Originally posted by DREDIOCK
If memory serves correct
Lincoln was a third party candidate
True, the Republican party was a third party but by winning it destroyed one of the two major parties resulting in the continuation of a two-party system. You also have to consider the situation in the US at the time, nobody is seriously suggesting the US is going to have another civil war.
Originally posted by DREDIOCK
What rule is written that said its only a 2 party system?
There is none, as a matter of fact, the founders wanted a no-party system but the way the system is set up it virtually guarantees two major parties while making it almost impossible for a third party to garner enough votes to do anything other than to influence the major parties. Historically, the US has a two-party system and to argue that it's not the "rule" ignores history.
Originally posted by DREDIOCK
No such thing as a burned ballot.
Actually, you can burn an absentee ballot but I think you get my point.
Originally posted by DREDIOCK
Why cause they wont win?
By voting for a third party you're not voting for either of the parties that will win so, in essence, you're throwing your vote away. No party is perfect, I think that's fairly obvious, but say you believe in 80% of what one party stands for and 20% of the other. Wouldn't you still rather see the party you mostly agree with win?
Originally posted by DREDIOCK
You vote for who you think would do the best job. Not by who you think would win
I didn't say you should vote for the guy that's going to win. I was simply saying that to vote for a third party candidate you know will lose is a poor choice and may result in the party you most disagree with winning. Those people who voted for Ross Perot were more closely aligned with the Republican party than the Dems and look who won. Those who voted for Ralph Nadar were more aligned with Dems and look who won that one. Seems a little bit foolish to do this.