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top 200 commentsshow 500

[–]griffith12 115 points116 points ago

"Let me guess, white devil white devil?"

"Yes! You speak Wachootoo?"

[–]Gerbil1320 18 points19 points ago

Excuse me, your balls are showing Bumblebee tuna!

[–]dgiangiulio228 30 points31 points ago

Thank you Helpy Helperton!

[–]gnomestress 11 points12 points ago

Bumblebee-tuna!

[–]Halsey117 9 points10 points ago

OH-quice-chu-OHcha

[–]factoid_ 9 points10 points ago

E-quin-su oh-cha

[–]The_Dok 7 points8 points ago

Shikaka!

[–]Vypir500 2 points3 points ago

CHiiiiiii...CAAAAA...GO! YOU'RE OUTTA THERE!

[–]AJizzle_19 3 points4 points ago

"It's in the bone! It's in the bone!"

[–]CastawayOnTheMoon 48 points49 points ago

"AAAAAAAAH! inhale AAAAAAAAH!"

[–]VAGINA_BLADES 5 points6 points ago

This is the vid we were all looking for.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hR2uG6jgt4

[–]MrCallahan 0 points1 point ago

holy shit...that channel only has clips from Jim Carrey movies, think I may have to subscribe to this one!

EDIT: wtf, username?

[–]Naserume 48 points49 points ago

It's in the bone!!

[–]BipBopBoop 28 points29 points ago

It's...in...the...booone!

[–]stararrows 3 points4 points ago

[–]TheVenetianMask 4 points5 points ago

Wait, why is Jason Statham showing a boner to an innocent bystander while giving him a rapey stare?

[–]powernut 10 points11 points ago

Jason Statham calls it "Tuesday".

[–]Krags 3 points4 points ago

Because he's taken a massive overdose of epinephrine to keep his heart beating after being injected with a syringe full of synthetic Chinese poison designed to kill him within an hour. Obviously.

[–]colaurelianobuendia 27 points28 points ago

Bumblebee tuna.

[–]sevl 142 points143 points ago

taken this gif, imagine the pains of a 3-party-system...

[–]lord_of_thunder 50 points51 points ago

I'm in Britain, and we have many parties, but 3 main ones... it sucks major donkey balls.

[–]interkin3tic 13 points14 points ago

Whenever Americans talk about the two party system as if it's causing every problem from lobbying to corruption, I wonder what they think the UK is like.

I mean, sure, healthcare, but it's not all happy governance and giggles, right?

India and Mexico too. Wiki tells me they have multiple parties, but from what I've heard, in both places you still have to bribe to even get a driver's license, let alone run for office.

[–]ychromosome 23 points24 points ago

People who complain about the 2-party system in America have no idea just how much a multi-party system can suck. Americans think in a multi-party system, they will have choices that are much different from the Dems and Repubs in some crucial ways such as being beholden to lobbyists and corporate interests. IMO, it's a naive expectation. Politicians are politicians, regardless of what party they belong to.

I am originally from India, and this is what happens in an Indian multi-party system:

  1. In most elections, the votes are distributed so much among the various parties that no one party has enough of a majority to form the government. Usually, the party with the highest seats won tries to stitch up a coalition in conjunction with a few other parties so that together, they have enough seats together to form a majority. Many times, another party which does not have the highest number of seats won can still partner up with a few parties and end up with a majority total. This is called a coalition government.

  2. When the government is formed by multiple parties, it is pulled in multiple directions. It has to take into account multiple ideologies and interests. As a result, there is often deadlock in the functioning of the government and they do not get much done at all. It is a miracle how they manage to get even a little accomplished.

  3. Sometimes, a group of parties lack just a few winning seats to form a majority. Say, 2-5 seats. They manage to convince a small party which has won just 2-5 seats to help them form the government. Now, this small party knows that it has the power to make or break the government. If it pulls out of the government, the ruling coalition will lose the majority and won't be able to rule any more. So, this small party ends up blackmailing the government to get enormous sops in its favor. It becomes a case of the tail wagging the dog. These small parties can hold a whole nation's stability and progress to ransom for their petty demands. This happens way too often.

  4. In a multi-party system, there are often parties which are focused on regional issues. These parties are not really interested in any major national issues. Yet, they field candidates in national-level elections. And since regional parties tend to be popular in their respective regions, many of them end up winning seats in the national-level elections. When major parties want to form a coalition, they end up incorporating these regional parties to make up a majority number. Once again, these regional parties and their narrow interests have disproportionate influence on the functioning of the government. They force the national government to focus on regional issues, at the cost of national issues being abandoned. Can you imagine the political stability of an entire continent-sized nation being threatened by some regional issue that is going on in one individual state?

I am from a multi-party country and I am here to tell you that it is a multi-ring circus. It would be so entertaining, if it did not play such havoc with the country's progress. People in many countries with a multi-party system actually admire the US's two-party system.

