[Vision2020] polarizing and the two-party system

[Tom Hansen]

One option in a three-way race would be to adopt a method used by (you're
not go to believe this) Louisiana.  There would be a run-off race between
the top two candidates.

As in your example:

Green Party Candidate - 25%
Democrat Candidate - 35%
Republican Candidate - 40%

The subsequent run-off election would be between the Democrat candidate and
the Republican candidate.  Since the election concerns a one-person office,
I fail to see how this could be accomplished any other way.  Any candidate
worth his/her salt would support/enact policies which would appease the most
people.

It is a simple matter of "Rule by Majority".  I realize that, with your
example, a true majority vote may not be realized.  However, considering all
aspects, it is the fairest approach.

Tom Hansen
Vandalville, Idaho 

"Politicians are like diapers.  They should be changed frequently and for
the same reason."

- Robin Williams

-----Original Message-----

From: Andreas Schou [mailto:ophite at gmail.com] 
Sent: Sunday, October 15, 2006 8:07 AM
To: Tom Hansen
Cc: Vision2020
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] polarizing and the two-party system

> Ultimately, your concept would eliminate true representation.  These
> representatives would speak for their parties and not the people that
> elected (or as suggested by you "did not elect") them.

I'm not against the two-party system. I'm just suggesting that our
system is structured so that it will not provide greater diversity in
politics, and will occasionally produce truly perverse outcomes.
Proportional representation solves this problem, but adds the problem
of not ensuring regional representation.

Take, for instance, a district where 25% of the voters vote for the
Green Party candidate, 35% for the Democrat, and 40% for the
Republican. Who wins the election? The Republican. Which policies
would the majority of the voters in this district like to see enacted?
My guess is, policies closer to those of the Democrat or the Green
Party candidate. Which policies are actually enacted? Those of the
Republican.

There are major electoral advantages, under the winner-take-all
system, of consolidating the vote into as few voting blocs as
possible. Expecting that the parties won't take advantage of this is
ridiculous.

-- ACS