Does the US really have a two party system??

[StickerMann]

While observing this most magical political season, it got me to thinking--Do we REALLY even have a two party system in this country, as most would believe? Trump has most certainly said some contemptible things along the way; but then Ms. Hillary and her own issues are hardly supportable either.

 

That said, watching the so-called Republican establishment turn on the candidate selected by their electorate over 16 other rivals; made me wonder is the real threat Donald Trump, or the thought of an "outsider" getting into the political playpen, and potentially shining even a glimmer of light on the true cesspool of the "system"??

 

Are the thought of term limits, accountability for one's actions, crony politics, etc. possibly being threatened by an outsider so unthinkable that one would turn on their own party & principles; and quietly support the status quo vs. their own candidate?? Sure looks that way.

 

Say what you will about these two options (both impossible to support if you pay attention to the facts), but one is in the club, and one presents the threat of the unknown.

 

Personally I'm totally disillusioned with our political process, where money has become king, the electorate is mostly ignorant of even the basic facts; and our "media" has become the public relations arm of one political party. Even more frustrated that it's become obvious that maintaining the status quo is more important than any thought of principle.

 

I fear for the country & the massive debt that my children are inheriting. Thoughts?

[capt278]

While observing this most magical political season, it got me to thinking--Do we REALLY even have a two party system in this country, as most would believe? Trump has most certainly said some contemptible things along the way; but then Ms. Hillary and her own issues are hardly supportable either.

 

That said, watching the so-called Republican establishment turn on the candidate selected by their electorate over 16 other rivals; made me wonder is the real threat Donald Trump, or the thought of an "outsider" getting into the political playpen, and potentially shining even a glimmer of light on the true cesspool of the "system"??

 

Are the thought of term limits, accountability for one's actions, crony politics, etc. possibly being threatened by an outsider so unthinkable that one would turn on their own party & principles; and quietly support the status quo vs. their own candidate?? Sure looks that way.

 

Say what you will about these two options (both impossible to support if you pay attention to the facts), but one is in the club, and one presents the threat of the unknown.

 

Personally I'm totally disillusioned with our political process, where money has become king, the electorate is mostly ignorant of even the basic facts; and our "media" has become the public relations arm of one political party. Even more frustrated that it's become obvious that maintaining the status quo is more important than any thought of principle.

 

I fear for the country & the massive debt that my children are inheriting. Thoughts?

 

Agree with your post 100%.

 

Sad times we are living in right now.

[4chs]

We need a Moderate Party.

[THE SHERIFF]

Yes it's still a two party system, the crooked Democratic Party and the broken Republican Party. Pick your poison!

[UKMustangFan]

We need to rid ourselves of parties altogether.

[mcpapa]

The current system will not go away until enough people vote third party. If this ain't the election to take a stand, we're stuck with what we've got for a long, long time.

[Jumper_Dad]

The current system will not go away until enough people vote third party. If this ain't the election to take a stand, we're stuck with what we've got for a long, long time.

 

Too bad the third party canidates weren't any good either. A Good 3rd party canidate could have made a serious push this election...but Johnson wasn't it.

[StickerMann]

The current system will not go away until enough people vote third party. If this ain't the election to take a stand, we're stuck with what we've got for a long, long time.

 

This probably was the election for a very good third party candidate to get some traction, but most of the electorate is so ignorant to what's going on; that it would be difficult for a true reform candidate to get his message out, without the help of the full spectrum of media.

 

A good case could be made that Trump is a third party candidate, as he's certainly not getting much support from his own party; in fact is getting a good deal of opposition (Much of it warranted).

 

The vast majority of the media is speaking in lockstep with the DNC's talking points, so I'm not sure how an alternative candidate would get his/her message out to the casual voter. Trump has done a remarkable job in that regard, mostly due to his celebrity going in.

[Builder1214]

There is 1 party in this country. The politician party. This election is about maintaining the status quo for the political class. It's is the best "job" in America. Get elected. Do some favors for some lobbyists. Leave office with several hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars.

[MayfieldFan]

I seem to recall someone saying something about this country becoming an oligarchy. Ole Bernie Sanders.

 

If you want better candidates, vote for them. My new standard is honesty. I am only going to vote for candidates who are honest. I know they all fudge on things like budget details and whatnot, but I want a person who is honest at their core.

 

We chose with our votes Clinton and Trump.

[ggclfan]

I seem to recall someone saying something about this country becoming an oligarchy. Ole Bernie Sanders.

 

If you want better candidates, vote for them. My new standard is honesty. I am only going to vote for candidates who are honest. I know they all fudge on things like budget details and whatnot, but I want a person who is honest at their core.

 

We chose with our votes Clinton and Trump.

 

Don't hold your breath...

[StickerMann]

Reading the other thread about Kasich's decision to go back on his word to support his party's candidate, made me realize how true this thread's title is becoming. The Republican establishment would rather lose to HRC than see an outsider get in office who might actually effect true change.

 

One thing I'll say for the Dems, no matter how bad it gets, or how corrupt their candidate; they always circle the wagons and support their own!!

[Getslow]

Reading the other thread about Kasich's decision to go back on his word to support his party's candidate, made me realize how true this thread's title is becoming. The Republican establishment would rather lose to HRC than see an outsider get in office who might actually effect true change.

 

The notion that Trump is an outsider is one of the most hilarious fabrications in politics today. He's correct when he says he's not a politician, but he's a billionaire who's been buying influence in the highest circles of power for decades. He might not be a politician himself, but he's been hobnobbing with them for years.

[TheDeuce]

The notion that Trump is an outsider is one of the most hilarious fabrications in politics today. He's correct when he says he's not a politician, but he's a billionaire who's been buying influence in the highest circles of power for decades. He might not be a politician himself, but he's been hobnobbing with them for years.

 

:thumb:

[StickerMann]

The notion that Trump is an outsider is one of the most hilarious fabrications in politics today. He's correct when he says he's not a politician, but he's a billionaire who's been buying influence in the highest circles of power for decades. He might not be a politician himself, but he's been hobnobbing with them for years.

 

Hard to argue with this one, but a businessman might just change the status quo for the political class?