Edit: I understand that there are many countries which have a more efficient multi-party system in place. However, I don't know how this will play out in the US. In recent years, the US government has proved itself to be inept at getting things done due to the conflict and gridlock between two parties. I am not confident that this situation will get better in the US if multiple parties participate in these conflicts and gridlocks.

[–]Forwyn 3 points4 points ago

"It has to take into account multiple ideologies and interests"

Any government has to take into account multiple ideologies and interests in order to represent its people. This is why smaller level governments always have the capability of better representing its population. This is also why our system was established to be largely a state-run nation.

[–]gerken 2 points3 points ago

The US has a multi party system. Our other parties just never get any seats / win any elections. Partially due to extreme viewpoints and partially due to the belief that 'Nobody votes third party, so if I vote third party only I am voting third party, thus the third party won't win, thus I've wasted my vote'; which is a self fulfilling prophecy.

Of note; This election Ron Paul was running as a presidential candidate under the Republican banner, but he is a Libertarian. (From what I understand he ran as Republican this time around solely because people are more likely to vote for you, no matter what your views are, if you are in one of the two main stream parties.)

EDIT: As an aside the fact that people see politics as a 'X parties = X choices' or X party vs Y party sickens me. Its an absurd perversion of what is supposed to happen. Vote for the issues and the individual, don't vote for groups or rhetoric.

[–]Badsponge 1 point2 points ago

Politicians are politicians, regardless of what party they belong to.

Amen to the billionth power. I can't understand people who genuinely support either Obama or Romney. They're both oxygen thieves, and America will be screwed either way.

People in many countries with a multi-party system actually admire the US's two-party system.

Huh, didn't know that. Interesting perspective from the outside. Like a neighbor complimenting me on my beautiful lawn, when all I see are weeds.

Just an irrelevant footnote--I believe Gary Johnson is the only sensible choice for president, but he'll get like 9 votes.

[–]thefuckdude 4 points5 points ago

i am from a more developed multi-party country and i can tell you that i would take a multi-party system over a two-party system any day.

just because it sucks in india it doesnt mean that it sucks all around.

[–]llamasauce 1 point2 points ago

Mexico, until about the year 2000, was a one-party system. This is probably the root of their difficulties because, when PRI finally lost their grip on government, the lesser parties had to govern with little experience. The Mexican federal system has existed under a de facto PRI dictatorship for so long that you can't expect it to just stop being corrupt.

Also, the American system is particularly frustrating because both parties are essentially coalitions of different ideologies that don't necessarily function harmoniously. Americans' frustration is that everyone is pulling in different directions but only two outcomes are possible (mostly). You Brits don't have a federal system and all its burdens to contend with--at least, not to the same extent.

[–]zodiaclawl 11 points12 points ago

We have 8 political parties in the Swedish parliament, yet they're only split up into three factions. So we've sort of got a "three choice" system as well, although it's not impossible for smaller parties to actually get seats in the parliament unlike the US.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_of_Sweden#2010_election

When you're voting in Sweden you basically have three choices:

The Alliance (Right centric alliance, currently in power. They don't care too much about the welfare. All that concerns them is lowering the taxes for everyone)

The Red-Greens (Politicians who actually try to protect welfare, but they're naive and think that money grows on trees. They also have a populistic green party that wanted to shut down all nuclear power plants within 5 years after the last election if they were voted into power. Do note that nuclear power stands for about 40% of Sweden's power supply, good fucking luck with that!)

The Sweden Democrats (Stand-alone semi-racist party which focuses mainly on immigration issues. The sad part is that the only reason why they're in the parliament is because the other established parties are ignoring the valid and appropriate questions and problems with the immigration policy of Sweden because they're afraid of publicity problems and potential backlashes for treading on sensitive territory. Political correctness is very established in Sweden and it's easy to get called a racist even if you have absolutely nothing against immigrants but just want to debate the immigration policy.)

So yeah, we're not that much better off in Sweden. A lot of people seem to hold Sweden in very high regard here on Reddit, but we have a lot of issues as well and we're far from being a utopia.

I'm thinking about voting for the red-greens in the next election by the way. I hope they'll try to restore the welfare system to its original state, but they'll likely fuck up the economy while they're at it. So it's basically picking the lesser evil out of the two. FML...

[–]freddiefranks 5 points6 points ago

Hörrdudu, this is a pretty skewed picture of the system. The bits that are relevant to the discussion are true (Sweden does have an effective 3-group parliament), and Sweden definitely has issues to tackle, same as everyone else. But your depiction of the 3 political groups is oversimplified and judgmental.

[–]BleinKottle 24 points25 points ago

Still FPTP though. Blergh.

