Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Any thoughts on multiple parties?

Posted on 09/03/2004 9:24:59 PM PDT by IndieKid

What are people's thoughts of trying to steer away from a two party system? I think Americans are smart enough to choose a person from a list of 5, 10, or 15 candidates. It happened in California. Somebody can run on an anti-war platform but pro-choice or for the war but for gay rights. And I mean a real multiple party system, not like Nader, where people think if you vote for him you vote for Bush.


TOPICS: Society
KEYWORDS: cuddleparties
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-49 next last

1 posted on 09/03/2004 9:24:59 PM PDT by IndieKid
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: IndieKid

In maybe 2-3 more elections, the Democrat party will be splintered, leaving lots of opportunities for new parties to step into the breach.


2 posted on 09/03/2004 9:26:25 PM PDT by thoughtomator ("With 64 days left, John Kerry still has time to change his mind 4 or 5 more times" - Rudy Giuliani)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: IndieKid

Who are YOU trying to kid?


3 posted on 09/03/2004 9:27:00 PM PDT by A Jovial Cad ("I had no shoes and I complained, until I saw a man who had no feet.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: thoughtomator

And the GOP, by the way things are going.

I've heard of this arragiment on FR

Consertive/Constutuion
Rino/MainStream Demo
Green/Kennedy liberal.


4 posted on 09/03/2004 9:28:06 PM PDT by John Will
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: thoughtomator

Think Italy and call us back.


5 posted on 09/03/2004 9:28:07 PM PDT by DeFault User
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: IndieKid

It's worked real well in Europe. /sarcasm

Now, go to bed before your mom finds out you are still on the Internet.


6 posted on 09/03/2004 9:28:56 PM PDT by Samwise ("...and His hand shall bind up all our scattered leaves again...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: IndieKid
Welcome to Free Republic. We have at least six or seven parties, but only two are viable in most elections. Feel free to vote your conscience.
7 posted on 09/03/2004 9:30:01 PM PDT by The_Victor
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: IndieKid
Won't work. Never has worked. Never will work.

If you can't work within one of the two major parties, you're wasting your time and your vote.

8 posted on 09/03/2004 9:31:01 PM PDT by sinkspur ("What's the point in being Pope if I can't wear the tiara?"--Cardinal Fanfani)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: IndieKid

Let's say that when you vote for president, there are 20 people on the ballot and you get to vote for the 10 you think are best. In that case, multiple parties would be fine.

However, as long as it's one person = one vote, any 3rd party is splitting the vote.


9 posted on 09/03/2004 9:32:29 PM PDT by VisualizeSmallerGovernment (Question Liberal Authority)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: A Jovial Cad

I think KID is the key word here don't you?


10 posted on 09/03/2004 9:32:37 PM PDT by ladyinred (John Kerry reporting for "SPITBALL" duty!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: IndieKid
There are several other parties already, maybe a consolidation of all little known conservative Parties into one group with an agreed upon message might have a chance to get beyond the ceiling of 5% of the National Vote and earn the right to enter the debates. But as long as those who are running the Libertarian and Constitution Parties continue to lead them, there is little chance for a serious third party challenge anytime soon
11 posted on 09/03/2004 9:32:57 PM PDT by MJY1288 (John Kerry Says he Would Conduct a More Thoughtful and Sensitive War on Terror)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: IndieKid

I see no reason why we need to be wedded to just two parties, especially wehn the very premise of the two-party system, that the parties offer meaningful alternatives, is being violated.

How does locking in the two-party system serve the public interest?

The place to start building a multiparty system is to make sure states set the same standards for ballot access and for remaining on the ballot, as well as nominations, for all parties. If they hve tough access standards for the constitution, libertarian, and Green Parties, tehn they must hve similarly tough stnadards for the Republicans and Democrats. Or if they have easy standards for the Republicans and Democrats, then the same easy standards must be applied to all parties. The standards are set by the state, but they should be consistent.

Also, what are your views on cross-endorsement, i.e., allowing a candidate to run on more than one line? It seems to work in New York, which has (at the moment) 5 permanent parties.


12 posted on 09/03/2004 9:33:09 PM PDT by TBP
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: IndieKid

The best way to figure out if another multi-party system would be better is to really read and watch American politics for another 10 years.

Believe me, I have some ideas for a third party, but we'll just have to see what happens to the Democrats after this election devastates them in all levels of government.


13 posted on 09/03/2004 9:33:31 PM PDT by coconutt2000
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: IndieKid

I think you should go over to Democrats and start a thread about how wonderful it would be to have multiple parties and see if you can siphon off some Democrat votes, great idea!


14 posted on 09/03/2004 9:33:42 PM PDT by A CA Guy (God Bless America, God bless and keep safe our fighting men and women.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: IndieKid
We've already got multiple parties. Greens, Reform, Libertarian, and Constitution....if there was any demand for a third party, people would be flocking to one of those banners.

They are not.

Bush or Kerry, those are your choices.
15 posted on 09/03/2004 9:33:59 PM PDT by Belisaurius ("Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, Ted" - Joseph Kennedy 1958)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: John Will

Or maybe this is a party with a big tent, who allows people of different backgrounds and beliefs to participate without calling them names? Wouldn't that be refreshing.


16 posted on 09/03/2004 9:34:25 PM PDT by ladyinred (John Kerry reporting for "SPITBALL" duty!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: IndieKid

I would like to revise and extend my remarks. I strongly urge all anti-war Democrats to vote for Nader to send a strong message that they won't be taken for granted.


17 posted on 09/03/2004 9:34:41 PM PDT by VisualizeSmallerGovernment (Question Liberal Authority)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ladyinred

LOL...yep...or DUmmy...either/or


18 posted on 09/03/2004 9:36:28 PM PDT by A Jovial Cad ("I had no shoes and I complained, until I saw a man who had no feet.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: IndieKid

Take a good look at your ballot when you go to vote. You will see 20 or so Presidential candidates.


19 posted on 09/03/2004 9:37:23 PM PDT by Texas Eagle (If it wasn't for double-standards, Liberals would have no standards at all)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: thoughtomator

In case of seriously splintered or multiple parties it may become necessary to govern by coalition. This is the prescription for paralysis and disaster, as there is no "sugar daddy" country willing and capable of guaranteeing our national security while the parties keep squabbling. Hence IMO the idea is very dangerous and best be aborted.


20 posted on 09/03/2004 9:37:52 PM PDT by GSlob
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-49 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson