Thread: Are Political Parties a good idea?

yes

I wanted you to answer first I have agreed with you far to many times tonight, kinda makes me feel like you want to make a change with your life......

Originally Posted by viet_jon

yes

Why???

can you think of a better alternative?

That is a non answer

despite the fact George Washington strongly warned against them in his farewell address, political parties have proved a benifit to our countries political system. if we dont like whats going on we elect the "other guys".

the fact that we have 2 strong political parties has also proved to be a benifit to our country. the benifit is that we are less likely to be controled by the minority. (think sadam hussien in power, or apartied) if we look at bills today in the U.S. and think "why the hell was that added to the bill?" we should compare them to other countries with many smaller parties. what ends up happening in these countries with multiple parties is that to get anything to pass each small party ends up getting to add something to the bill, causing the majority to cater to the whims of the minority.

is this enough of a discussion for you foreman?

Originally Posted by bio-chem

despite the fact George Washington strongly warned against them in his farewell address, political parties have proved a benifit to our countries political system. if we dont like whats going on we elect the "other guys".

the fact that we have 2 strong political parties has also proved to be a benifit to our country. the benifit is that we are less likely to be controled by the minority. (think sadam hussien in power, or apartied) if we look at bills today in the U.S. and think "why the hell was that added to the bill?" we should compare them to other countries with many smaller parties. what ends up happening in these countries with multiple parties is that to get anything to pass each small party ends up getting to add something to the bill, causing the majority to cater to the whims of the minority.

is this enough of a discussion for you foreman? Yes

I do think the 2 parties dose the opposite of what you and many others say. It gives the top 1% total control of us...thus the minority.

The idea of a political party isnt bad but the reality of having only two is. The republicans and democrats are essentially the same thing when it comes down to it. Neither believe in true freedoms and both want big government. The smaller parties like libertarian, reform and green get excluded from public campaign money and all the real debates by the two major ones. This exclusion never allows alternative ideas into the political ideaology debate.

The USA currently has 2 political parties. Are you talking about those political parties?

If so, yes they're a great idea. In Holland we have like 10 political parties. You can vote on the party you like best, not on the party you find better than the other. It's more democratic.

Direct election would be nice, too.

I think it is a good idea, but I don't think the two party system is a good idea.

I think parties are a good idea because it allows voters to get some sense of a candidate's position on various policies by just knowing their party. Otherwise it would require specifically researching each candidates feelings on all the political subjects they feel important.

However, I feel the two party system in America is far too limited. I also don't like the idea of the majority having total power over the minority. If 52% of the population votes one way and 48% votes another way, then both deserve almost equal representation. I do realize that there are independent parties out there, but as we all know it is very hard for any of them to gain momentum because people feel like they are "throwing their vote away" if their vote 3rd party.

Exactly. Direct election to the rescue.

Originally Posted by ForemanRules

Discuss

Only if it's a toga party.

Originally Posted by ForemanRules

I do think the 2 parties dose the opposite of what you and many others say. It gives the top 1% total control of us...thus the minority.

maybe the top 1% who actually vote. in which case the people who didnt really have little reason to bitch.

and foreman could you explain to me where your eternal pesimism comes from? i mean in all reality where does the U.S. government control us? everyday i go where i want to go without asking permission, i purchase anything i want/need without any difficulty or wait. and i get to do all this in relative safety. i dont feel the government is perfect (far from it), but despite its many weaknesses I have yet to see something better.

Originally Posted by bio-chem

maybe the top 1% who actually vote. in which case the people who didnt really have little reason to bitch.

and foreman could you explain to me where your eternal pesimism comes from? i mean in all reality where does the U.S. government control us? everyday i go where i want to go without asking permission, i purchase anything i want/need without any difficulty or wait. and i get to do all this in relative safety. i dont feel the government is perfect (far from it), but despite its many weaknesses I have yet to see something better.

The feds are probably watching you right now, punk.

I think the politcal system of the states is working wonderfully!

more wonderfullness!

Originally Posted by bio-chem

and foreman could you explain to me where your eternal pesimism comes from? i mean in all reality where does the U.S. government control us? everyday i go where i want to go without asking permission, i purchase anything i want/need without any difficulty or wait. and i get to do all this in relative safety. i dont feel the government is perfect (far from it), but despite its many weaknesses I have yet to see something better.

good stuff bio!!

Originally Posted by bio-chem

maybe the top 1% who actually vote. in which case the people who didnt really have little reason to bitch.

and foreman could you explain to me where your eternal pesimism comes from? i mean in all reality where does the U.S. government control us? everyday i go where i want to go without asking permission, i purchase anything i want/need without any difficulty or wait. and i get to do all this in relative safety. i dont feel the government is perfect (far from it), but despite its many weaknesses I have yet to see something better.

