Why don't third parties understand

[chrisms]

Why don't third parties understand the way to reform American politics isn't by creating a new party, but by changing an existing one. Call yourself a Democrat and enact Libertarian policies, nobody will know the difference.

 

[Zysoclaplem]

Because by the time you get to the third party you are too drunk and high to care.

 

[3chordcharlie]

I suspect it's because they don't believe any of the parties provide a reasonable starting point for reforming policy, and because they are each so deep in the pockets of certain 'interests' that they will never themselves be free to adopt a platform of their own choosing.

In some countries, 3rd parties with a strong message actually manage to become major players (reform and NDP in Canada, though I don't like either, have appealed to enough voters to become legitimate players on the national stage).

 

[Infohawk]

Originally posted by: chrisms
Why don't third parties understand the way to reform American politics isn't by creating a new party, but by changing an existing one. Call yourself a Democrat and enact Libertarian policies, nobody will know the difference.

People don't know enough about our system and how other people do it. Duverger's law pretty much applies in the US (check out wikipedia definition). I for one would support proportional and run-off systems and then vote for third parties, but until there is structural reform (which isn't happening anytime soon), I'm going to try to fit in the Democratic party even though I don't agree with all their ideals.

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: 3chordcharlie
I suspect it's because they don't believe any of the parties provide a reasonable starting point for reforming policy, and because they are each so deep in the pockets of certain 'interests' that they will never themselves be free to adopt a platform of their own choosing.

In some countries, 3rd parties with a strong message actually manage to become major players (reform and NDP in Canada, though I don't like either, have appealed to enough voters to become legitimate players on the national stage).

Indeed. And OP, check out the Libertarian Party - they have more elected officials in office than any other 3rd party. No, the right idea is to create a platform and run on those principles, hoping enough people can identify with them and support you. There's already enough subversion in the 2 main parties, adding more is not the answer. Third parties aren't trying to modify government to fit their ideals in a 'sneaky' manner. They want and need the support of people who identify with them.

 

[Darkhawk28]

Third parties don't advance in stature because they're always satisfied with getting 2%.

 

[imported_Condor]

Eh? Because they are slightly dimmer than Dimocrats?

 

[Darkhawk28]

Originally posted by: Condor
Eh? Because they are slightly dimmer than Dimocrats?

No, probably because they aren't like Repugs: inherently thugs and immoral bigots that prey upon the myopic nature of man.

 

[Infohawk]

Originally posted by: Condor
Eh? Because they are slightly dimmer than Dimocrats?

Which banned troll are you? Or are all you new sub-1000 trolls riprorin?

 

[Vic]

It is difficult to advance within the corruption of the 2 major parties while sticking to dramatically opposing political ideals.

The real question is: why must the American people persist in blinding themselves into believing that only the 2 major parties hold viable political options? The only answer I've been able to find for this one is simple herd mentality, the same as the vacant-minded who watch the polls simply to make sure they don't end voting for the losing party.

The Republican party was once a "third party" btw.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: Condor
Eh? Because they are slightly dimmer than Dimocrats?

God forbid there be a voice of dissent in American politics, right? :roll:

 

[Infohawk]

Originally posted by: Vic
It is difficult to advance within the corruption of the 2 major parties while sticking to dramatically opposing political ideals.

The real question is: why must the American people persist in blinding themselves into believing that only the 2 major parties hold viable political options? The only answer I've been able to find for this one is simple herd mentality, the same as the vacant-minded who watch the polls simply to make sure they don't end voting for the losing party.

The Republican party was once a "third party" btw.

Or that they want to make their votes count. Check out Duverger's law.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: Infohawk
Or that they want to make their votes count. Check out Duverger's law.

I'm familiar. It's simply another glaring example of how democracy is not a perfect system. The majority retain full franchise (their votes count), the minority are in effect disenfranchised (their votes don't count), and those who choose not to vote are in fact franchised towards the majority (every vote not cast that could have been cast is in fact a vote for the majority).
People are seeking to retain their franchise, but split into a classic coke v. pepsi scenario in the course of their disagreements, hence 2 parties. The fact that the 2 parties, in the efforts to attract to all possible voters, begin to add so many conflicting planks to their platforms that make it so no person of any reasonable intelligence and conviction could ever possibly toe the entire party line, is conveniently ignored.
George Washington (using much different words of course) warned of this.