[–]Joakal 20 points21 points ago

Why did UK say no to replacing FPTP? :(

[–]BleinKottle 31 points32 points ago

Because people are fucking idiots and the Conservatives managed to spin a media campain that voting 'no' to AV would be apt punishment for the Lib Dems reneging on scrapping tuition fees.

[–]432 18 points19 points ago

After my mum voted I asked her what she put and she said no because she didn't understand what was happening and was pressured in by the crazy no campaign

[–]Whodini 14 points15 points ago

Dear lord. Reminds me of when I asked my mom why she voted for the Conservatives a few years ago in the Canadian election. (sort of the republican party of Canada, to over-simplify). Her answer "because we could use a change". She had no idea about any of their policies or anything.

Damn it mom.

[–]Andy284 7 points8 points ago

But they are the Conservative party! Even the name says they are against change!

[–]Hyphnip 3 points4 points ago

Fuck Stephen Harper! I hate him so much and I miss Jack Layton.

[–]ferrospork 3 points4 points ago

I thought that AV would have just made it easy for the Lib Dems to win, as opposed to Tories or Labour? Or was I fed false information?

[–]SkySilver 0 points1 point ago

We have five and it could be worse.

[–]SpeakMouthWords 2 points3 points ago

You can tell someone is from England and Wales, not Scotland or Ireland because they claim we have a 3 party system. Tell that to Alex Salmond.

[–]trefusius 0 points1 point ago

It is a 3 party system in Scotland. I defy you to find a Scottish Tory.

[–]Speculum 2 points3 points ago

What has Ireland to do with Great Britain's political system?

[–]justheretofap 2 points3 points ago

MAJOR DONKEY BALLS REPORTING FOR DUTY!

[–]dmadmin 2 points3 points ago

in Iraq we have 150+ parties. and they all serve one purpose "steal and steal and don't get caught"

[–]manwithnostomach 30 points31 points ago

US elections will be a sham until:

  • third parties have equal ballot and debate access. A number of third parties (Libertarian, Socialist, Green, Constitution, etc..) will force issues unto the main parties that they would never confront on their own.
  • we have run off voting. This would in effect reduce the chance that whoever got elected would be partial to extremism. A Democrat might be running against a Democrat for the position, or a Republican against a Republican. Either way - they will have to appeal to their opponents' parties voters in order to win. This keeps fringe-nutjob ideas off the main stage.
  • our elections are publicly funded (with private donations completely banned and punished by felony)
  • and our votes are cast on machines that have the integrity of at least Vegas slot machines.
  • end the electorate system
  • ban gerrymandering and create a simple national standard states must abide by in regards to voter rights.

[–]ar0cketman 5 points6 points ago

Parent post is insightful and presents an achievable plan. Needs more upvotes.

[–]Joakal 3 points4 points ago

What's a 3-party system? Is it a FPTP system where some areas have different choices of two likely winners?

[–]garion046 3 points4 points ago

I don't know for sure, but I think if one party doesn't reach enough votes by itself, then a coalition is formed between the two parties most happy to work together. This happened last time the UK had an election, and it seemed to largely involve the two leading party leaders warmly smiling at Nick Clegg (leader of 3rd party) for extended periods of time. Gordon Brown does not have a warm smile. David Cameron has a marginally less frosty one.

[–]Endemoniada 2 points3 points ago

Or what about 7, with you being a supporter of the 8th party...

That's me, right now. The difference is that even the 8th, non-government party is frequently heard in the media, and does affect policy in some ways. With two giant, monolithic parties, any other voices get completely drowned out, but when many different parties have to share the same channels of communication, even less strong voices can sneak in a word or two.

[–]spamfiltered 2 points3 points ago

It seems as though we have a 4 party system in the current elections:

The Repubs & Dems obviously, but also Jill Stein for Green party and Gary Johnson for Libertarians.

Ideally, since the Green and Dems are more or less "left wing" and the Libs and Repubs are more or less "right wing," a vote cast for one of the losing parties should be counted in the final tally as a vote for the winning party on the same side of the political spectrum. That way no one has to feel that their vote is being thrown away voting for a 3rd or 4th party.

[–]selectyour 3 points4 points ago

Well, if it was the Libertarian Party as the 3rd one, I wouldn't see any pain.

[–]xblindguardianx 10 points11 points ago

Bumble Bee tuna..

[–]Halsey117 3 points4 points ago

Your balls are showing.. Bumble Bee Tuna

[–]nadams810 73 points74 points ago

I think Lewis Black summed up our political system very nicely:

The only thing dumber than a Democrat or a Republican is when those pricks work together. You see, in our two-party system, the Democrats are the party of no ideas and the Republicans are the party of bad ideas. It usually goes something like this. A Republican will stand up in Congress and say, "I've got a really bad idea." And a Democrat will immediately jump to his feet and declare, "And I can make it shittier."

