I know there are a bunch of minor parties out there... Perhaps, we (or I) should look them up when time is available..and maybe post links to their official websites.. or something along those lines. Maybe some of them might have good ideas for improving our government...

Hevusa should join this topic.

I think it would definately be more interesting and fair if we had lets say 5, or even 10 candidates for presidency on our ballot instead of 3 (technically 2).

-The media probably wouldn't favor any of these candidates positions to the extreme...as we see today.

-Debates would be more interesting.

-Maybe less protesting?

I don't know; But those are my thoughts.

Thanks RidinHighSpeeds.

3rd parties in this country do not get their voices heard. I think the process by which we elect our officials was set up, very intentionally, to centralize power between two parties. This can be seen very literally by the fact that 3rd parties have not won a single Electoral vote in over thirty years. The last time was in 1968 when George Wallace won 46 electoral votes. This should outrage every citizen interested in a true democracy, regardless of what party you support.

I feel that with a few small changes to the way we elect our officials this could change. Instant Runoff Voting (recently implemented in San Francisco for local officials) gives 3rd parties a fair chance by eliminating the "spoiler vote" syndrome. Instead of picking one candidate (like we currently do) candidates are ranked in order of importance. You rank your 1st choice, 2nd, 3rd, and so on. If your first choice doesn't get enough votes your second choice counts towards the election and so on. This allows citizens to vote their heart and pick a candidate based on their views, minimizing the popularity contest backed by large corporations and the consolidated media we have now.

Instant Runoff Voting would give 3rd parties a fair shot and eliminate the "spoiler vote" syndrome.

Do a google search for "Instant Runoff Voting" or check out this interesting flash presentation: http://www.chrisgates.net/irv/

It looks interesting...I'm going to look further into it. Thanks for pointing that out. What countries use this system currently? My only question is..is there a limit to the number of candidates allowed to be on there? And what keeps the ballot from being overloaded with people who don't share the views of common citizens? Would this increase confusion?

I'm not sure if any countries use the system currently to be honest with you.

And to answer your other questions: There isn't any limit to the number of canidates now (is there?). I don't see how a more fair method of electing officials would be confusing.

i was hoping this topic would get a little more attention. this is really important for our democracy!

Any way to get the word out? Would be interesting to see more than 3 candidates running for President in 08. Hevusa, would you then stay in the US if we had a system like this??

It would certainly help!

Our democracy has been hijacked, and I want to stay and help fight to get it back!

As far as getting the word out... TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW ABOUT IT! Tell them this is the way to give the power BACK to the people.

I think you noticed that this site is picking up rather quickly. If more members sign up, post, refer people, etc. the word might get out.

I think it's a cool idea.