Why have political parties become so polarized that they fail to address the concerns of most Americans?

Hi Sam...hope you are coming back next season!

I have been blogging about this issue for many months and could not agree more that we need a true independent party system that allows all parties access to the electorate, first, in the Primaries then in the General Election. I also favor term limits for all elective office holders.

Currently our system is tightly controlled by the major parties and lobbyists, making it nearly impossible for truly representative government. We need to send a message - Politicians who do not listen and do not do what is best for us will be replaced.

What amazes me is the fact that polling showed that Congress was rated lower than President Bush prior to the 2006 Election. There was a shift in power because of it, yet, they still haven't gotten the message.

We want performance of our wishes!

Groups such as Unity08 are a step in that direction.

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Jim DeSantis publishes political commentary at http://on-line-tribune-front-page.blogspot.com/ . Guests commentary is invited.

Both the Dem's' and re pubs' can rarely agree on anything even when they want the same thing.

Unless you go to c-span you will not see much coverage of third party candidates.

Large corporations make huge contributions to candidates they support,you are limited in how much you can donate to a candidate personally. Corporations set up committees and groups to support and fund candidates.

The latest bankruptcy laws were written by the banking industry for congress to make into law and it bit them in the butt.

The other problem is that some people vote for 1 party all the time,either because they support that party all the time and believe it is the only party to do whats right,or they are dissatisfied with the other party for some reason.

Both parties want it their way and will compromise some to get their way.

If what I read on the Internet last night is even half true,this election may not matter anyway. If we have another attack like 9/11 or a major disaster before the elections F.E.M.A . will take control and George Bush will become the true power of government. If it happens after the elections and before the new president takes office,I don't know what will happen.

G.W. signed an executive order for the continuity of government and F.E.M.A. will take over and suspend the constitution and the President will be the unity executive.

Congress and the Supreme Court will still exist but will have very little voice,the President has the final say in all matters.

There was also another site talking about the formation of the North American Union (Canada,U.S. and Mexico forming a union like the E.U. and the U.S. Constitution will be gone.

Because most Americans let them. We found out that we can vote ourselves money and we won't stop until we are bankrupt. Government has become a career.

Basically the biggest enemy of the Republicans is the Democrats and vice versa. It is like a college rivalry. Boosters will give money as long as you beat state, just like special interests will support you as long as you kill that bill.

Party trumps principle. The need to get reelected is somehow justification for tabling difficult issues. Quid pro quo for earmarks is viewed as compromise. AndGetting a victory over the other party is more imporant than making a good law or solving a problem.

We haven't had a true leader for a long time, and unfortunately, I don't think Unity08 is anything more than a gimmick. We need a new political party, not a mix of what we already have. I don't see how a mixed ticket will solve anything. We don't get co-presidents. So having a VP of a different party doesn't mean much unless the senate is 50/50. Looking for our answer from within the groups that messed up the system is a bad idea.

We need true election reform. Get rid of the stranglehold that the Republicans and Democrats have on the government.

Dump the electoral college. Change it so that each congressional district gets one vote (gets rid of 100 electoral voters) and make each district independent of their states. Have a national primary and then have a runnoff between the top 2. People can then vote for Greens, Socialist Workers, Libertarians, Constitution, whatever. No one will have to worry about throwing away their vote and other parties will get significantly more votes.

Let's see what happens in the Senate when there are 48 Republicans 48 Democrats, 2 Greens and 2 Libertarians. You might see people actually work together.

Maybe this is too much to even dream for, but it shouldn't be.

When our Founding Fathers helped create our country, they had originally attempted to set up a partyless form of government. As great as that sounds, human beings cannot help but to become polarized on issues that cause great concerns. Right or left, up or down, front or back, my way or the highway, people try everything they can to convice others that their way is the best way.

But many issues cannot be simplified to just black or white. Many things have grey areas involved. Sometimes the extremist view or solution can do much more harm than good.

