markptjan
1102
58
10
Write to Congress and demand these things
The United States of America deserves better than a two-party system rife with unlimited corporate contributions, gerrymandering, and FPTP voting to bolster them. Want a third party choice? Here's how to make that viable.
WebMaka
It'll take some sort of hard reset to change the way America runs itself, and there aren't too many paths to this that aren't unpleasant.
Pullout69
We're voting to overturn citizens united in WA. If 3rds can get minor party status they can get more funding next election.
goonzilla
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7tWHJfhiyo
Extrava
Tiny problem; the people in power will be reluctant to alter the system that put them in power.
JerodH
STV is better than proportional voting
markptjan
STV is a type of proportional representative voting so it applies.
AgainstMethod
Why Proportional representation instead of instant runoff voting? Doesn't it not allow you to vote for an individual representative?
markptjan
Could also be good. But PR is a whole family of systems so it creates a larger discussion, which can include IRV.
xninex
If you look at countries with multiple parties they are not models of efficiency and fairness either so don't think the grass is greener
markptjan
Still better than what America has. "Efficiency" is also overrated.
xninex
I'm not so sure. They end up having to form huge multiparty blocs to get anything done
markptjan
Consequence of more varied power, but also means politics are less homogenous and volatile.
kozmo403
First, vote in people sympathetic to this. Next, get states to not require the 3rd party file paperwork in that state to be counted.
cas86
No politician will ever vote against the system that brought them to power
markptjan
Many have though. Politicians aren't a monolith and often vote for electoral reform, especially if it earns them popular support.
WebMaka
American politics is a system that will never be changed in any meaningful way that benefits citizens, from within itself.
markptjan
Got a substantiation for that?
WebMaka
An understanding of human nature as regards power/authority over your "lessers."
markptjan
Not substantial. Electoral reform has happened in many countries to the benefit of their society. For example, Sweden, 28 times since 1945.
ZaphodBbx
I want no contributions except from actual constituents. No national money in regional elections, no corps....actual constituents only.
JackDoodle
I wish the reply system would just auto break up long posts and order them correctly.
markptjan
Gets hairy with constitutional interpretation. But a cap is how other countries control this problem. Canada uses a $3K cap, for example.
[deleted]
[deleted]
JackDoodle
Agreed, however I don't agree with your assumption that businesses aren't constituents. Then again with your definition neither are felons
JackDoodle
Anyone else, in the same election. But your right limit it to actual concerned parties only, in other words the constituents of the race.
[deleted]
[deleted]
[deleted]
[deleted]
JackDoodle
There are other ways to vote than with ballots, and concerns that need addressed whether the voting populous is aware of them or not ergo
JackDoodle
I whole heartedly agree with the idea that local elections should be locally funded. In fact I think local elections should not even have
JackDoodle
Will become the new special interest groups of smaller elections. So caps yes and business contributions yes but with the same caps, and
JackDoodle
Party affiliation for the candidates, these people are often only deciding what street gets paved first, who cares what party they are.
JackDoodle
The corps do need a voice, but it should be limited in size and equal to what wealthy individuals are allowed to spend. Else the wealthy
JackDoodle
Fact is, if the corporation is doing business or is based in an area it is a constituent and should be allowed an "equal" contribution as
ZaphodBbx
Constituent: being a voting member of a community or organization and having the power to appoint or elect. -- A corp does not fit this...
ZaphodBbx
I can't insist that we agree on this, but I think I'm presenting a decent definition of representative government. It's about people.
ZaphodBbx
Workers, shareholders, etc. each get their own vote in their applicable local/regional/national elections. That's a reasonable scope.
JackDoodle
And businesses fall into your shareholders category, the only issue now with letting them donate now is the lack of caps and knowledge about
JackDoodle
Is backing who with how much money, I agree that they get too much of a voice today but that is no reason to deny them an "equal" voice.