[Jim Robinson]

That's the real problem. How are you going to convince the brainwashed dependent populace that independence, individualism and freedom is in their best interest? If we had more parties, how would it be any different? Wouldn't the dependent masses continue to huddle in the most secure liberal parties? Wouldn't the Libertians, Reformers, Christian Right, right-wing conservatives, et al, still be outnumbered, and wouldn't this setup conditions for a complete socialist takeover?

[BillofRights]

Your points are well-taken and your questions are fair. However, I believe that the complete socialist takeover, of which you speak, is in-progress and on schedule. Freedom is already lost, however, the illusion of freedom remains for many. Anyone or any entity who actually posed a legitimate threat to our 2-headed-one-party power monopoly would become "dog food" in a nano-second.

[rintense]

You are correct, Jim. More political parties won't solve anything. It serves to divide a core base of political idea. Look at New Zealand for example. Between 4-6 major political parties... and the most liberal hag is in charge.

[ruoflaw]

well, over our history, there have been different parties: the Copperheads, the Know Nothings are just two examples but this never lasts long and people go back to the two party system....or they can can run as a independent. Our government will only be as good as the people... because it is of the people and for the people and it is up to the people to keep aware of what is going on...this site helps us keep aware...there will always be those that don't pay attention because they don't care until something happens that effects them...most of us learn sooner or later.

[LarryLied]

How are you going to convince the brainwashed dependent populace that independence, individualism and freedom is in their best interest?

That is the question. I naively thought in 1964 almost everyone would celebrate the end of the Democrat Party poliboro-like lock on the House. That sure didn't happen. Shortly after, I joined the Alliance for the Separation of School and State. Again, I naively thought everyone would endorse the freedom to sent their kids to any school they wished. The reaction was the opposite, it was emotional and hostile. Why did I hate teachers? Why did I hate public school? Why was I so destructive?

The benefits of freedom do, as you mention, have to be sold to people. And it isn't an easy sell.

[A Vast RightWing Conspirator]

If we had more parties, how would it be any different? Wouldn't the dependent masses continue to huddle in the most secure liberal parties? Wouldn't the Libertians, Reformers, Christian Right, right-wing conservatives, et al, still be outnumbered, and wouldn't this setup conditions for a complete socialist takeover?

What we have now is the GOPs nearly completely abandoning the Conservative ideology, losing all respect for our Constitution and competing with the Democrats to grow and empower the gov't as much as possible. And, while at it, faking some huge disagreements with their fellow Dems, claiming 'conservatism' for themselves and though their sheer well-funded weight, preventing any true freedom or Constitution-loving voice from being heard.

Several viable political groups would facilitate debate and would give the people the ability to more closely align themselves with the groups that best represent their view. The fact that 50% of our electorate doesn't vote could mean that many of those 50% can't find anyone to represent them or can't even imagine any alternative to the ever-growing daddy-knows-best state. I and many people that I know can't identify with either of these two political Mafias. I found a presidential candidate to vote for last time around but I knew he would not win long before the election started. Most of those who knew didn't waste their time.

Would it be 'different' if there were more political parties? Of course it would. The first visible difference: we would no longer have this ideological monopoly that suffocates most original political thought. How many original political thinkers are alive and producing today?

Would it be better? I personally don't know but enquiring minds would very much like to.