( http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Lewis_Black )

[–]wheest 4 points5 points ago

I believe he once said it's like "choosing between two bowls of shit".

[–]ajkido 25 points26 points ago

DAE feel like this view is the exact opposite of reality especially in this presidential campaign? To me it seems like Republicans have no concrete ideas and Democrats do. Also, when the Democrats propose a good idea (bill) it must be made way shittier for Republicans to even consider voting yes. Example: the great idea of universal health care must be turned into individual mandate bullshit to cater to the insurance companies, i.e. rich friends of Republicans.

[–]jsmith84 11 points12 points ago

the great idea of universal health care

I'm not sure how universal health care is a great idea until somebody tells me how exactly we would pay for it.

[–]RockBlock 25 points26 points ago

Uhm... Taxes? Like all the other countries that have it? You can still pay a bit more taxes, you guys have pretty low rates already.

Or deduct a little from the military maybe.

[–]jas1290 7 points8 points ago

i wish someone would please slash our defense budget its preposterous

[–]iamonlykidding 7 points8 points ago

With a .9% tax.

[–]Kazang 12 points13 points ago

Worth noting also that it would be less than what people currently pay for health insurance by a significant margin.

[–]MustafaMarx 6 points7 points ago

Don't play dumb. Look at the many options other countries have implemented. It works and yes you do have to pay taxes.

[–]Psionic_Flash 5 points6 points ago

Maybe by taken it from your ridiculous war budgets.

[–]knoxlax48 3 points4 points ago

Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden

[–]iLikeToBeAnArsehole 2 points3 points ago

I wish our two parties actually worked together and truly listened to each other instead of fighting for power and holding their hands over their ears. How glorious it would be if the main goal of the campaign (and its candidates) were to truly pick the best representative of the people, and not one of mudslinging banter and petty fact-empty squabbles.

[–]TappedOut 6 points7 points ago

Unfortunately when our two parties work together, we get such bipartisan successes as the Patriot Act and the NDAA. Warrantless wiretaps and indefinite detention for all!

[–]mickhugh 7 points8 points ago

The Two Party System: Twice as good as the One Party System.

[–]corruthers 6 points7 points ago

White Devil say "I will harm you."

[–]Thundernut 38 points39 points ago

Oh you took an arrow to the knee? Jim Carrey took two to the quads before it was a thing.

Edit: apostrophe removal for a nazi

[–]Gr8WhiteGrammarNazi 74 points75 points ago

GET THAT MOTHERFUCKING APOSTROPHE OUT OF HERE!

[–]grammar_connoisseur 17 points18 points ago

I like you.

[–]Omnishambles_1 7 points8 points ago

  grammar_connoisseur  

ಠ_ಠ ........↑

[–]grammar_connoisseur 1 point2 points ago

ಠ_ಠ ಠ_ಠ ಠ_ಠ ಠ_ಠ ಠ_ಠ ಠ_ಠ ಠ_ಠ

[–]keper 4 points5 points ago

I like to think everyone is so angry on reddit when they correct punctuation mistakes.

[–]sknabc 51 points52 points ago

GARY JOHNSON 2012!!

[–]The_Dok 7 points8 points ago

No, let's vote Obama and then bitch and moan about how he didn't keep his promises.

[–]unusedalias 1 point2 points ago

Still better than voting third party and ending up with Romney.

[–]kindofabigdyl 2 points3 points ago

Gary Johnson wants to enact a tax policy that is based off of how much money you spend. A giant federal sales tax. Rich people are rich because they save most of their money. This is a horrible idea. He wants to end the department of education. Also a horrible idea. End stimulus programs? Horrible idea. Repeal the health care plan? HORRIBLE FUCKING IDEA.

This is a direct quote off of his website.

Fewer government mandates and less regulation will allow innovation and competition to make health care more affordable and more accessible to all Americans.

I guess you want pre-existing conditions to come back. You want insurance companies having free reign over health care unchecked? Treating us like assets and losses?

Government spending isn't the reason the economy is bad. If you don't want the government interfering with the economy then DON'T WRECK THE ECONOMY. We wrecked it. We all did. We elected bush for 8 years. We elected this congress. We bought ARMs, and other shit we couldn't afford. Our banks fucked our assholes raw because we didn't read the fine print, and THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT wasn't there to protect us. Because WE ELECTED THE PEOPLE WHO DEREGULATED BANKING. So you really want to find out what happens when you starve federalism? Then yeah, vote for Gary Johnson. Do it. I double dog dare you motherfucker.

[–]welcometooceania 1 point2 points ago

Looks like the Department of Education did a good job on this one o_O

[–]welcometooceania 14 points15 points ago

At least Gary Johnson would let you smoke a joint for the pain.

[–]Pups_the_Jew 5 points6 points ago

Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right...

