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Question: Why do you think Americans are (generally) willing to accept a two-party system?

Posted: Jul 29, 2013

Here's the reason for my question: The two-party system is, and has been corrupt for a long time. In a country where you can have a choice of about 35 different types of salad dressing but only two viable choices for the highest office in the land, I just find it is stunning that Americans are willing to stand for this.

Answer how you will, but I am hoping the discussion goes past slamming any one president or party and more towards how we as a nation have largely been manipulated into choosing one of two parties in every voting cycle, ESPECIALLY when you can follow the money and the voting records of either party and easily see that most representatives in Congress stand for corporations over people.

;

In my humble opinion - we as Americans

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have come to accept the two party system because that is what we have been "programmed" to accept... or "brainwashed" for lack of a better word. This is "the way it has always been," and you know that most people are totally resistant to change, even if the present circumstances are not working. I believe we as a country would be better off with NO party system, just one government working for the good of all, not just corporations, not just the wealthy, but for everybody...with everybody having a voice and a say in how the tax monies are spent, even per chance each tax payer allocating where he/she wants her tax money put. These are just my opinions and not stated to start any hate mongering argument. Be nice everybody. Thank you.

Partially agree - just saying

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We have totally been played with regard to not fighting the well-orchestrated system of two parties - which is really just one party who takes turns being in power in order to keep down revolt. As to "one government working for all" - I don't see how that would work, maybe instead you meant a true democracy? Meaning that instead of having representatives to speak and vote "for" their constituents, the people themselves vote for laws, etc.

What makes the most upset is for people to dig into their respective corners with blinders on, not realizing (?) how they are being played by the politicians and corporations.

The use WEDGE issues to divide and distract the people, who amazingly fall for it every time. There is virtually NO EFFORT to even recognize the third parties out there by the corporate media. WhY do Americans tolerate this game?

We've been told time and time again... - ZvilleMT

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that a vote for a third party doesn't count. We have been played, but will enough people realize it and work together to change it? I mean, you're totally right - every time there's a wedge issue, we all bite and the division just grows stronger!

I agree with this. It's time for a change. - nm

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nm

There are more than 2 parties that vie for votes - Truthhurts

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but they never get far because they don't have the money to publicize their views.

Even those that sometimes do garner attention for their party, they are drowned out by the media who, as we all know, favor one party over the other.

The major ones have always been the GOP and the Democratic Party, followed closely by the Libertarian Party, the Green Party, the Socialist Workers Party, and the Communist Party. These are the ones I have heard of and have been on ballots over the years.

if you Google "List of political parties," you can find quite a few listings. The link I'm providing gives a short(?) description of other third parties.

http://www.politics1.com/parties.htm

OK but that wasn't my point - just saying

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I did not intimate there were only two parties to choose from, I was referring to VIABLE parties, and in that case there are only two.

You are right about the media, but that doesn't explain WHY Americans fall for the game year after year after year. Have they forgotten how to think for themselves? Have they forgotten how to UNITE BASED ON WHAT THEY HAVE IN COMMON?

i think it's called "utopia?" Voters want to hear only good things - Truthhurts

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They will vote for the politician and party who tells them whatever they want to hear just to get the vote. Doesn't matter that some voters don't realize that they can't "have it all." Voters don't want to hear anything bad or negative from the candidates (although that's exactly what the parties have evolved into doing).

Voters want that special world where there is no hardship, no trouble...everyone is at peace. The country is working like a watch, keeping perfect time without a glitch and the rest of the world loves us without question.

It's impossible in today's world but that doesn't stop them from hoping 'this' candidate will finally give them what they want.

Is this more on the lines of what you were asking? If not, I'll have to try to explain myself a little better. ;-)

Will check back later.

Yes, but what I can't help but wonder is... - just saying

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Are we willing to continue to allow this abuse of power, or is it too late for citizens to unite based on what they have in common?

This is all about opinion and no one is right or wrong :) trying to plant some seeds and start a true discussion.

Maybe if campaign finance laws were revamped... - ZvilleMT

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we wouldn't have to keep recycling the same old rich people to run for office every time. Some new people with new ideas and maybe even a new party would have a better chance.

One way could be in advertising. Commercials could be limited to a certain amount of time (say, a half an hour of spots at 1 minute a piece) for the entire campaign, but these would be free, sort of like a public service announcement. This might also encourage the candidate to say what they want to say about themselves and what they would do if elected instead of what's bad about the other guy. No other spots would be allowed - so nothing paid for by PACs (which should be outlawed, IMO).

Oh we could do some of your ideas and MORE - just saying

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IF WE evolve to the point where we REALIZE that there are more of US than there are politicians (the elite). They pay attention when we organize based on what we have in common.

For starters what people can do is PUT DOWN their fists and that means the verbal equivalent - and figure out how to come together for a common cause. Do people not realize the amount of $$$$ they spend on THINK TANKS just to figure out how to manipulate us?

