Maybe There Should Be A Third Party
I have never been much for third parties and independent candidates.
For all of its flaws, the old two-party system has brought us a long way in this country, and I'm slow to change. But as I watch the Senate fumble around with the immigration bill, it made me wonder: Has our two-party system lost the ability to get anything done?
We keep hearing that both parties are playing to their base.
Republicans don't want to offend conservatives so they block real immigration reform.
Democrats fear the liberal left, so they don't want reform.
Result: Nothing gets done on that or anything else.
Yet polls show a majority of Americans want reform, want a guest worker program for illegal immigrants in this country, favor a way to make their status legal. Who speaks for that segment of the electorate? Certainly, not Democratic and Republican leaders, who are so busy pacifying those so-called base voters.
I hope we do see a third-party candidate in the presidential race next year, not because I favor anyone who might run as an independent, but because a third choice would force both the Republicans and the Democrats to move more to the center to stop an independent from siphoning off moderate voters.
If both parties are forced to shift their hunt for votes to the center rather than the edges of their parties, who knows? They may find some common ground every once in a while and actually get something done.
E-mail Face the Nation.
By Bob Schieffer
Copyright 2009 CBS. All rights reserved. For all of its flaws, the old two-party system has brought us a long way in this country, and I'm slow to change. But as I watch the Senate fumble around with the immigration bill, it made me wonder: Has our two-party system lost the ability to get anything done?
We keep hearing that both parties are playing to their base.
Republicans don't want to offend conservatives so they block real immigration reform.
Democrats fear the liberal left, so they don't want reform.
Result: Nothing gets done on that or anything else.
Yet polls show a majority of Americans want reform, want a guest worker program for illegal immigrants in this country, favor a way to make their status legal. Who speaks for that segment of the electorate? Certainly, not Democratic and Republican leaders, who are so busy pacifying those so-called base voters.
I hope we do see a third-party candidate in the presidential race next year, not because I favor anyone who might run as an independent, but because a third choice would force both the Republicans and the Democrats to move more to the center to stop an independent from siphoning off moderate voters.
If both parties are forced to shift their hunt for votes to the center rather than the edges of their parties, who knows? They may find some common ground every once in a while and actually get something done.
By Bob Schieffer














It seems that we are more concerned about protecting the border in Iraq than we are here? How come fences work in Iraq, Korea and along the Israeli / Palestine territories but would not work here? It amazes me that you beltway pundits just don%u2019t get it? I am one who has never been %u201Cpolled%u201D. I own a software company and contrary to popular belief %u201Chave all of my teeth%u201D. I believe that my friends and relatives who have died protecting the sovereignty and borders of the United States would be rolling over in there graves to here such talk from such a powerful media organization.
Getting nothing done on this bill is light years better than passing it.
Keep dreaming.
The duopoly that is in control of America would never allow a third party to gain any power.
The plan is for our "neocon" leaders to slowly give the government more and more powers so the next president(Hitlery Clinton) can become the first American dictator after declaring martial law. Our leaders all take an oath to protect and defend our constitution, but many will never actually obey it.
Posted by derwood5555 at 11:26 PM : Jun 17, 2007
Cudos to you, derwood5555! I've been telling people about the LIBERTARIAN PARTY for years and have voted for them steadily since President Reagan completed his last term.
And to those who think I'm wasting my vote - anytime you cast a vote, it isn't wasted. Politicians look at these figures and, occasionally, act accordingly.
Please visit www.lp.org and see what we're about! You might be pleasantly surprised!
Keep dreaming.
The duopoly that is in control of America would never allow a third party to gain any power.
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