Our country's true problem is that there is no other view than either the Republicans or the Democrats. Attempts by others in the past to develop a third party have failed, usually because they were taking still yet another extremist view. Ross Perot probably has come the closest since the Whigs were put out of power. He took a 'common man's' approach, even though he was no longer a common man himself, which I think is what hurt him in the end.

Even though the Democrats and the Republicans each have moderates within their ranks, the 'party line' is usually the dominating factor with most politicians. If they don't follow the party line, then they find themselves with a lot less support come time for re-elections. I think the problem most Americans have with the different party lines is that they don't agree with either policy 100%. But since there are no other viable candidates available to choose from, a person MUST select someone to vote for who probably has at least one point of view or agenda they they personally do not agree with. There is no middle ground. Many times, voting feels like a choice between the lesser of two evils.

This country needs a good, strong third party. Or 4, or even 5. The more views, the better. After all, our country's founders instituted a tri-cameral government, with equal powers, just for the purpose of the checks and balances. So that no one person or group of people could permanently take power without the people's consent.

As many problems as we have, I am so very glad that I was born in this country. When I see on the news about some third world country having yet another military coup, or some place that doesn't give all of their citizens their rights, or even a first world country having yet another change of power when the prime minister decides to resign, I am so very glad that our Founding Fathers had such foresight as to have written a flexible but powerful document such as our Constitution. Read it. You will not find anywhere in that document any wording whatsoever about the founding of a political party. It was never intended. And I personally believe we don't need them.

The problem is that special interest groups are constantly throwing their ideas and dollars at every politician from both major parties. What needs to happen is: a) have any and all contributions pooled, then divided to all political parties that have a candidate. Or: b) cap the contribution to a monetary amount per political party (i.e. a million dollars is a good number). Having a number capped would limit influence from a corporation wishing to do business with the government, and still anyone that wishes to help out a political party can do so without special guarantees.

Another Idea I have is to banish all contributions to all politicial parties. Ban these $10,000 a plate fundraisers just to hear a politician speak on a issue that affects that fundraiser. Back before any media had influence, politician's paid for their own staffing and travel. They came to cities large and small to speak to all American voters, not expecting a cent from these people on their 'whistlestop' tours of the U.S. Politicians wishing to take the top job should pay their own way and not expect all the perks and Secret Service protection.

Not all candidates get protection from the Secret Service but Obama and Hillary do? Not very fair as I see it. So what if Hillary was a former First Lady, everybody plays from the same field, no more no less. I may think this is all old school politics, but it was far less corrupt than the garbage were being given every election year. Get rid of special interest and you just might actually see something get done, like the Iraq war or the price gouging at the gas pump.

Washington has become a running joke. Anybody that knows anything about "real" politics knows these clowns and clownettes are bought and paid for by big business, i.e. BIG oil, insurance and banking conglomerates. Ever wonder WHY gasoline prices magically go down BEFORE an election?? Then a few weeks later, after the election, gas bounces back up even when a barrel of oil is $10 cheaper!! Ever wonder WHY the government is so concerned about YOUR welfare that they mandate seatbelts, but can't mandate clean air, or insurance companies making FAIR claim compensation. And, WHY is there no descention in this country, there is NO fairness doctrine since Reagan, so there has never been "the OTHER side" of the story. This nation was built on democracy, and that REQUIRES HONEST DEBATE!!! But, NOT HERE. American politics is a joke! The rich & corrupt BUY both sides of the coin giving the public the impression of democracy. IF, WE THE PEOPLE, truly controlled our government, I can assure you, there would be NO war in Iraq, NO IRS, and NO BUSH! But, we truly haven't had a democracy for a very LONG LONG time. Democracy is what politicans tell you you have UNTIL they take control, THEN, AFTER THEY TAKE OFFICE, they remind you that THIS IS A REPUBLIC!! There's just one all powerful party.... the demopublican party. Any divisions or differences are only an illusion! :)

