True reform of the existing two parties would begin with a third party.
Sam, I once thought that approach had great promise. Maybe it still does. What can you suggest to solve the myriad obstacles facing third parties?
For reasons we could discuss for days, the complexities working against third parties seem immense.
I believe we stand a chance if we could find a way to overcome, one at time, the advantages enjoyed by the established order.
For instance: the money machine. It pays for the existing parties in ways that even leaves us fighting against our own money. The media's propaganda is funded mostly by the ads of business interests in the off season, which we pay for with our patronage of the businesses; and by protected monied interests during campaign season, which we pay for in other ways. Boycotts and patronage are tools. FReeping appears to be a growing tactic. But it isn't strategic. How do you plan on shifting the allegiance of old party loyalists to the new?
Other questions: Why have third parties mostly failed? Have any really succeeded? Where and how and under what circumstances?
Historically, it appears to be far harder to succeed with a new party than gradually gain some sway over branches of existing parties. (And even if you do, what happens when the parent org abandons your branch?) Whichever choice, either is a demanding job.
It is indeed troubling at how the two parties seemed to have merged into what could be called "the party of the ruling class."
Oh, I agree completely. The obstacles are formidable.
But think of it. The figure 51% would no longer have any meaning. Nor would phrases like "us or them". The two current parties wouldn't know what to do. Polling numbers would be all askew. A candidate could win office by a majority of only 35%. How important would the Electoral College be then? Can you see why the two current parties don't want to get rid of it? As long as they hear rumblings in the grassroots of a third party springing up, they won't ever get rid of it. Jesse Ventura must've scared the bejeebers out of a lot of the 'behind the scenes' power brokers. They are way too happy to continue with the status quo, which is to divert the sheeples attention from what is really important, by carrying on with all this partisan/bi-partisan crap. They've latched onto this current system like a tick on a hound dog. But even a tick knows enough to let go when it's bloated.
It's these thoughts and many others that make me think that true reform cannot take place until a third party comes along and grows strong. There must be an uncertainty factor thrown into the mix to keep them all honest. And I use the word 'honest' very loosely in this context. I wouldn't want to be accused of attributing a character trait like that, to those that seem genetically incapable of understanding the concept.