General Discussion

Selatius

(20,441 posts)

6. The US simply lacks publicly funded elections. That's why we always choose rich people.

Tue Apr 24, 2012, 04:27 PM

Apr 2012

The Senate and House are full of millionaires and are supported by millionaires and billionaires who want certain laws enacted or repealed or modified. We haven't elected a scientist or an engineer or a doctor to the White House precisely because they don't have the resources or aren't supported by people with said resources to even mount a campaign. It essentially costs a billion dollars in campaign expenses just to win all the primaries and then a full-bore presidential campaign at the current rate. To win a Senate seat in a rural state could easily cost over two million in campaign expenses, and it'll cost even more in a heavily populated state.

Office isn't for ordinary people anymore. The rich essentially pushed the cost of playing out of reach of the everyman.

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Does the two-Party system help or hurt our country ?? [View all] kentuck Apr 2012 OP

It isnt the two party system at fault. As long as American citizens rhett o rick Apr 2012 #1

Amen Brother... cbrer Apr 2012 #3

Unfortunately, the present system does not permit either side to wake up... kentuck Apr 2012 #5

In a practical sense, there aren't any options. Selatius Apr 2012 #10

In my opinion... kentuck Apr 2012 #13

Duverger's Law would tend to work against a third viable party from emerging here. Selatius Apr 2012 #20

The electoral college is the most important problem facing multiparty advocates. stevenleser Apr 2012 #21

no doubt... kentuck Apr 2012 #23

IMO getting a "rational candidate" to win against the SYSTEM is like rhett o rick Apr 2012 #27

It would not be easy... kentuck Apr 2012 #28

Even when the people dont like what is happening, I dont believe they recognize rhett o rick Apr 2012 #54

The US simply lacks publicly funded elections. That's why we always choose rich people. Selatius Apr 2012 #6

I agree and in addition, until we get a huge majority of the population willing to vote to change it stevenleser Apr 2012 #9

I don't think that is possible... kentuck Apr 2012 #11

I think it hurts DJ13 Apr 2012 #2

I think it is becoming a necessity... kentuck Apr 2012 #4

I'll go along with this gratuitous Apr 2012 #12

Well said. kentuck Apr 2012 #16

OK let's look at how to break out a third party. rhett o rick Apr 2012 #55

how is republicans and republican-lites a 2 party system? nt msongs Apr 2012 #7

It's the natural evolution of politics... kentuck Apr 2012 #8

Of course it hurts us. That was the founders' greatest mistake. DevonRex Apr 2012 #14

I've said it before: We have a 12 party system. Speck Tater Apr 2012 #15

destroys... nt Romulox Apr 2012 #17

It hurts badly because at this stage the debate is so damn phony but ever more partisan TheKentuckian Apr 2012 #18

It hurts, but it can be fixed with instant run-off voting like the Aussies do it. n/t Cleita Apr 2012 #19

I think the electoral college is an insurmountable obstacle to third parties. It has to go first. stevenleser Apr 2012 #22

I'm all for that. Cleita Apr 2012 #24

But, the electoral college only affects presidential elections. kentuck Apr 2012 #25

My point is, if a party can't make a credible bid for the White House, getting support for it stevenleser Apr 2012 #29

I don't think the present system is set up for a presidential bid... kentuck Apr 2012 #31

And in that we are in agreement, it is not set up for a Presidential bid, therefore the electoral stevenleser Apr 2012 #33

You assume that a Democratic President would not support... kentuck Apr 2012 #36

Winning a national campaign would still entail getting support from the same voters. Therefore... stevenleser Apr 2012 #40

I am just brain-storming but... kentuck Apr 2012 #42

The GOP changed radically with Reagan. All of the progressive legislation you mentioned is preReagan stevenleser Apr 2012 #50

Do you mean "centrist" legislation like...? kentuck Apr 2012 #26

Nope, no specifics. I meant just what I said. You will have frequent centrist coalitions. The issues stevenleser Apr 2012 #32

My point is that... kentuck Apr 2012 #34

I don't think so. I think the Republicans have successfully brainwashed their folks to the point stevenleser Apr 2012 #41

I would agree they do not like Democrats... kentuck Apr 2012 #43

Has nothing to do with Party label. They have thrown out Republicans who voted for these things too stevenleser Apr 2012 #44

Good people have the power of persuasion... kentuck Apr 2012 #45

Which people? Chomsky? Kucinich? Klein? Obama? Clinton? Gravel? Sanders? They are already speaking stevenleser Apr 2012 #49

OK, but how are you going to get the oligarchs to allow IRO voting? nm rhett o rick Apr 2012 #59

Occupy the voting booth? Yes, they will resist so we must insist. Cleita Apr 2012 #62

Before we can replace those reps that have sold out to Corp-America rhett o rick Apr 2012 #63

True, but giving up is not an option either. n/t Cleita Apr 2012 #65

NGU, however we must realize that voting and sending emails isnt enough. nm rhett o rick Apr 2012 #66

The two party system was fine guitar man Apr 2012 #30

The system is broken and the oligarchs wont let you fix it. rhett o rick Apr 2012 #35

That is one option... kentuck Apr 2012 #39

If you want me to believe that there is hope, you will have to convince me that rhett o rick Apr 2012 #53

I think we should have four major parties meow2u3 Apr 2012 #37

I am a staunch supporter of the two-party system KamaAina Apr 2012 #38

Lewis Black on the two party system: Initech Apr 2012 #46

The "two party system" helps maintain the illusion of democracy in a capitalist state. Tierra_y_Libertad Apr 2012 #47

Sh-h-h-h.... kentuck Apr 2012 #48

.. rhett o rick Apr 2012 #57

Helps. bluestate10 Apr 2012 #51

Hurts. GeorgeGist Apr 2012 #52

Anyone who dislikes it is welcome to start a new party (nt) Nye Bevan Apr 2012 #56

So how do you feel about it? nm rhett o rick Apr 2012 #58

One of my senators is neither a Republican nor a Democrat. Nye Bevan Apr 2012 #60

And yet he does not support starting a new party. nm rhett o rick Apr 2012 #64

crippling KG Apr 2012 #61