• sub_ubi@lemmy.ml
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    4 months ago

    When one of the two major parties becomes tired of losing elections, they adopt policies from a third party to attract their voters.

    The impact of third parties on American politics extends far beyond their capacity to attract votes. Minor parties, historically, have been a source of important policy innovations. Women’s suffrage, the graduated income tax, and the direct election of senators, to name a few, were all issues that third parties espoused first.

    • Rosenstone, Behr and Lazarus
    • EatATaco@lemm.ee
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      4 months ago

      So, it didn’t solve the problem? I’m not sure what you’re driving at here. I’m not saying there shouldn’t be multiple parties, I’m saying the vote during our presidential election, under our current system, is a strategic one, not one to throw away on a third party.

      • sub_ubi@lemmy.ml
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        4 months ago

        It’s solved many problems.

        The point that the American historians quoted above are making is that if you enjoy certain policies, like being able to vote for senators, women’s rights, or progressive taxation, thank a third party voter.

        • EatATaco@lemm.ee
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          4 months ago

          Your quote talks about how third parties brought about some changes. At no point did I say third parties have no place in us politics, nor did I say never vote for third parties.

          • sub_ubi@lemmy.ml
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            4 months ago

            At no point did I say third parties have no place in us politics, nor did I say never vote for third parties.

            Not voting or voting third party for POTUS does nothing. It’s just pure vanity.

            • EatATaco@lemm.ee
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              4 months ago

              So, you don’t understand that the POTUS election is not the entirety of the us political system? I’m not sure what I’m supposed to say here, you quoted two very obviously different things.

              • sub_ubi@lemmy.ml
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                4 months ago

                The examples I gave, 17th amendment, women’s suffrage, progressive taxation, were pushed by third party POTUS candidates.

                • EatATaco@lemm.ee
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                  4 months ago

                  None of what you provided says anything about presidential elections.