[–]Thesteelwolf 5 points6 points ago

I have an idea, let's all vote for an independent candidate!

[–]dollerz 4 points5 points ago

Well, I believe I'll vote for a third party!

[–]Grachuus 2 points3 points ago

If you don't like it vote for someone not of either party. The fact that your candidate will not win is irrelevant to the voting process. If 5% of people who don't vote now vote for someone with a significantly different platform it can encourage change.

[–]Lemonwizard 7 points8 points ago

You know, for all the hate I give to the 2 party system, I will concede that it is much better than a 1 party system.

[–]EzekielBread 22 points23 points ago

We have the illusion of a two party system, when in reality 95% of our representatives are scumbags working for the same team. In the words of the great George Carlin: "I'd like to talk about some things that bring us together. Things that point out our similarities instead of our differences, cause thats all you ever hear about in this country is our differences. Thats all the media and the politicians are ever talking about, the things that separate us, things that make us different from one another. Thats the way the ruling class operates in any society. They try to divide the rest of the people. They keep the lower and the middle classes fighting with each other so that they the rich, can run off with all the fucking money. Fairly simple thing. Happens to work. You know, anything different, thats what they gonna talk about. Race, religion, ethnic and national backgrounds, jobs, income, education, social status, sexuality. Anything they can do, keep us fighting with each other so that they can keep going to the bank. You know how I describe the economic and social classes in this country? The upper class keeps all of the money, pays none of the taxes. The middle class pays all of the taxes, does all of the work. The poor are there just to scare the shit out of the middle class. Keep them showing up at those jobs."

[–]canada_dryness 8 points9 points ago

Vote for Gary Johnson then.

[–]The_Dipster 1 point2 points ago

My favourite Jim Carey movie!

[–]DrMustache 5 points6 points ago

Which is why I'll be voting for Gary Johnson.

[–]Benderillo 11 points12 points ago

At least you have one choice more over dictatorship.

[–]gunch 21 points22 points ago

Yes. We get to choose which dictator strips us of our rights.

That's comforting.

[–]whoisthisasshole 2 points3 points ago

What rights have you lost exactly? I'm not being facetious, I'd just like to know how you feel you're being oppressed.

[–]gunch 3 points4 points ago

Let's start with the right to freedom of speech and assembly and Orwellian "Free speech zones." Or perhps the right to face your accusers which no longer applies if the government decides you're a terrorist, to say nothing of your right to an actual trial.

Moving right along to your right to privacy as outlined by the 4th ammendment - Law Enforcement authorities may now conduct secret searches and wiretaps in your home or office without showing “probable cause.” They need only to claim that intelligence gathering is “a significant purpose” of their intrusion, even when the primary goal is ordinary law enforcement. They may also monitor where and to whom you send and receive e-mail, or where you go on the Internet, recording every e-mail address and website you have been in contact with.

How about the fact that conversations between attorneys and clients held in federal jail may now be monitored?

The right to not be cruelly or unusually punished is now gone. American citizens can be labelled terrorists and sent into solitary confinement, a condition that every single medical organization has decried as detrimental to the psychological wellbeing past the point of being torture, for months without a speedy trial (another right stripped within my lifetime).

[–]quantumpsych 6 points7 points ago

Cthulhu 2012.

[–]ar0cketman 5 points6 points ago

Why choose the lesser of two evils?

[–]dirtmerchant1980 1 point2 points ago

the party system is why i dont vote. and fuck whoever is first to chime in about that meaning i have no right to complain. the right to complain is god-given. In this country (US) if you like guns, and weed, dont like abortion, or war, you are seriously fucked. i refuse to keep on choosing between shit sandwhich and giant douche for the rest of my life like all the other sheeople. I choose to not give a fuck, a political policy that resolves all conflicts. just set up a lawnchair on the front yard with me and watch the empire crumble.

[–]Iamabassi 2 points3 points ago

I think that you're thinking of the "winner take all system." More than two parties can run in an election. Just remember Nader.

[–]dgiangiulio228 2 points3 points ago

Vote Turd Sandwich.

"We got spirit yes we do, we are sandwiches made of poo!"

[–]kawledgeisossum 2 points3 points ago

Is it any surprise that the country that spawned WalMart only has two basic brands of politics?

You can have the RED people, or the BLUE people. Yay! You like pretty colors! Now pick one and then we can go to McDonalds!

[–]Xandrion 0 points1 point ago

I used to be a politician like you once, but then.... ducks in cover

[–]four24ever 2 points3 points ago

What movie is this from? I love Jim carrey!

[–]whatfellfromthemoon 2 points3 points ago

"Nearly every election since the beginning of time has been between some douche and some turd. They're the only people who suck up enough to make it that far in politics.” South Park has sculpted my cynical view of...well pretty much everything

[–]JohnathanCarter 2 points3 points ago

Supposedly we have a multiparty system.......(insert emoticon)

[–]JxSxK0420 2 points3 points ago

This years election feels like I'm in prison and I have to choose which guy rapes me. Either way I end up getting raped.

