Do you think there should a legitimate third party in US politics?

Question

Could you explain the negatives and positives. I certainly would like to see more choices than the current field of potential Presidents and more of a centrists moderates point invoked.

Answer 1

Yes, I certainly believe that we need a new party that will protect our middle class Americans from big business, taking jobs from Americans... operating in other country's so that they can save millions for corporate incentives and bonuses! Leaving nothing behind no manufactures, no jobs, and nothing made in the good old USA.
We need to change some of the old practices...like lobbiest controlling parties. Maybe it's time to go back to regulations on the oil and gas companies, its ridiculous to pay 3.30 a gallon when obviously profits are up higher than ever and CEO's are making record profits off of all of us!
Pharmacy and Drug cost are so out of line if I didn't have insurance I would be paying over 1400.00 per month instead of 300.00. And yet big buisness profits wildly.
We had the worst catastropie our country has ever seen and still no true aid to help the residents. Nor will the levi's be built for a category 5 hurricane that would protect our coast and people. Not only has the hurricane devestated much, residents that have fixed their homes and have tried to get insurance find their insurance rate is almost is as much as their mortgage.
Cost of living what a joke! A single mom making 10.00 per hour cannot pay 150.00 a week for daycare and still be able to rent or own a home much less have transportation and eat!
I could go on and on...........
But could a third party really help?
I don't know.;

Answer 2

I certainly have thought that there ought to be at least one more party for a long time, but I had had the opportunity to live abroad in a country run on a parliamentary system, and minority parties have much more clout under that system. Why? Let us take Tony Blair for example. Prime Ministers do not have a set four-year term. When they and their parties lose the mandate of the people, it is back to the polls, regardless of the year and the month. This is when minority parties can become powerful because the major parties may attempt to form a coalitiion with them by including their agenda items along with their own. Of course, their motivation is not pure; they hope that by forming the coalition, they will increase their votes, thus outnumbering the other major party. But the bottom line is that rather than always being outvoted or ignored, this time the voice of a minority party is heard.
I know I have oversimplified this process for the purpose of illustration, but our two-party system has needed an overhaul for a long time. I believe that Jesse Jackson and others knew exactly that when they formed the Rainbow Coalition in an attempt to get various minority groups to unite on some major issues so that their voices would count rather than be lost.
The only negative I can think of with additional parties is that until they gain enough following, those who cast their votes for their candidates are making a statement but not truly participating in the electoral process in that, in the end, their votes did not count.

Answer 3

Absolutely. Social moderates shouldn't be forced to choose between the Old Testament and abortions on demand with a euthanasia chaser. We don't live in a black and white world.

Under the two-party system, one party can wield a lot of control by having just one more vote than the other party. If a significant, legitimate third party were part of the mix, we'd see a lot less partisanship because every party would depend on each other in order to get things done.

Answer 4

There are several 'legitimate' third parties. They just don't have enough support to win anything. The to major parties have less claim to the title 'legitimate' than many 'third parties'. As for you comment about 'centrists' and 'moderates', I have talked to people from all over the map on many issues. I have yet to meet one that is 'in the center' on ANY single issue. Moderates DO NOT exist.

Answer 5

Jesse Ventura of The Reform Party of Minnesota won the governorship in 1998.

Answer 6

In the US political system, races tend to be very close...say 52-48%. Because of this parties tend to be very competitive.

If a 3rd part is successful, they will get 5% of the vote usually by backing a very popular issue. Then one or both of the major parties ADOPTS the 3rd party's issue and the 3rd party gets cannibalized. So the 3rd party disappears ....BUT.... their idea gets implemented. And getting your ideas implemented is the end goal...yes? Be happy we don't have the crappy parliment systems that other countries have and the 50 different parties. The American system is better... The grass may look greener on the other side but it is not...

Answer 7

its time to clear the fields and start over. all parties are so corrupt and out of control its frightening.
Special interest money shoujld be a felony to give or recieve. favors and gifting.. feloney and none of this "I'm rich and delicate" for prison crrappola. line'em up noxious weeds and MOW them down!

Answer 8

What? There are other parties that are recognized, other than the Republican or Democratic parties. The one that is recognized the most is the Independent party. There is a Congressman (1) who is of the Independent party. Recognition and people backing the party is the issue.

Answer 9

yes. Third, fourth and fifth parties as well

Answer 10

No. no third party. It would just split the vote 3 ways.
So, what have you gained?