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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]What we need is open primaries and ranked choice voting.

A third party under the current system simply can’t prevail and will only split the vote of the more moderate side, increasing the likelihood for the worst candidate to win (which in the current political reality means MAGA).

The structure of closed primaries has a built-in tendency to push party candidates to the extremes.  Republicans choose between those who are somewhat right to far right, while Democrats choose from somewhat left to far left.  As each sides average position gets moved further from the center, moderates are more likely to feel alienated from the party and consider themselves independents.  Unfortunately, closed primaries leave independents without a voice in picking the candidates, forcing them to choose the lesser of two evils in the general election from those candidates nominated by partisans.  Moreover, one of Trump’s biggest levers has been the threat of having any member of Congress who opposed him primaried out.  If independents were able to vote in those primaries, you might have seen a little more bravery from Congress.

Ranked choice voting would allow voters to choose from a field of candidates.  It might also give candidates the freedom to stray from party lines on issues.  Imagine a Republican candidate who was for universal healthcare and gun control, or a Democrat who spoke against the excesses of DEI and was willing to examine their stance on trans issues.

The two parties are so ossified that neither side is really problem-solving, they’re just digging themselves deeper into entrenched positions, prioritizing talking points over practicalities.  This leaves America to flounder between the two sides - never moving forward, just getting tossed back and forth. [/quote]

Of course most American people would support ranked choice voting. The problem is, it would require cooperation from GOP and Dem legislators and administrators on the state and fed levels to make such a significant change to election protocols. Those in power currently have set rules to make it difficult for their power to be challenged and they aren't going to make changes to status quo that bring about unpredictability and uncertainty. [/quote]

+100

The powers that be determine status quo even in a democracy.  There's money in a democracy that's used to get your way - those who don't get that are idiots.  Democracy doesn't exist, not really.  It's only legit in that there's no repercussions for doing what you dii ok but ultimately, your options exists because the powers that be allow those options.

The GOP and Dems have strong backing and do not want scales tipped to allow for someone - actual common folk - to decide who is in charge.  A perfect example is Biden not being allowed to run before Hillary ran.  Party comes before single candidates. Always.

[/quote]

The Constitution established a democratic republic. [/quote]

Our structure of government can accurately be referred to as a representative democracy which can be and once was a very effective government for the people, by the people. The PP correctly pointed out how our current elected representatives are obligated to prioritize the interests of their wealthy donors ahead of the people they were chosen to represent.

The most significant long term political challenge the American people face is the influence of money in politics and government policy. Nothing else is a close second.[/quote]

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