If you looked at the stats you would see many more than 1% of the population votes. Our system is all about money....try to become the president, a senator or a congressman without tons of $$$$$. Our system supports the rich and the rich only.

Originally Posted by bio-chem

maybe the top 1% who actually vote. in which case the people who didnt really have little reason to bitch.

and foreman could you explain to me where your eternal pesimism comes from? i mean in all reality where does the U.S. government control us? everyday i go where i want to go without asking permission, i purchase anything i want/need without any difficulty or wait. and i get to do all this in relative safety. i dont feel the government is perfect (far from it), but despite its many weaknesses I have yet to see something better.

So you are educated about the other 188 countries political systems and history......??????


I think not....To know what is best you have to know about all that is out there.....But that is another argument and very off topic to this discussion.

canada is pretty similar. And canada and the states are one of the best places to live.



I also know vietnam. A communist country. Where there is only 1 party.

Originally Posted by ForemanRules

So you are educated about the other 188 countries political systems and history......??????


I think not....To know what is best you have to know about all that is out there.....But that is another argument and very off topic to this discussion.

your really showing your ignorance in this discussion foreman, i expect better from you. i never said the US was best, i said i have yet to see anything better. showing that my knowlege is incomplete in regards to the criteria you propose. and if we are going to limit this discussion to individuals who are educated on all 188 countries and their polical systems and history no one could participate. least of all yourself.

yet again i ask, how is life so bad here in the US?

Originally Posted by Witchblade

The feds are probably watching you right now, punk.

trust me, they have lot bigger fish to catch (some on this forum)

Originally Posted by bio-chem

your really showing your ignorance in this discussion foreman, i expect better from you. i never said the US was best, i said i have yet to see anything better. showing that my knowlege is incomplete in regards to the criteria you propose. and if we are going to limit this discussion to individuals who are educated on all 188 countries and their polical systems and history no one could participate. least of all yourself.

yet again i ask, how is life so bad here in the US?

Shame on you sir. Your the ignorant one thinking only the very rich vote as you said. And save me the BS play on words...you inferred the USA was the best and you know you did.....now you are back pedaling because you know almost nothing about the other 188 countries and can't defend your silly claim. Again you change the topic.

Life in the US is great if you are in the top 5% or so....even better if you are in the top 1%..

Originally Posted by ForemanRules

Shame on you sir. Your the ignorant one thinking only the very rich vote as you said. And save me the BS play on words...you inferred the USA was the best and you know you did.....now you are back pedaling because you know almost nothing about the other 188 countries and can't defend your silly claim. Again you change the topic.

Life in the US is great if you are in the top 5% or so....even better if you are in the top 1%..

in my original post i said directly the US is far from perfect. how can you possibly read that to me saying they are the best. i am not back pedaling by any means. ive lived in another country for an extended period of time, and ive had a fair amount of study in both economics and history. so dont go assuming something you know very little about. (any time you wish to discuss any other countries politics, history or economics you let me know.) i never said only the very rich vote. so let me clarify if you cant understand. of the people capable of voting here in america only a small percentage participates in the elections.

agian do you want to explain your eternal pessimism towards the US? you have given a very general answer about the rich controling politics in this country, but i dont see many people living in poverty (that own 3 tv's) complaining about how they cant be govenor of california. i would argue its not the rich, but the educated. of which i have no problem.

Originally Posted by viet_jon

canada is pretty similar. And canada and the states are one of the best places to live.



I also know vietnam. A communist country. Where there is only 1 party.

wrong!

not into this political crap.


all i know is....................................we should have nothing to complain about.

Originally Posted by bio-chem

in my original post i said directly the US is far from perfect. how can you possibly read that to me saying they are the best. i am not back pedaling by any means. ive lived in another country for an extended period of time, and ive had a fair amount of study in both economics and history. so dont go assuming something you know very little about. (any time you wish to discuss any other countries politics, history or economics you let me know.) i never said only the very rich vote. so let me clarify if you cant understand. of the people capable of voting here in america only a small percentage participates in the elections.

agian do you want to explain your eternal pessimism towards the US? you have given a very general answer about the rich controling politics in this country, but i dont see many people living in poverty (that own 3 tv's) complaining about how they cant be govenor of california. i would argue its not the rich, but the educated. of which i have no problem.

I would like that, please start by listing the 188 or so other countries and where you would like to start.