Answer 6

In Canada we have about 5 different parties but it is always the same thing every year when it comes down to the Cons and the Libs

Answer 7

In Washington's farewell adress he warned that strong loyalties to political parties would pull the Nation apart. I like your idea of having smaller representation levels.

Answer 8

How would representing small niches be Democracy, which is a government by the majority?

Answer 9

Term Limits, and work to get different parties on the ballot from within your own state.

Answer 10

It starts at the local level.

I'm currently working to strengthen the Green Party.