THINK about it :) sad but true. Also true: People don't really have a good education about HOW things work in Washington or they would understand that as long as the 'two'party status quo REMAINS, not much is going to change.

and I am referring to how laws are made and executed when I speak of Washington.

Sadly, that is true. - ZvilleMT

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Okay, let's start small. Let's start a thread on here about how exactly things work in Washington - how laws are made and voted for, as well as how things shouldn't be done (closed doors, backroom deals, etc.) Everybody can chime in with different information they get from research. We can help educate ourselves - I know I don't know everything about how laws are made, despite Schoolhouse Rock :) I know as MTs we don't all have a lot of time, but it could be a thread we work on for a while - like you said, put down the verbal fists and all work together, one thing at a time.

What do you all think?

I love that the OP posted this question - really got me thinking :)

Thanks! Yes I'm game - just saying

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I am no expert but I got an eyeful when I started researching politics, etc., after Bush was installed as resident, er I mean president.

If this is to be successful we have to keep the partisanship to a minimum. its too easy to devolve into keeping score about which party is the worst. Hopefully there can be a consensus that neither party is doing the job of representing U.S.

Well, it could really mostly about how things are done... - ZvilleMT

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or I guess how things are supposed to be done, rather than which party is doing what. You know, rules and regulations, etc. I'll get started with some research and start a thread, but if you get to it first, great!

Didn't realize you were the OP, but great conversation starter!!

How laws are made..they should bring back the - Truthhurts

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little ads from the 70s or 80s made for kids. Remember those? The little bill went to Washington and the song that went with it? LOL

Otherwise, it's too complicated for most people to understand, if they really want to understand it at all.

I get your point but... - just saying

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what I am saying is that we have to take control of things at the individual level - educate ourselves about the process and then let them know we are watching. It's not to late to make a difference.

Education is key, and it, too, is controlled by the politicians. Think about what they are teaching young students. Just enough so that they can qualify for a minimum wage job the rest of their lives. If we don't correct this deficit, WE WILL BE unable to compete in the future with nations who made education a top concern and top notch.

I like this idea. In England, there are - limits to commercials

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Each candidate can only release x number of commercials and there are strict guidelines. I was there last year and struck up a few conversations--one of them was with a couple who had vacationed in San Francisco for a couple of weeks. Their only complaints were about the ridiculous political ads and the "waxy" chocolate. :) (I brought a bag of English chocolate home to sustain me--it really is much better).

It really comes down to what WE tolerate - just saying

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and as long as THEY can divide us with wedge issues and NONissues then the stronger their power is. Divide and conquer is not just an old saying, it is modus operandi in the political world.

Did you know, for example, that when the early colonists tried to band together for better representation, laws, etc., that they passed LAWS making it illegal for races to intermarry? I have to look up the exact facts about this but they have been successful at dividing us 'however' because they can do the math - they may be richer and thus more powerful, but there are far more of us... :) think about this in modern life - how are they dividing us now?

Yeah...I agree...whatever happened to the candidate speaking up for himself? - Truthhurts

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That's how it used to be. Some local election candidates still do, but on a national level, it's mostly the campaign PACs do the "talking" and it's either left or right...negative all the way at the other side. It has to stop. It gets nastier every year.

There should be a limit on the dollar amount (donations) allowed to the PACs and from the PACs to the candidates.

Corporations or unions should NOT be allowed to donate to the candidates. In my opinion, it's just another way to get around lobbying rules. This way the candidates would be neutral and not under the threat of the donations going away if they don't bend over backwards for those unions and corporations.

Yes and think about this critical point... - just saying

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Who do you think the politicians' loyalty lies with after they raise hundreds of millions through pacs and corporations and even unions?

Why do you think its nearly impossible for YOU to meet with a Senator or Governor, etc., but the donors who pay enough can?

The system in a nutshell is corrupt. My goal is to try to remind people: IT MAY BE CORRUPT but it wont change if you just throw up your hands. IN FACT the powers that be would like you to do just that. It doesn't matter to them if 10 people vote or 10-million... because there will be a winner in either race.

Your post is great! Thank you. I especially like your last - paragraph. Libby

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No more two parties - anon

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Sadly, there is no more two-party system. The lines between the GOP and democrat party are so blurred you can no longer tell the difference.

That's so true. - ZvilleMT

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It used to be that you knew what you were getting by voting either dem or pub because both sides stood for different things. Anymore (and this has been true for a while now) you really can't tell the difference - what each party believes in changes with whomever is in power. Take for example the debt ceiling: When Bush raised it, the dems were against it, calling it un-American, while the pubs were for it, stating we had to pay our bills. Now that Obama wants to do raise it, the dems are all for it and the pubs are against it. That was just one example - it seems it's that way with it everything these days.

I don't know anyone that is 100% behind their party of choice, but unfortunately, I don't think anyone could agree enough on what's not right in order to form a third party that would garner enough support to actually make a difference, at least not in our lifetime. Who knows - maybe that's just what we've been brainwashed to believe.

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