The Next President

[Shakkara]

You people only have two Parties???

Yep, and there isn't much difference between the two from a foreigner's point of view. Yet they love to call it democracy :lol:

 

There are smaller parties but they don't have enough money to have an efficient campaign.

[The_Reaper]

Damn, thats...................stupid?? :huh:

[Shakkara]

Damn, thats...................stupid?? :huh:

I think that pretty much summs up my opinion about the US :D

 

No offense...

[The_Reaper]

Damn, thats...................stupid?? :huh:

I think that pretty much summs up my opinion about the US :D

 

No offense...

I´m not saying your opinion is stupid ;)

I´m saying that only having two parties is kinda stupid!

And amazingly, very america like! :blink: :wacko:

what to you mean "no offense"?

[SothThe69th]

While there is room for third parties (and sometimes they can make a point even if they don't win, by taking votes from another candidate.), for the most part, it is a two party system, this isn't a bad thing, as, looking back, you can plainly see that it works.

[Mojlnir]

The two party system in the United States is not stupid. It may be a little outdated, but it's longevity proves it is a workable, stable and effective system. It dates to the Founding Fathers, many of whom (led by James Madison) were radically anti-faction. They felt that factions could gain control of government and enact laws and policies that tyrannized the minority, which would be unable to protect itself. This entire concept stemmed from the treatment of colonial citizens on the part of the British government. Originally the two parties were broken down into those who supported the formantion of a union of states and those who did not. Madison, going back on his previous opinions, formed the Republican party (pro-union) which later became the Democratic Republican Party and would eventually morph into the current Democratic Party. Today's Republican Party followed much the same path, though more convoluted, and stems from those originally opposed to the new union.

Today, there is little real difference between the parties because they have come to encompass such a broad range of issues and individual preferrences. A body of law exists in the US that stipulates the requirements a potential party must meet in order to participate in an election. I am not completely familiar with them and so will not discuss them for fear of providing incorrect information, but suffice to say that they are sufficiently complex as to prevent the majority of small parties from participating. There are several third parties that do pull votes from the main parties including the Independents (a catch-all label) and the liberal and green parties, among whom Ralph Nader is a well known leader.

The upcoming election (presidential) will see the fielding of a Green Party candidate, who stands absolutely zero chance of winning. Cucinich(sp?) tried to get the Naderites and Greens to join the Democrats, but they are too disenfranchised to sign on. The Republican party has done a much better job of holding a tight ship, keeping the diverse factions within the party on the same track. The common person within the Republican party is not yet disenfranchised with the neo-con movement enough to shift loyalties. I suspect that eventually the ultra-conservative right wing will be cut loose from the Republican party because they will begin to cost the party in elections.

So, the two party system is not stupid, it just works for us. Sure, a little more accurate representation would be appreciated, but the Congress really hasn't evolved to handle a more parlimentary system. Our system is not any more corrupt or ineffective than the next, they all work pretty much the same. And we don't have to worry about the government falling apart when the ruling coalition decides it can't get alone anymore.

[Feanor11]

former NATO Commander Wesley Clark just entered the race for democratic nomination today! Good Luck!

 

http://www.americansforclark.com

 

BTW, George Washington (hope you know him http://mwsource.com/forum/html//emoticons/smile.gif ) warned against the formation of political parties in his farewell speech, but no one payed attention. It might seem limited and dysfunctional to some, but it's created the world's only superpower in less than 250 years. Quite a track record.

 

This question is OT, but for all those Brits out there, how is the American Revolution taught in school?

[Kethruch]

Cthulu would be better starting off with something simple and straight forward - I actually think his/hers/its campaign manager has started by having Cthulu influence the California recall. If the anarchy that is the recall works, maybe Shub-Niggurath will go for governor of Minnesota to start - after all, what could be more strange than a former pro wrestler....

 

One thing we could kind of count on, though, money might not be a prerequisite for the showdown. I mean, how much spin can you put on saving yourself if the threat comes to vote for me or spend the next millenia in the bowels of a demon.

 

Kethruch

[Mojlnir]

Okay, here it is! My picks for the 2004 presidential election. Now that Clark is running I can finally bill the next "dream team." Clark and Dean will run a tight race with Dean getting the Democratic nomination for president. He will select Wesley Clark as his vice president and we'll have an administration that just might be able to accomplish something proactive.

I've heard some rumors that Cheney might be off the 2004 Bush ticket. Has anyone else heard anything?

[SothThe69th]

Can you remember seeing Cheney at ALL in the past 2 years? I know I can't. Limited visibility plus a bad ticker will probably make him unlikely to be around in the next election.