(09-08-2023, 04:32 PM)homebiscuit Wrote: Unfortunately voters are like politicians, they become gears in the machine rather than individual voices of reason. This is why a strong third party needs to emerge. At least for a little while. The two party system has become a duopoly.

Tried it in the 90s with Perot and Ventura and Buchanan.  There are reasons it won't happen.  

Every race for every seat is a two candidate race, whether it's an R vs D race in FL or a D vs I race in VT. It's possible that we could get a regional third party like a Bernie party in New England or a Cheney party in the mountain west but that's not desirable.  That woild be just more division.   

First we should work on creating space for 3 way races for Congress.  We could use ranked choice voting, or multi member districts.  Then maybe (but only maybe) those people will vote amend the constitution to make 3 way races for President possible and desirable.

But those are both longshots. We're stuck with 2 parties until ranked choice voting or multi member districts come. So what should we do? We have to join our parties and care about them.  And work for them to be better.  Standing detached and saying "they both suck" ... how does that solve anything?

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