[–]cosmo120 2 points3 points ago

I used to think that American democracy worked....then I took an arrow to the knee.

[–]White_Luigi 1 point2 points ago

I was fully expecting two of the useless machines facing each other.

[–]Dresden_skyline 2 points3 points ago

The US is really a one party state.

[–]Davos10 2 points3 points ago

Libertarian, you should become.

[–]kung_kamo 0 points1 point ago

I had to sign in just to upvote this posts. Fuckin' funny!

[–]kenfrog 2 points3 points ago

Before I found Gary Johnson, it felt like choosing between a Giant Douche and a Turd Sandwich.

[–]zadigger 6 points7 points ago

Upvote for Jim Carrey.

[–]like9mexicans 3 points4 points ago

Could be worse, yes, but the two party system perpetuates the core issues with our country.

I'm not a Ron Paul fanatic, but the fact that the one person who brought new ideas to the table couldn't even garner double digits in most primaries shows how far off we (as a country) are from accepting ideas that stray from the Democratic left or Republican right.

[–]GonnaDoBest 0 points1 point ago

Seeing this gif reminds me how ace is still an adventurer after taking two arrows to two knees. Ace is the man.

[–]JBenzy670 3 points4 points ago

I came to look for this reference despite the arrows not being in his knee. I was not disappointed.

[–]The_Legend_ -1 points0 points ago

It's a forced 2 party system, and both parties suck. Try Libertarian, we even got a reddit page: http://www.reddit.com/r/Libertarian/

[–]inoffensive1 11 points12 points ago

It's forced by math, and by the designs of our founders. Opening the system up to give third parties a reasonable chance requires working through the existing parties to reform our electoral process. Doing anything else first is ignoring the solution to make attacking the problem look better.

[–]palanoid 7 points8 points ago

Exactly. If you want to change things, you must have strategy of how to proceed:

  1. make the reform of electoral process an issue every candidate is asked about, and must have opinion.
  2. vote candidates who support reform.
  3. have electoral reform.

There is federal law that forces states to select house of representatives using single member districts and plurality vote. If that law can be overturned, it becomes issue within states. Once you get even 1-2 states to adopt more democratic representation in the house, third party voices are instantly heard nation wide. This creates more public pressure for other states to join.

[–]inoffensive1 4 points5 points ago

This. A thousand times this. I want this on posters and billboards across the land. The nation needs to know why this is a problem and that this is how to fix it.

[–]benalene 3 points4 points ago

The biggest problem is not the parties but the voting system. Don't get me wrong, I am a huge Johnson fan, but he really needs to address the horrible voting system we have, FPTP.

[–]Joakal 11 points12 points ago

Libertarian Party does not support electoral reform. Only the Green Party does, and that's towards STV. If you do find them supporting replacing FPTP, let me know so I can tell others!

Did you know Obama doesn't give a shit about the Internet because Hollywood funds him?

But yes, I'd make it a priority to support electoral reform because of so many pitfalls.

[–]benalene 3 points4 points ago

I support Johnson, but one of my main beefs is that he has said nothing about electoral reform. That is the biggest problem with the system right now.

[–]waffle_ss 3 points4 points ago

I like most of the Green Party's ideas but Jill Stein's flat-out rejection of nuclear power in favor of only renewables is a big turn-off for me. She is severely misinformed.

[–]RageCap 4 points5 points ago

Pretty sure the Greens want to get rid of the electoral college.

If the Green party got their reform you country would have to split in two.

Why? Because the electoral college makes sure you don't have 50 states being run entirely by 3.

While I think it's stupid that they don't support reform I would love to lobby the libertarian party into keeping the electoral college but introduce preferential voting.

[–]RedGoatSurprise 2 points3 points ago

Because that's what we need, instead of multinational corporations controlling the government, we can just let multinational corporations control the country directly! Cut out the middle man, much more efficient.

[–]OmegaSeven 6 points7 points ago

I really wish that the Libertarians and Greens both could get their heads out of their asses and start trying to build a party from the bottom up and not the top down.

A third party president is just as useless with the same old red/blue split Congress.

This is a bit of a separate matter but I also get concerned with what kinds of judges a Libertarian would appoint considering how badly we already get screwed by the recent batch so called 'literalists' and 'constructionists' who turn out to simply be partisans.

[–]Joakal 3 points4 points ago

Green Party have a list of reforms: http://www.gp.org/committees/platform/2012/democracy.php#316100 Including one important one; replacing FPTP.

[–]OmegaSeven 7 points8 points ago

Good luck doing any of that if all they ever run for is President.

