Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Current Event #7: Could a 3rd Party Work?
The frustration with the Republicans and Democrats over the debt issue has left some pundits wondering if perhaps this is an opportunity for a 3rd party to make a difference. Read the New York Times editorial on the issue, and let me know what you think. Is there room for a 3rd party in American politics? If so, whose voice do you see it representing? Do you think this organization, Americans Elect, has a chance?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I think having a third party would be very beneficial to the American people. Both Democrats and Republicans are so occupied with who has the most power,they fail the realize and see what is most important...the well-being of the American people. Look at the Republicans for example,ever since President Barrack Obama got elected,they have done nothing but put the president and his policies down with all the power they possess even if they agree with some of them. Having a third party that actually caters to the needs of the American would help put this country to were it was a few years ago,sort of having a middle ground between the extremes. I very much believe American Elect could be that middle ground,but getting people to support them as much as people support the other parties would be there biggest obstacle.
ReplyDeleteI agree that having a third party could be a good change for the American people. The Democrat-Republican rivalry makes elections and campaigns seem more like superficial pissing matches rather than competition based of off political ideas. Many people seem to complain about this, but we still haven't seen a change. This could be because the general public is not comfortable enough to make a change in their voting habits. Nobody knows what could happen if a third party leader came into Presidential office, and that may deter people from voting for third party candidates. I believe that if we get enough support to elect a third party member, it could make the difference the people are looking for. What the American Elect is doing may make enough of a difference to make that possible, but based on voting patterns in the past, it will be no easy feat.
ReplyDeleteI think a 3rd party in politics is what America needs right now. The Democrats and Republicans are so caught up in blaming each other that they dont realize they they are both wrong and it is about time for them to step aside and let someone new and someone who isnt there to dissagree with the others take charge. However, i dont think the American people are willing to take this step. The American public can be just like their poiticians, blame the other side. The die-hard democrats will just pick another democrat and the die-hard republicans will just choose another republican. Those who are in the middle will vote for the party they didnt vote for last time. Also the Americans dont know how electing a 3rd party will turn out. This i think will make people hesitant to join Americans Elect. Although i am sure many americans will be willing to take the risk, unfortunatly i dont think it will be enough.
ReplyDeleteThe idealist in me says "Yes! Change! Stop the bickering and actually do something!" but I must admit, I have never been much of an idealist. Americans are lazy, in the last election 122,394,724 people voted. There were, at the time, about 225,746,457 people over 18 in America (http://edition.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/president/).
ReplyDeleteThat is 54% or about one in two people. People want to make a difference? Stop trying to make a third party, and get America's youth to vote. If a third party did pick up speed and people did vote for a third party president, it would just end up splitting one party or the other's voting base, as in the Bush and Gore election where Ralph Nader split the democratic vote which eventually (supposedly) cost Gore the election by denying him the votes he needed to win in the electoral college giving Bush the election even though Gore had more popular votes.
I also agree that a third party in American politics would likely do us all a bit of good. The current group of politicians is far too narrow-minded, and is addicted to proving the opposing party wrong. They can't seem to live without it. We need someone to step in with a bit of sense, who's willing to look past whatever color tie someone might be wearing and work together for the American people. Americans Elect seems to be genuinely and whole-heartedly attempting to do this, and the concept of working from the bottom is encouraging. However, I also see truth in what Miriam says, and I agree that the American people have to be willing to take the risk and put out the effort for this third party to have a chance. I don't know that our country is willing to do that yet.
ReplyDeleteI feel as though the two-party system today has become less concerned about the actual issues and more wrapped up in the competition between Republicans and Democrats; focusing too much on they're differences and less on what they could compromise on. Although it is highly unlikely for a third party to actually run a candidate for president and win, now is the time to start trying. Our system is so broken and enough people have began to resent Washington that a third party would have the best chances right now. Third parties would have the best chances building a constituency by focusing first on winning local and state elections and growing form there. People don't believe that third parties will be able to break into the system, that they are just there to force ideas onto the main political parties. However our system has been becoming far to slow and frustrating, therefore maybe people will look for something new, some change and third parties would stand a fair chance.
