I like the idea of a system that allows us to vote for representation rather than the all or nothing one we have now... but it still doesn't solve the immediate problem. How are we supposed to change the system without changing the constitution? And how can we change the constitution without already having different parties in congress? I doubt that the Reps and the Dems are about to pass anything that would threaten their power. So once again it goes back to how we get alternative parties and ourselves a voice?

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Originally posted by cristalclair I like the idea of a system that allows us to vote for representation rather than the all or nothing one we have now... but it still doesn't solve the immediate problem. How are we supposed to change the system without changing the constitution? And how can we change the constitution without already having different parties in congress? I doubt that the Reps and the Dems are about to pass anything that would threaten their power. So once again it goes back to how we get alternative parties and ourselves a voice?

Yeah, you're right Sheep. Better just "maeeehh" along with the rest. You're hopelesly caught up in the spiders' nets. "Seems like too much of an effort." If you all adopt that point of view, you will never change anything.

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Originally posted by occrider I've always been a fan of that idea since you first mentioned it. It's such a good idea . It forces parties to make choices to compromise other parties if they so choose to. I don't blame the founding fathers for not anticipating the situation of the current electorate, but come on! We need to change with the times.

I'm impressed that you remember that (I've even changed my avatar, and there's another guy called tranceaholic to make things more confusing). Anyway, you're probably the most likely candidate to introduce the idea on a wider basis - at least I think that you work in government/state. How would you go about changing something like this?

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Yeah, you're right Sheep. Better just "maeeehh" along with the rest. You're hopelesly caught up in the spiders' nets. "Seems like too much of an effort." If you all adopt that point of view, you will never change anything.

Trancaholic,
I don't think she's adopting any view, let alone the "I-give-in" view that you're accusing her of. She's merely asking a very intelligent question as to how this solution is to be implemented, under the current system which would not want to disenfranchise itself.

Her point is clear when one looks at a related topic, that of the difficulty of independent parties in the current system to be recognized as viable third options. As long as the Dems and Repubs are in power, why would they accept a solution that would take away any of their power?

The question that she is asking, and I assume I am also, is how do you go about implementing something like this, which in my opinion (and I'm assuming hers also) is a good idea.

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Originally posted by occrider I've always been a fan of that idea since you first mentioned it. It's such a good idea . It forces parties to make choices to compromise other parties if they so choose to. I don't blame the founding fathers for not anticipating the situation of the current electorate, but come on! We need to change with the times.

yeah, someone should definitely change that!

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Originally posted by Epicurus Trancaholic, I don't think she's adopting any view, let alone the "I-give-in" view that you're accusing her of. She's merely asking a very intelligent question as to how this solution is to be implemented, under the current system which would not want to disenfranchise itself. Her point is clear when one looks at a related topic, that of the difficulty of independent parties in the current system to be recognized as viable third options. As long as the Dems and Repubs are in power, why would they accept a solution that would take away any of their power? The question that she is asking, and I assume I am also, is how do you go about implementing something like this, which in my opinion (and I'm assuming hers also) is a good idea.

Ok, I took her ending comment as a sign of resignation, but I might have understood. Only crystalclair can answer that.
As regards to how to implement it, I guess that the way is through grassroot movements. I would guess that some already exist on this point, which you can join. Then the path would consist of raising awareness among the population as a whole (letters to the editor, books, tv documentaries), and then mount political pressure on those in power (collecting signatures, political bribery etc.).
At least, such an effort has a good chance of being successful in Europe.