Reply #54: I can not believe what I'm reading

[ulTRAX]

Xithras wrote: "Remember, the entire electoral system in the United States revolves around the basic concept that we elect PEOPLE not PARTIES. That those people belong to parties and have a common view is great, but I want to choose the actual PERSON who is going to be representing my viewpoint and my positions in Congress. Proportional representation strips us of that right and forces us to vote instead for some theoretical platform that the party may, or may NOT, pursue after being elected."

And the alternative is having all elections based in set geographical districts or states which almost guarantees the minority parties, who may make up a sizable minority nationally can NEVER win in any district or state. THIS is the crux of many of our problems. Voters favoring minority parties can not vote their conscience because they are doomed to never have representation for their views. So they vote the lesser of the evils. The marketplace of ideas that SHOULD be active in representative government is reduced to the parties moving to the middle... parties waltz around each other stealing the other's issues.

"Proportional representation also has a corrosive effect on the beliefs of the minority parties. The fact that Party Y got 10% of the votes and 10% of the seats may seem great on the surface, but 10% of the votes in Congress isn't going to get a single bill passed supporting their platforms or shoot down any bill they oppose. To make their voices heard, these minority parties have to forge "alliances", forcing everyone to compromise on their beliefs and creating an environment where deals are worked out in backroom meetings ("vote for my unpopular bill X and I'll vote for your unpopular bill Y")."

And just what DO you favor? We already know our two party system NARROWS the range of political debate. No one raises the BIG issues such as corporate personhood, or constitutional reform. As for political minorities.. do you actually believe either Progressives or Rightists are not co-opted by this system? They MUST compromise their beliefs with their parent party because they know the system doesn't allow them to go follow their conscience and go it alone without acting as "spoilers".