I like a lot of things in the Green party platform I really do but living in a swing state sort of compels me to vote Obama if for no other reason than to deny Romney the presidency.

[–]Joakal 5 points6 points ago

What you're doing is tactical voting, where you don't vote for your ideal candidate but for lesser evil candidate. I understand and respect your choice. Sorry, mate.

[–]DrDragun 2 points3 points ago

Why do you say it is forced? Because of the voting system where the winner takes all for each district?

A two-party system is a natural result of this voting system by Duverger's Law. To prevent it would require a more complicated form of vote scoring.

The 1992 and 2000 US Presidential elections were won by third parties edging in. Conservatives voting for Ross Perot in 1992 or liberals voting Green Party in Florida in 2000 ended up putting the complete opposite ideology in power those years by splitting the vote. This is why the system naturally reduces to 2 players.

[–]TheDudeWhoKnocks 2 points3 points ago

Unless of course you're not a conservative (I'm just trying to add to your post, not hating)

/r/greenparty <- Largest progressive third party

[–]gmick 3 points4 points ago

I don't like the 2 party system, but fuck libertarianism. I'd be all for a proportional government, but there's no need to push crazy ideologues on the people.

[–]mehdbc 1 point2 points ago

That's not an option for non-whites or poor people.

[–]RHodeidra 2 points3 points ago

This is the greatest way I've seen it explained.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points ago

[–]thunderpuddin -3 points-2 points ago

False equivalency. They way things are these days, the GOP is a poison arrow to the knee and the Dems are charlie horse.

[–]BarksdaleBell 10 points11 points ago

On every single issue? Or are we just going to talk in r/politics generalities?

[–]butth0lez 10 points11 points ago

And Gary Johnson is the smooth oil lotion.

[–]cafeclimber 0 points1 point ago

You are correct, sir!

[–]ingramar 2 points3 points ago

except they stock that lotion on the bottom shelf, out of plain sight

[–]dudeface_man 0 points1 point ago

Over in New Zealand we picked the Nazi Party system MMP

[–]RageCap -1 points0 points ago

Australian here, our 2 second largest parties formed into a coalition against the largest party!

DEFACTO 2 PARTY SYSTEM WOOO.

;_;

[–]lumpy1981 0 points1 point ago

I think you just keep adding arrows for more parties. I think the main issue is politics. The people who should be running things aren't people that would ever want to get into politics.

[–]dgiangiulio228 1 point2 points ago

AAAHHHHHHH! Is deffinatly a better choice than AAAUUUHHHHHH?! If you ask me

[–]Henkkaaaaa 1 point2 points ago

The multiple party system still sucks because even thogh there are multiple candidates you still "have to" vote for the big ones because the smaller ones might not make it and you don't want the douchier on of the big two to win so you vote for the little nicer douchebag.

[–]Luhmanniac 1 point2 points ago

That is one of my all time favorite Jim Carrey moments

[–]Chocolate_Horlicks -1 points0 points ago

Trust me you guys are better off than India: 52 political parties

[–]BBrow 0 points1 point ago

I don't always up-vote Ace Ventura references, oh wait...yes I do.

[–]LurkerTriumphant -2 points-1 points ago

Imagine the pains of a multiparty system.

"Party X wins with 15% plurality."

[–]BabaDuda 0 points1 point ago

At least it's a legitimate 2-party political system.

Just look at Singapore, quite a few parties but only one in power since our independence.

And I bet you guys don't have a 'Minister Mentor'.

OH I'M SORRY MR LEE I DIDN'T MEAN TO BLASPHEME

[–]FusionAmoeba -1 points0 points ago

In Canada we have many parties. Imagine 2 or 3 more arrows...

[–]sir5ur 0 points1 point ago

what does that mean for the middle?

[–]bulkygorilla 0 points1 point ago

go slinky go!

[–]Matt5327 1 point2 points ago

And that's why we have /r/thirdpartyroundtable :D

[–]TheLastModerate 0 points1 point ago

IT HIT THE BONE! IT HIT THE BONE!

[–]thisSNisfortrolling 1 point2 points ago

At least one arrow is no longer a preexisting condition

[–]RP_Thead 0 points1 point ago

Really hoping for a Finkle is Einhorn moment sometime in late October with, let's say, Paul Ryan.

[–]Jordanacus 0 points1 point ago

That's how I feel when motherfuckers don't use hyphens.

[–]Pinkfoodstamp 0 points1 point ago

Nonsense, poopy pants!

[–]HappyGlucklichJr 0 points1 point ago

If we had say three major parties then two of them would form a coalition and nominate just one candidate. Which two may depend on political skills is my guess. One way around it, that is maintain more than two separate major parties, would be some version of Approval Voting.

[–]playaslaya31 0 points1 point ago

Like a fucking arrow to the knee.

