What would happen if we stopped thinking in terms of political parties and looked at the candidates?

Question

I believe the Founding Fathers warned us of the danger of political parties in the Declaration of Independence or Federalist Papers.

Answer 1

Yes they indeed did. That's why they set aside the militia groups (minutemen of today) to keep our government in line should they turn on the American people. Political parties have too many self serving agendas for themselves now and their buddies. A good candidate that still believes as our Founding Fathers did is the one I want leading this country.

Answer 2

It's off the subject, Nicole, but that's a very nice picture there ;)

I like the idea of looking at the candidate and what they say they intend to do. I had been voting republican up until the last election, but they continued to spend like democrats, so I went with the Libertarians in most cases. In the presidential election, I would love to have a Libertarian show some promise of winning, but if they are at 3%...it feels like I'm throwing away my vote...and I know that the dems will load the court with left-wing nutjobs that will circumvent the constitution and the will of the people. So....I will probably vote republican again.

Answer 3

I do only look at the candidates and not their parties. I don't think any of the Dems could run this country right now and I truly feel that McCain should drop out of this race. I don't know much on the Republicans running yet but I have made up my mind on the Dems right now.

Answer 4

We'd see a lot of independent or alternative candidates being taken more seriously.

As the above poster said, libertarian candidates, populist candidates, and many single-issue candidates would all be much more viable, without the influence of the parties.

Answer 5

We would all be running for the hills. It is too easy for some people to just vote party wise, instead of looking at each one. No candidate out there so far has me happy or looking forward to the next election. Quite a few of them scare me!

Answer 6

It would be a good thing to get away from political parties. I would finally feel like I belong politically, favoring small government but wanting to keep Christian morality out of everyday issues. I wouldn't have to choose the lesser evil.

Answer 7

The way the electoral system is constituted still favors a two-party system. Many voters /do/ vote the candidate, not the party, and it makes little difference: they're still chosing between the candidates of the two dominant parties.

Answer 8

The we's would start thinking like the 38% of registered voters that are independents. Or at a the very least we could hope that they would.

Answer 9

I'd love to see that happen. That's the way it should be candidate's ideas against candidates ideas. Best person for the job wins.

Answer 10

So true
Thank you but you most look at each party as a whole to see if the soil is fertile what what you wish to find or grow.