Why do Americans put up with bad politicians? page 2

The problem is the other party tries to ruin them and their family’s lives with any kind of dirt they can dig up.

That is exactly the problem with America’s political system. All a party has to do is make the other look bad. When you have multiple parties all having a good chance, then you don’t bring up dirt on people, you merely ridicule some statements you completely disagree with.

Actually we are multiparty. It’s just that many of the parties are really far out in their ideologies. Green Party, Communist Party, Socialist Party, etc.. They will all be on the ballot in November.

Originally posted by jhco50:

Actually we are multiparty.

Not practically, really. Yes, you do have more than one party that can run, but there are only the two parties that actually have the power in politics.

Originally posted by jhco50:

Actually we are multiparty. It’s just that many of the parties are really far out in their ideologies. Green Party, Communist Party, Socialist Party, etc.. They will all be on the ballot in November.

In other countries if you vote for a party which is half-known by people, they will get into Parliament/Congress, that does not occur in the United States. The United States’ political duopoly dominates nearly all elections.

To make a viable party, you must have others who believe the same way you do and it seems the other parties just don’t have the membership.

They don’t have the membership because first-past-the-post does not allow them to enter the political system when faced with the mighty duopoly of the two main parties—and not because people disagree with them.

Maybe, but some of my conservative cohorts belong to other parties like the Libertarians. Ron Paul is very popular and he made a great run during the primaries. I liked a lot he had to say. I also liked Rick Perry, even though he sort of self-destructed.

In the last presidential election I liked Fred Thompson over all others. He was a Constitutional candidate like Reagan. I couldn’t believe it when he dropped out. And then for the republicans to run who they did, I just lost interest. I knew we had lost before we started. I did think Hillary Clinton would have won though.

I specifically mentioned “having a good chance”. It would be a lot better if they’d even just do away with that whole “winner takes all” system. When 20% of the population wants X, then why overrule them with a 100% vote for 80% of the majority? At the very least, aid that 20% of the population by giving the political party they want 20% of the power. In true multi-party political systems, there are many parties not only standing a chance but also having an active role in the current government.

Originally posted by unleashthemind:

If people weren’t ignorant there would be no problem.

Originally posted by Stiltonchees:

Originally posted by unleashthemind:

If people weren’t ignorant there would be no problem.

YUP….we blew away the “smoke-of-bullshit” and discovered: IGNORANCE IS THE PROBLEM.