3 ms·

Maybe it's worth it to first reform the political system from a first-past-the-post system to more proportional representation (otherwise, unless I'm mistaken,

by FabHK 8y ago

Maybe it's worth it to first reform the political system from a first-past-the-post system to more proportional representation (otherwise, unless I'm mistaken, those votes go pretty much straight to the wastepaper basket (or trash can, in this case)).

dfxm12 8y ago
Even in our current system, after a third party reaches a certain threshold, they qualify for government funding. It's something to think about if you don't like the candidates the major parties are running and thus assume your vote means nothing. Search for "Minor party candidates" here for the specifics: https://www.fec.gov/introduction-campaign-finance/understanding-ways-support-federal-candidates/presidential-elections/public-funding-presidential-elections/ https://www.fec.gov/introduction-campaign-finance/understand...
lustysocietyorg 8y ago
Clinton and Trump have both been elected by roughly 26% of eligible voters in 2016. https://mises.org/wire/26-percent-eligible-voters-voted-trump https://mises.org/wire/26-percent-eligible-voters-voted-trum... If you do not vote or vote for someone you do not want, your vote is worse than lost. There is much potential for other parties. And while the presidential election is most important regarding war and the rest of the world, other elections for local politicians are important too and maybe even more important for US citizens. Related talk: How To Eliminate The "Spoiler" Vote Phenomenon w/Jill Stein pt. 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgYEFxjJaUg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgYEFxjJaUg
FiveSquared 8y ago
Truth. I like how the young dems are doing in terms of anti-war and pro-privacy stance.
dakna 8y ago
This freakonomics episode treats the major parties as a duopoly and gives some insights how the voting system would need to change: http://freakonomics.com/podcast/politics-industry/ http://freakonomics.com/podcast/politics-industry/ Unfortunately to change the law you need voters who vote for a party that is willing to change it even though it came into power under the current law.

by FabHK 8y ago

dfxm12 8y ago

Even in our current system, after a third party reaches a certain threshold, they qualify for government funding. It's something to think about if you don't like the candidates the major parties are running and thus assume your vote means nothing. Search for "Minor party candidates" here for the specifics: https://www.fec.gov/introduction-campaign-finance/understanding-ways-support-federal-candidates/presidential-elections/public-funding-presidential-elections/ https://www.fec.gov/introduction-campaign-finance/understand...

lustysocietyorg 8y ago

Clinton and Trump have both been elected by roughly 26% of eligible voters in 2016. https://mises.org/wire/26-percent-eligible-voters-voted-trump https://mises.org/wire/26-percent-eligible-voters-voted-trum... If you do not vote or vote for someone you do not want, your vote is worse than lost. There is much potential for other parties. And while the presidential election is most important regarding war and the rest of the world, other elections for local politicians are important too and maybe even more important for US citizens. Related talk: How To Eliminate The "Spoiler" Vote Phenomenon w/Jill Stein pt. 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgYEFxjJaUg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgYEFxjJaUg

FiveSquared 8y ago

Truth. I like how the young dems are doing in terms of anti-war and pro-privacy stance.

dakna 8y ago

This freakonomics episode treats the major parties as a duopoly and gives some insights how the voting system would need to change: http://freakonomics.com/podcast/politics-industry/ http://freakonomics.com/podcast/politics-industry/ Unfortunately to change the law you need voters who vote for a party that is willing to change it even though it came into power under the current law.