US Needs Proportional Representation in Government

[Alive]

The US has a huge problem how you can really only vote for one of two parties and then its a first past the post result where the winner takes too much power, and the two parties are too similar anyway (two parties vs one party = twice as good as communism ?).

It would be much better to have proportional representation, where a diverse range of representatives would be elected, rather than the two party mono-culture the US has now. Then hopefully it would be harder for so much stupidity - like starting wars, having raw milk agents, fighting medicinal cannabis, and closing down paleo blogs - to be initiated.

I guess they could continue to be just as hypocritical though, continuing cannabis being illegal due to it having no medicinal value, while at the same time they are patenting some of the cannabinoids for their medicinal properties!

In NZ we have Multi-Member Proportional representation (MMP), which has allowed the Green party to get 14 seats out of 120. We just need to get rid of the National Party (on the right like the Republicans) as they are a bunch of dicks who have given $2B in tax cuts to the rich, increased tax for everyone else, introduced standardised school testing ('National Standards' - our reply is that you don't fatten the pig by weighing it), internet copyrights, anti-raw food standards etc....

[raw-al]

I hear ya!

Not likely to happen here in Canada, but there is a little bit of talk about it. You are right about it being fairer.

When the US started, the founding fathers vehemently argued against the party system for the reasons you mentioned, having watched it in England where they had left it behind, but eventually it morphed into place.

Canada has always had the party system, since it's inception in 1867.

[ys]

you are oversimplifying it by a mile.  US has full spectrum of representatives.  from socialist senator Sanders to libertarian Paul.  and everyone else in between.  except greens and other utopian colors such as reds, browns, etc.

a lot of politicians do not adhere to party line vote.

[sabertooth]

I don't feel that there is fair representation. Here in Kentucky we are one of the worst run states in the country. Our state budget is owned by chase bank, and much of the money spent is wasted. The news papers and other mainstream media outlets cover up almost entirely the cronyism and corruption at the local level.  Independent candidates for office cant even get their names mentioned in the local paper or on TV. The governor refused to debate the independent candidate in the last election.


The legalization of industrial hemp and medical marijuana would create a financial boom for our state , and yet its not being done. Outside forces still dictate what can be done with our local resources.

[CitrusHigh]

Well actually we have the technology now for one vote per person on any issue, there really is no excuse for politicians anymore, EXCEPT to keep the status quo.

I mean if this is truly a democratic republic, it doesn't get more democratic than one vote per adult. Those who chose not to vote would simply miss  out on having a direct impact on policy.

[Raw Kyle]

How's that working out in Europe?

[TylerDurden]

How's that working out in Europe?

Wonderfully, in those countries that practise PR. For example, Italy is forced to allow tiny parties to have seats, so the 2 party system is wrecked as a result, and so the Italians are able to vote in people like Berlusconi into power due to coalition-agreements between parties. Countries that don't practise PR end up with 2 parties always in power, with nasty results occurring as a result - for example, Austria still has a corrupt system whereby it is extremely difficult to get a top job unless you are a member of the Socialist or Conservative Party.