ReplyDeleteAlthough a third party could help contribute to the American political system, I don’t think that there is room for a third party in Washington. First of all, most Americans identify with or consistently vote for candidates from one of the major parties. Most contributions go to the Republicans or Democrats, and in some states, it is very difficult for third parties to even get on the ballot. Even though American Elect has plans to get “millions of voters” from around the country, I don’t think that they will make much of an impact on the next election. First of all, they don’t have enough established party members or well-known leaders to attract a large number of voters. They also are unlikely to get any electoral votes because they must win a majority vote in most states, and if the party attracts 20% of the popular vote, the still won’t get any electoral votes. Third parties provide great planks on issues and possible solutions to our problems, but because they lack the money and the big names that the major parties have, I don’t think that we will see a third party candidate in the white house anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteIf there was ever a good political climate for a third party to emerge and take control, it is now. The ailing economy would help them greatly. Since there is a divided government, this third party would be able to place blame for the economy on both of the two major parties in order to attract independent voters. The best chance for the success of a third party would be to form a coalition between moderate republicans and moderate democrats dedicated to compromising in order to address the growing financial crisis. However, if a third party is to succeed in the long run they will need to address social issues as well, which is where things could get contentious. If they take a stance on an issue that could be perceived as conservative, they might risk alienating liberal moderates or vice versa. The third party will have to focus on unifying issues, such as the ailing economy, but in order to be a permanent fixture in U.S. politics the third party, will eventually need to take a stance on more dividing social issues—gay rights, gun rights, etc.—at which point the third party may very well be absorbed back into one of the two spheres that divides existing parties. The American elect may or may not be the organization to bridge the gap between the two parties. Either way, with approval ratings for congress at one its lowest point in recent history, the time is ripe for a significant political shake up.
ReplyDeleteAs many people have already said, the Republican and Democratic parties focus more on the party rivalry than on the actual issues. They often refuse to consider similarities or compromise and seem to pass off anything proposed by the opposing party as automatically being bad. Many voters are just as wrapped up in the party rivalry which might make it difficult for a third party to get support. However, many people are dissatisfied with both parties. It will not be easy for any third party to gain enough popularity and power but now would be a good time for a third party with a moderate position to try. A third party would provide another point of view and maybe force politicians to focus on the issues rather than on the party rivalry. I think Americans Elect has a chance if they are able to get enough publicity.
ReplyDeleteWhile the Americans Elect's "no nonsense" stance is one that many Americans would love to see applied in Washington, I just don't see a legitimate force stemming from this attempt at a new party. At most, the Americans Elect could steal votes from one of the major parties as Ralph Nader and the Green party did to the Democrats in 2000. Until the party planks are written I can't be sure which major party the Americans Elect's would draw votes from, though I think the effect would be much more substantial if the Republicans were the victims to
ReplyDeleteAmericans Elect power. Should Americans Elect divide the Republicans, I think the Tea Party may completely succeed from the Republicans as well, and America would be left with a juggernaut in the Democrats and three irrelevant parties not fit to win any elections. Although policy would move much quicker with one dominant party, I would rather the competitive struggle that has defined America for over two centuries.
In countries other than United States have proven that third party system is successful. England has ‘Conservatives’, ‘Labours’, and ‘Liberal Democrats’ and Scotland has ‘Scottish National Party’ being the most dominant followed by ‘Labour Party’ then the ‘Conservative Party’. A survey conducted in 2010 shows “Fifty-eight percent of Americans believe a third major political party is needed because the Republican and Democratic Parties do a poor job of representing the American people (Most Americans Want A Third Party)”. Yet I disagree, there is no need of a third party. ‘Americans Elect’ is a useless effort. It will only create more arguments, more matters left undecided and I believe if a third party does come to being it will create a personal enmity between the parties. This enmity would eventually lead to a ruin of the country.
ReplyDeleteI believe that a third party in our current government would hurt our political party system. The struggle between the Democrats and Republicans is what our whole government is all about. If a third party came into the system, it would force the parties to become narrower in their beliefs. Today, we have two parties and their views are more or less broad. You don't have to believe in everything that your party believes in but you still encourage them. If a third party came into the mix, I feel like the parties would have to become narrower in their beliefs. Therefore, when a president becomes elected, they do not have the broad beliefs they would if there were just two parties. Basically a third party would just create more problems than benefits.
