OFF: Politics

[Jerry]

Too many OFFs? I'll send personal e-mail next time...

>> >I really believe we need a third
>> > political party so that everything in our Gov't isn't an
>> > US vs. THEM
It's only twice as good as the one-party system of Russian
socialism :-)

>> The worst thing about US politics (well, one of many, I
guess) is the
>> two-party system.
So many Americans complaining about the policitcal
constitution...

>> I know in Belgium, which is about the size of New
>> Jersey, they have seven political parties
>The reason for this in continental countries is that they
operate a
>system based around proportional representation (i.e you get a
number of
>representatives in proportion to the local or national popular
vote)
>rather than a First Past the Post system as in the US and UK.
Is it because of 'continentality' or non-English speaking?
Coincidence.

>advantage is that it lets small parties achieve some
representation. The
>disadvantages are various. Some systems effectively disengage
>politicians from any local constituency. Some extremist small
parties
>gain representation that they wouldn't otherwise have.
The big idea behind it, is to let government be a
representation of the public opinion.
You mentioned it before, it doesn't evoke a us vs. them
feeling. Also, when discussing issues with people with
different ideas, one might even start to think differently. I
think it is less a sign of failure or weakness to change one's
views here, than it is in a two-party system.

Decisions are
>still made by politicians in backroom deals. More parties mean
more
>backroom deals.
True. Sometimes there's just too much talking. But it also
means showing more interest or care.

>> and near 100% voter
>> participation.  Here, we have two parties and, what 40%?
>> Tells me something!
>You may be right about this.
A vote for a smaller party doesn't mean it's useless to vote at
all. Every vote counts; not to hope your favourite party will
be the winner, but to let government be a representation of the
public's voice.

Jerry