[–]vivamiazapata 1 point2 points ago

Duverger's Law in action.

[–]ilovekendell 1 point2 points ago

Jill Stein

[–]nowsouless 0 points1 point ago

why does he look like wolverine?

[–]Vodiodoh 0 points1 point ago

It's in the bone! It's in the bone!

[–]jetsintl420 0 points1 point ago

Best. Ever.

[–]Rocker2791 1 point2 points ago

I'm not as up on politics and government as I should be, so I'll just ask:

Why not disband all parties and have a no party system? Granted you can take away the title of the group, but many people will remain steadfast to keeping the group alive. Regardless, wouldn't it be easier if everyone voted how they wanted instead of having to choose between two arrows of seemingly equal magnitude in the thigh (so to speak)?

If someone gives me a logical answer that incorporates the word, "banana," it would be thoroughly admirable and appreciated.

[–]zurkyburky 0 points1 point ago

is that wolverine

[–]radrico 1 point2 points ago

Weird. I put a picture of the Harlem Globetrotters and said "This is what this years presidential election is going to be like for Obama." It was removed cuz it was about politics. o.O

[–]dawgfan_mike 1 point2 points ago

Bumblebee Tuna

[–]naithemilkman -1 points0 points ago

So a multi party system will essentially kill all the voters due to their political bickering resulting in NATO (No Action Talk Only). Brilliant.

[–]sutingnewt -1 points0 points ago

Democrats need to make up there minds

[–]ocius_validus 0 points1 point ago

still, its better than a one party system where all thoughts that aren't the norm get squashed

[–]sometimesijustdont -1 points0 points ago

Simpsons did it.

[–]pwlorraine 1 point2 points ago

Multi-party systems can be very successful - Canada is a prime example. With more than two parties, minority governments can occur and coalitions become necessary. The country winds up being governed from the center rather than from the idealogical extremes - which is what most people want. I think the big issue here (USA) though is the amount of money involved, rather than the number of parties.

[–]whoisthisasshole 0 points1 point ago

I'd really like an explanation as to the iron clad notion that a third party absolutely WOULDN'T fall victim to the same maladies that many have come to believe that have plagued the current parties. The only thing that has changed in my opinion is just that, opinion. As long as we're going to keep being cynical about our government I may as well suggest that third party proponents see how lucrative government has become for the current parties and they just want their cookies too.

Frankly I don't think we're holding up our end of the bargain. I mean seriously, what do we actually know about how any of it works? And we've become people who'll line up around the block to plunk down hundreds for the 5th iteration of a phone we already fucking have, but won't bother to follow or vote in local elections which have far more of an impact on us.

[–]griffith12 1 point2 points ago

"Chief says you make him laugh! You are like sissy girl!"

[–]votenein2012 0 points1 point ago

[–]phailsafe 0 points1 point ago

I was going to vote, but then....

[–]Monkey_Economist 0 points1 point ago

Don't complain. In Belgium there are six governments (seven Parliaments!) and twelve political parties (there are others, but they are very small).

[–]ZeprinceAbura 0 points1 point ago

Arrow to THA KNEE!!!!

[–]whyunoname 1 point2 points ago

TTT! I've always hated this concept. Both parties win regardless of the outcome. We, the people, lose. I wish an independent actually had a chance, and if they made it congress would work with them.

[–]supermegachaos 0 points1 point ago

he used to belong to one party then he took an arrow to the knee.

[–]highd3 -1 points0 points ago

It feels like bigim, I know...

[–]Sophocles 0 points1 point ago

It's like having America vote on two TV shows. There is so much great TV out there, but if you had to boil it down to the two most popular shows, it would be Two And A Half Men vs. American Idol, and everyone would be wondering why TV sucks so bad.

[–]whazzzaa 0 points1 point ago

i guess you could call it two arrows, one in each knee

[–]kobaland 1 point2 points ago

[–]PokemasterTT 0 points1 point ago

In Czechia we have usually 5 or 6 parties in our parliament(3 have been there since independence and last election 2 new parties made it there, got 65 seats out of 200 and became the ruling parties. Also in presidential election, the most popular candidate is independent.

[–]Lay-Z-Bones 0 points1 point ago

Two arrows?! Now i cant even be a guard!

[–]dsmelser 0 points1 point ago

Republicans should definitely vote third party.

[–]swallow_animal_semen 1 point2 points ago

Two arrows to the knee? XD

[–]aged_monkey 0 points1 point ago

[–]life_is_short 0 points1 point ago

[–]Danny_Bomber 1 point2 points ago

Two arrows in the knee? Oooh thats gotta hurt.

[–]Talbotus 1 point2 points ago

I don't know why people vote for parties. It gets us into problems like only having 2 assholes to choose from. why can't we vote for the most competent person running in our own opinion. Screw this lesser of two evils bull shit.