ever?

only if its someone who is larger than life...i dont think i will ever see it in my lifetime. the system doesnt allow it. they would need a majority of electoral votes - if they dont the house would never give it to them even if they got a plural majority.

I think over the years, both major parties have actually worked together to ensure that third parties are not a possibility. Even if one of the two is not technically "in charge", they'll still get loads of donations by virtue of the fact that they're the only option for those who disagree with the "in" party.

So in short, I don't think it'll ever go away. People fear throwing away their votes on a third party, so they'll continue to vote for a major party candidate, thereby perpetuating the two-party system.

I like the system where you vote for your top three candidates in order, and if no candidate has a majority, eliminate the bottom candidates and move the votes of the people who voted for those candidates to their next choice. But this'll never happen, because the Republicans and Democrats will never allow it.

Your better hope is for someone to subvert one of the two major parties and create major changes that way. It doesn't happen too often, but it has happened several times in US history.

Never.

It's all about money. Democrats have 49.9% of the money. Republicans have 49.9% of the money. Third parties collectively have the remaining 0.2%, and that's being generous.

Probably won't happen without some legislation making it easier for third party candidates to run a campaign. And the system is set up so third party candidates scarcely even get a chance to get their message out there. Like you need a certain amount of votes in a previous election to get in a debate, but how can you get votes if they dont let you debate the rest of the candidates? The whole two party system is fucked, it assumes that at the core of every problem there is only 2 possible solutions. A democrat solution and a republican solution. I'm sure there are a shitload of ways to look at every issue out there that we dont even get a chance to consider.

Maybe when the antichrist comes to take over the world...I just dont see the antichrist as being a republican or a democrat. Well, that's if he is even American. I sure hope he is though.

I don't think a third party will ever stand a real chance. The two party system in this country has been carefully and systematically designed over the years to keep the same general group of people in power indefinitely. Republican, Democrat. It doesn't really matter when it comes down to it. Deep down they all stand for the same general establishment, and those who hold the real power in this world will never let a true independent voice stand up and pose a real threat to the establishment.

*leader of the UN

Until the voting system is changed to proportional representation, that is common in many European countries, by the two oligarchic parties that are in charge now, it won't happen. Both sides know its much easier to fight one party than to fight many parties.

The thing is, both parties have factions that are constantly fighting for control of each. There is FAR more variety amongst the Dems and Repubs than in any of the smaller European parties. Really they can be compared more closely with the coalitions that form in Euro Parliaments than the actual parties.

I agree.

And ackyman's cynical "both parties are just establishment" argument is exactly what led to the "election" of George W. Bush in 2000. It's a load of crap. Neither party is perfect, but they are VERY different.

Do you think 4 years of McCain would be much different from 4 years of Hillary? I know they have some differing views but do you think the end result of a 4 year term from either candidate would differ significantly from the other?

They are very different, but both are definitely part of the establishment.

You always have to find some kind of fault with what I say. Come on PD, I didn't even throw in any major conspiracy theory stuff this time and you still think what I'm saying is a "load of crap." Oh well, guess I can't win 'round these parts no matter what.

In the particular case of Hillary and McCain, there would probably be the least difference between any pair of candidates from teh two parties. I do think it would be a major difference though. Hillary will sign Democratic initiatives from teh Congress and McCain will veto a lot more, for one thing. Hillary also probably won't die in her first term.

I'm trying to spread the "McCain is going to die before 2012" meme right now. Thank you for your support.

As a canadian and a liberal I end up seeing very few differences between the two parties. Canada doesn't have a perfect system, we desperately need some form of proptional representation. Most Canadians i know have alot of interest in the results of this election. but even the most "liberal" democrat is basically more conservative than most of the conservative party we have here in a minority government. That leads to most people from outside the US anyways, as viewing both parties as the same. Both are going to elect a "god fearing christians", both are going to defend "free market" traditions anmyths, both are going to elect someone who wants tax cuts in some form, both are going to continue operations in iraq regardless of what is said.

Perot had a decent run.

Christ, Darrin. Just use your old account.