Does anyone else think the two-party system has gotten this bad?

@Taskr36 (13963)
United States
March 8, 2009 12:14am CST
I was just reminded of an old Simpsons episode after reading a thread from someone here who is sick of being called a republican when he's a constitutionalist. Watch this clip and tell me if you think the two-party system is really this bad. I kind of think it is. The part I'm referring to is at 7:24 into the video. For those that don't have speakers I've included the transcript. http://tubearoo.com/articles/89034/The_Simpsons_Citizen_Kang.html Homer: America, take a good look at your beloved candidates. They're nothing but hideous space reptiles. [unmasks them] [audience gasps in terror] Kodos: It's true, we are aliens. But what are you going to do about it? It's a two-party system; you have to vote for one of us. [murmurs] Man1: He's right, this is a two-party system. Man2: Well, I believe I'll vote for a third-party candidate. Kang: Go ahead, throw your vote away. [Kang and Kodos laugh out loud] [Ross Perot smashes his "Perot 96" hat] The next day, Kodos announces the result: "All hail, President Kang." The field in front of the Capitol has now become a working ground where humans are whipped by aliens and used to carry materials. The Simpsons family is working too, with Homer and the kids carrying wood, and Marge pushing a wheelbarrow of cinderblocks -- with Maggie on top. Marge: I don't understand why we have to build a ray gun to aim at a planet I never even heard of. Homer: Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos. -- "Treehouse of Horror VII"
1 person likes this
4 responses
@Arkie69 (2156)
• United States
8 Mar 09
The two party system is one of the biggest mistakes this nation has ever made. Too often they are too busy bickering between themselves to put any effort into the needs of the people that are paying them. I would like to see the states all get together and completely dismantle the Federal Government and start over. Art
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
8 Mar 09
"I would like to see the states all get together and completely dismantle the Federal Government and start over" Bingo 20 states working on resolutuions that would provide for just exactly that if the federal government doesn't start stepping back in to it's submissive role. My state blew it big time because of some cowards in our state house of reps, but there are plenty of others still at it. This is another example of the iresponsable and negligent media, you won't see jack shytte about this silent revolution in the news, they are ignoring it completely, yet it is probably one of the biggest stories in the last century.
@Arkie69 (2156)
• United States
8 Mar 09
I don't know how Arkansas stands on this but I will sure push the heck out of it. Yes I know there isn't one word on this on any of the news channels. And people will tell you the federal government isn't controlling the news media? Bull hockey. If you hear any more on this please post it and so will I. Art
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
8 Mar 09
ROFL!!!! Ok, so this is a pertty humorous look at things. But, yeh, it has gotten that bad. I think the term 2 party system is a bit misleading, though it is commonly accepted as such. Quick folks, how many candidates were on your state ballot for president? If you only had 2 choices, then it's time you got a little more active and working to get a fwe more on. It is usualy only a matter in most states of collecting enough signatures for a candidate to get them listed. What we are up against however is a media that refuses blatently to recognize more than the two main parties, with ocaisional token mention of another and usualy only in a "oh look, how cute" sort of manner. The news networks claim that "well, this is only because we cover the candidates people want to hear about"...... BULLSH** Voting for "the lesser of two evils" is a moral compramise.
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
8 Mar 09
I believe there were 12 on my ballot, one of which was not even eligible legally because he was 21 years old. That's why I have no faith in the process of verifying that a candidate is eligible to be president. I studied each one in detail as well as the parties they represented. Before that I didn't realize that there were multiple socialist parties. Seriously, they need to get organized. I agree that the media blatantly refuses to recognize other parties and it disgusts me. They give them ZERO air time and refuse to let them participate in debates. The only reason Ross Perot was in presidential debates in '92 was because George H.W. Bush demanded it. To me that showed serious integrity as most will agree it cost him the election. Ronald Reagan did the same thing for a third party candidate in 1980, but Carter actually refused to appear with a third party candidate president. He beat Carter badly anyway. The same thing could have happened this year when McCain suspended his campaign, but the media completely ignored that Bob Barr wanted to stand in John McCain's place in the debate and the forum said they would just give Obama the room to campaign in alone if McCain didn't show up. That disgusted me. "Voting for "the lesser of two evils" is a moral compramise." That's why I love the "Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos". How often do we see that after a president is elected?
• United States
8 Mar 09
LOL... I remember that episode. There's an important message in it for American voters.
• United States
9 Mar 09
That is a classic one, I love the Simpsons. This is a great point, we really only have two parties, and a bunch of people that who don't even know what to call themselfs. It is sad that our country has come to this, but it is much worse in other countries where you have three or four parties that share control of the government.