Are third parties a viable way to raise issues in US politics?

COL Lee Flemming — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 02:56:50 -0400

Raised a question yesterday regarding presidential candidates getting to 270 and interestingly enough got a number of third party supporters chime in. I decided to expand the issue today with its own question!

Response by TSgt Joe C. made Sep 20 at 2016 6:00 AM

TSgt Joe C. — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 06:00:39 -0400

They are I think. Right now, I also feel there are too many red and blue supporters though for a third party to make a difference COL Lee Flemming

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Sep 20 at 2016 6:32 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 06:32:19 -0400

Sure.

At the very minimum, the other two parties must react to the presence of the third party.

The eventual goal of both parties is TOTAL monopoly of Power. The two party system is equilibrium of Power. A third party threatens equilibrium and the eventual gaining of monopoly (counter-intuitive since third parties tend to draw from the discontent of BOTH sides).

We have modern examples where the dynamic has worked. Ross Perot and the Tea Party are both effectively sub-party movements. In the case of the latter, it was reabsorbed before total split and the party politics shifted accordingly.

The major issue is not however the presence of a third party though, it is the ATTITUDE of others regarding it. "Some" seem to think either party is entitled to MY or YOUR vote. They are not. It doesn't mathematically matter who I vote for. "I" am statistically irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. "I" am never going to change the course of an election. This is compounded by how our election system is set up, especially at the Presidential level. The flawed logic of "A vote for X is a vote for Y" has somehow permeated our society and really needs to be stomped out anytime someone says this BS, otherwise we're going to get the candidates we deserve rather than the ones we want.

Edit: Spelling. No more typing at 6:30

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Sep 20 at 2016 6:48 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 06:48:11 -0400

The problem is a third party without some of the off-beat ideas, becomes one of the two parties in existence now. If it were possible to find a perfect candidate for us, there would be about 330,000,000 candidates. We are far from getting a third party candidate that can garner even the 15% needled to participate in the presidential debates.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2016 6:49 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 06:49:36 -0400

There are several smaller parties with amazing ideas and interested people. The way current powers control the system, the American system has been transformed to keep third parties out forcing to pick between two options.

Modern Whig Party is a group of people started by veterans. ...but to become a real Presidential option, it will take a dedicated decade to grow from local, state, and national offices all over the country- that's not an easy task when entrenched encumbrances control the purse.

http://www.modernwhig.org/

The Modern Whig Party

Welcome to The Modern Whig Party of America. We are a political party based on reason, civility, and service to our country. A grassroots force founded by veterans, we are committed to fighting for a political system based on common sense and courage.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 20 at 2016 9:19 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 09:19:35 -0400

Should there be more trashcans outside the chow hall? Should a private have picked up the trash already?

Two party voting is where those are the choices presented and all civs are discussing that, but everyone on this forum knows the right thing is to pick up that trash.

Do the right thing

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Sep 20 at 2016 10:06 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 10:06:36 -0400

No, not really, unless they actually elect candidates to Congress in sufficient numbers. No, they don't need a majority, just a sufficient minority to form coalitions with the other parties to barter their votes in exchange for their causes and issues. Until they achieve some political power in Congress in this manner they will simply be voices crying in the wilderness

Response by SPC Nathan Freeman made Sep 20 at 2016 10:53 AM

SPC Nathan Freeman — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 10:53:00 -0400

Had there been a decent third party choice, a lot of people would have gone third party. But no, we get Gary clueless Johnson.