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Third Party Candidates in a Two Party System

By Arlon Staywell
RICHMOND — The political process in the United States is often described as a two party system.  It might be de facto but not de jure.  It is by far a bicameral system de jure.  That is, the national legislature and most of the state legislatures consist of two "chambers" or "houses" usually called the "senate" and the "house of representatives."  In Virgina, for example, the legislature is called the "General Assembly" and consists of a "senate" and a "house of delegates."  Nebraska has a unicameral legislature.  There is really nothing in the constitution or any law, state or federal, which limits all candidates to any party or number of parties.
    But clearly two parties have emerged. Since no directive in law requires it there is likely some other reason.  The simple and perhaps obvious reason is that "vote splitting" undermines the "will" of the voters.  That is for any question with two sides, usually yes and no, if "A" takes one side and "B" takes the other then whichever side "C" takes it will "split" the vote for that side into two groups leaving the other side with a likely larger single group.  The representative for that group wins although holding a position which does not likely have the most votes.
    The solution whereby all voting is done on the question rather than any representative is considered impractical for the timing and large number of questions.  This might help explain why there is an electoral college and occasional disregard for some numbers.
    It is important to note here a significant difference in this dynamic and the one whereby wars seem to have only two sides.  If "A" and "B" are fighting and "C" attacks both then it incurs the wrath of "A" and "B," altogether a different process.
    So for political rather than military reasons two parties have emerged with their presumably unique characters.  It might well be that many of the votes received by the last third party candidate to capture a significant portion in a United States national election, H. Ross Perot, where actually votes for "none of the above" than any particular item of policy or spending.  It is one meaning that might shine through in a system that has such an expectation of having only two choices.
    If that were the message it would seem those established in the political machinery did not receive it as there still appears no real choice being offered by the two parties.  Or does there?
    Which party would you expect to favor traditional marriage, oppose stem cell research at the loss of embryos and to oppose abortion and euthanasia?  Which party would you expect to favor a strong and active military?
    Currently the Democrats seem aligned to one objective, leaving Iraq. But will that solve the underlying problem?  Is immorality and godlessness a problem that needs attention and correction?  And if we are to become increasingly moral and godly why need we fight anyone distressed with immorality and godlessness?
    The need for a third choice should be more clear now than when Perot took about a fifth of the popular vote, but where is the third choice?
    Will either established party succeed in redefining itself?  What sort of support will be won and what sort alienated?
    As I have noted often the Republicans have come to believe that the military will prevent people from doing whatever they want and the Democrats have come to believe the military will enable people to do whatever they want.  Current military entanglements press for a resolution.  Someone must change their thinking.
    But when will that change come and when will we see it?  Is John McCain electable?  Do the Democrats already have it wrapped up?  Need a third party join the fray?
    The question is whether in the United States there are enough people who understand and believe there are things right and wrong and know another way to establish which is which than at the point of a sword?

© MMVII by Arlon Ryan Staywell

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    The boats are rented foot-powered paddleboats.
They are on the Potomac River as it passes through Washington. D.C.
 
Photo by Arlon Staywell