Some number stuff on Iraq and Bush

August · 03-23-06, 12:36 PM

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Originally Posted by scandium

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Originally Posted by Konovalov

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Originally Posted by Type XXIII

The main problem in American politics is the polarization that occurs when there are only two viable parties.

I'm not sure that I agree with that. Back home in Australia we have always only had two viable parties being the Labour Party and the Liberals (actually conservative). In the case of the USA the reason for the polarization there I think has more to do with the style of politics, gutter politics IMO, by both sides that has basically split the country right down the middle. Either you are red or blue. There is no middle ground it seems. You only have to look at US News Channels to view the absolute vindictive, spitefull and hate filled nature of US politics today. I think voters deserve a hell of a lot better than this.

I think that is precisely because there are only two viable parties plus, as he mentioned, the 'first past the post' principle.

Here in Canada we have right now 4 major parties, and even though federal elections tend to come down to 2 parties (Liberals or Conservatives) the other 2 (the NDP and the Bloc) act as a check because they do win seats in the government - not enough to form the government, but enough to act as a check on it and prevent the black and white, or red and blue, we see in American politics.

It's not as red and blue as people would have you believe. Third party candidates have had a significant effect on 4 Presidential elections in my life time alone.