ReplyDeleteI refuse to equate bickering between party activists with lack of concern for America’s well-being. Not only have politicians devoted their lives to public service, but they are the people we elect. However, compromise, a pillar of our political system, is often overlooked in leaders’ quest for idealistic policies. That said, I do not anticipate a successful presidential bid from any third party. Congress, not necessarily the executive, is where power lies and a campaign lacking a grass roots foundation would be quixotic. I believe that some degree of third party involvement is key to a successful political scene. As vehicles for new ideas and visions of the future, third parties often act as catalysts for political innovation. On a large scale, however, I hypothesize a third party would force our current duopoly farther from center and farther from cultural relevance. One centrist party, although appealing in the midst of excessive partisanship, would undermine our current system’s stability. Americans Elect’s experimentation with social media’s role in the political arena could prove significant, but I don’t anticipate their impact will reach far beyond that.
ReplyDeleteWhile from an ideological standpoint there is plenty of room for third parties in American politics, our system of government does not present any opportunity for one to become a serious contender. Most of the elections in the United States are won by the candidate with the highest percent of the vote, limiting third parties’ influences on the more formidable Democrats and Republicans. Since constituents know that their votes for third party candidates will only have an effect if they can oust the established parties, they are encouraged to pick the preferable major party. In contrast, some European nations require that election winners garner a majority of the vote, forcing major parties to compromise with third parties in runoff elections when voters are divided. While promoting the proliferation of political parties, these European nations allow the electorate to vote in accordance with its ideology and be assured of its impact on the government, no matter which candidate it chooses. It is a shame that the United States is not similarly structured; in the current political environment third parties like Americans Elect have little chance of success.
ReplyDeleteI think there is plenty of room for a third party in American politics, it’s just going to be near impossible to be heard. The sensible, centrist ideals are popular amongst those citizens fed up with the republicans and democrats, but many people are too paranoid, too lazy, or too close-minded to consider voting for such a party. Often times, these third parties tend to fall through the cracks of the American politics scene and people merely settle for either a republican or democrat candidate. Current media biases toward the major parties make it hard for a third party to really pick up a significant amount of steam and make a serious impact in politics today. Skepticism and paranoia have led to many people doubting the moral integrity of these third parties and placing more merit on things such as financial abilities, experience, and other less ideal, yet apparently necessary, presidential qualities. What would need to happen for a third party to really have a decent shot to thrive is that not one, but many, charismatic individualists, ironically assimilated in a common voice of sensible centrism, would have to come together and rally the logical everyday Americans to come to their senses and revolutionize the American politics scene. It would require a centrist voice representing it, one that has effectively clips the extremist ends of the current left and right wings. A voice that the average Joe, excluding not “Joe the plumber”, could really get behind and believe in. A voice where the craziness does not have to be accepted as out-weighed, but simply isn’t present from the beginning. I don’t feel like Americans Elect will be able to accomplish this, simply because it will not build a party, merely individual candidates. This lack of party support will inevitably inhibit any of these candidates from achieving success on the national scale. –David S
ReplyDeleteI think that there is room for a third political party because there is a very cynical feel about the government among the public. The popular opinion about the cause of our rising debt is that the bickering going on between the Democrats and Republicans is causing gridlock. I think elected legislators are too discouraged to go against their political party leaders’ extremist views because they are afraid to lose support for their campaigns so that leaves a lot of space in the political spectrum for a party to emerge. Many have tried but ultimately ended up becoming a denomination of the democratic or republican party. The voice of a centralist third party would be that of people who have strayed away from mainstream politics and want immediate compromise. For the American people to know that a party is willing to compromise, the party would have to try understanding the non-elite demands and opinions of the average citizen. Since the organization Americans Elect is not associating themselves with either the Democrat or Republican Party, voters will feel more like they’re voting for the candidate rather than for a party. If more people were encouraged to consider other candidates for political positions then Americans Elect would have a chance.
ReplyDeleteBrenda H.
To answer the first question, I believe that there will always be room for a third party in American politics. That is because third parties have a very important job in American politics. They not only expose the American people to new ideas that neither the Democrats nor the Republicans have, but they also give a more realistic middle-ground option as opposed to the extreme beliefs of the two mainstream parties. I think the organization, Americans Elect, has a chance but not as big of a chance as some potential candidates for the democrats or republicans. Most Americans are used to picking one or the other and don’t see third parties as serious alternatives.
ReplyDelete- Jonathon Morrison
A third party might do America some good by adding new ideas and push old bureaucrats out of the way and get new people into Congress and the government. But I do not see the third parties lasting for more than one term. We have had the Republican and Democratic Party at ends since after George Washington stepped down. And the cases of when a third party candidate has made it up to the presidential election is few and far between (Perot being are most recent). They just do not have as big of a backing as the older parties. And like Sam Brown said “it would just end up splitting one party or the other's voting base”. Like I said the American Elects could win one time in office and after succeeding that they would probably just fade away. Equaling the end of the third party.
ReplyDeleteI agree that there is room for a third party in America. However, it is questionable as to how influential a third party would be towards our political system. Republicans and Democrats have very traditional beliefs so it is hard to say who a third party would be representing; mostly the Americans who have not taken a side yet. I do not think that the Americans Elect have a large chance. The party will be made up of people who do not agree with Republican or Democratic beliefs. However, this does not make everyone's beliefs in the Americans Elect the same.
ReplyDeleteHannah M.
A third party in American politics draws supporters from the Republicans and Democrats. Whether or not there is room for a third party in American politics should not be the question. There are third parties right now in American politics; they just don’t have a large constituent base from which to get votes. The question should be whether or not the third party will be able to make a difference in an election. The only way they would make a difference is if they got the two main parties to focus on issues the third party’s constituents find important or if they draw voters away from a major party. I believe Americans Elect does not have a chance to win the election but they do have a chance to get the major parties to focus on issues that Americans Elect focuses on.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the system has been failing us in the past few elections, I believe that that cannot be solved simply by adding another party. The idea is a very good one, and in the past it has been healthy for our country to occasionally have a third party candidate, I think that our political system runs off of the competition between the two extreme views. Though, it is true that recent candidates have been extremely caught up in the competition and most have no had a hold on what is really important. Especially in this next election, the candidates have only been concentrating on criticizing others when I know I would like to hear what positive things you would do for this country. American Elect does have a valid idea, I don't think it will solve many problems. Also the way they are running it all over the internet has me concerned. There are some things that can reasonably be figured out online, but a candidate for the President of the United States is not one of them. I agree with the author, Albert Hunt, they should start in small communities. I believe that the presidential election is something that needs to be kept as personal with the American people as possible.
ReplyDeleteCurrent Event 8
ReplyDeleteHaving a third party could be a good change for America, as Daniel stated. Maybe it’s time for the Democrats and Republicans to step aside. So far, America has been based on a duopoly election system. Third parties do try to be in the spotlight, however, it is somewhat impossible for them to have a real chance on the ballot. As already stated, the rivalry between the Democrats and Republicans has gotten in the way of good decision-making. Both play the blame game.
Playing the blame game is neither what the founding fathers intended nor what the American people want their representatives to do in Washington.
Although a third party would be good for the American people, there is just not enough room for them. I do not think people are comfortable enough to put their trust in another party. People would continue to vote Democratic because they know where they stand on certain issues, same with voting Republican. The American Elect seems to be drawing a good number of votes, however in years past it has never been enough. They lack a well-known party leader and more importantly money. It all comes down to publicity and voters’ trust. If they are willing to invest everything into those two factors, I think they might have about a 25 percent success rate. However, to be realistic, I don’t think it has a chance of being successful.
I do not believe this third party has a chance at winning, at least not in this election. They seem to be very unrealistic in their plans—they hope to form a base just from reaching out to people on the internet, and they are trying to win nation office instead of starting at the local level and building their way up. If they instead had a grassroots approach to establishing themselves as a long term competitor, I would be more willing to believe in their eventual success. I think right now is the perfect time to start building up a party from the local level while resentment is high for both Democrats and Republicans, however I don't think it will be a quick process. It would be decades before a third party would be able to compete with Democrats or Republicans on a national scale simply citizens are stereotypically resistant to change or don't care enough about politics to do anything beyond voting a straight ticket for whatever party their parents taught them to sympathize with.
ReplyDeleteErin H
I believe in having a third party installed in the American political system. The two-party system has created more of a boxing match between Republicans and Democrats. They fight out and try to see who comes out on top, rather than coming together and thinking of an "in-between" of their beliefs. With a third party in the mix, this could change up their game plans. If the third party can resolve the issues that the two main parties can’t, then the third party has a good chance of becoming successful over time. If the third party takes baby steps into the process of becoming a powerful political party, such as winning local and state elections, and having seats in state legislatures, this could earn peoples trust and they could create a chance of becoming powerful and maybe a contender against the Republicans and Democrats.
ReplyDelete