And everyone wonders why the American public don’t come out and vote or even care about the political race. This year in particular I can't believe that the races and debates have started so soon, one day the race for the white house will start before the new president has sworn in. I know that I am a 24 year old and I don’t care what is going on in politics right now and I know that this is the case for many my own age, its not a topic that comes up and certainly not something that is interesting, I know it is to my benefit to know what is going on and who the choices are but i really don’t want commercials and ads for candidates this early. I would rather there be one month for this process, maybe some small chatter behinds the scenes on talk radio but one month should be enough time to bombard us with ads and tell us how great you would be as president not 500 days. I know that I will be so sick and tired of it all by the time the election comes around that I wont even vote, that’s what happened last year, I was so sick of hearing Bush is pulling ahead or Kerry has made strides, who cares this is more for the News stations to have something to write about, and talk about, a lot of people make their livelihoods on this and it sickens me, I know its important to have a great leader but when there is only a month you would have to pay attention and care about who is really there, I would focus and actually vote. the process is getting to a point where it wont mean anything anymore, its not like the president has ever written anything he has ever spoken in any speech ever or any president in the past 100 years, its an image thing and not a leader thing anymore, so why not just get rid of it. It is a nascence and a bore and nobody but CNN really cares about it, let the senate run thins and let there be no party lines and have there just be leaders who are there to do what they are paid to do, lead and vote the way the people who elected them would vote. The county is less than 250 years old and it is already falling apart because of money and greed and politics, not necessarily in that order. Something has to be done, if I were president things would be very different, watch out in the 2028 election.

It is my belief and I'm sure I'm not alone in this that some candidates like Barak Obama and Senator John Edwards have the certain charisma and passionate appeal that seems to transcend over television screens nationwide. However, for the most part, the majority of the presidential candidates lack the stick-to-it mentality on key issues that we so seldom see and desperately need. So, Why does this happen? After giving it some thought I came up with 2 top reasons. 1. "Going with the way the wind blows" approach. This simply means that candidates will shift their opinions to the matters that grab the most attention. However, were not talking about voter’s attention. Were talking about the attention of political media coverage and campaign money. Raking in the big bucks to stay in the race. When it comes down to it during the duration of time leading up to "America" making the "ultimate decision" as puff daddy would say "It’s all about the Benjamin’s baby." 2. "Words speak louder then actions" I guess if candidates can manage to beat around the bush without actually coming to a conclusion regarding a topic of interest, there is no right or wrong answer right? WRONG. I would give a huge sum of money toward the financing of a candidate’s campaign if he or SHE could answer a topic question with a straight, to the point answer. Granted, there's a lot on the plate to discuss, Education, Medical Care, SSI but if I heard a candidate taking a topic and answering each specific question regarding not what we CAN do but what will be done. I'd feel pleased enough to give my vote.

I certainly hope they can help. But reality tells me otherwise. Really, the political system has become the puppet of industry. It used to be called the military-industrial complex but now it includes big Pharma and the Media. A coup has occurred.

You know it and I know it. The conservatives blame the government, refusing to see that their precious free enterprise is really running things and has been for quite some time. Oh, it's really quite easy to blame the poor for being poor, and to call the unemployed shiftless.And to say it's a tough world and if your in trouble it's your own damn fault. And to parade Christianity and morality up and down the street. My questions to those people are this: If you're so Christian and moral why don't you give a damn about anyone else? If it's Free Enterprise how come it's not free to everybody. What's happened to the Mom and Pop businesses? How come you have to be a huge corporation to be succeed? What's the point of sending jobs offshore to produce goods ostensibly for the domestic market when that markets jobs are gone and they don't have any money? If this is such a great country how come so many people are a couple of paychecks away from the homeless shelter? And if you're so damn Christian and moral how come you're not doing anything to rectify this? I thought that's what being Christian was all about, helping the less fortunate.

In a nut shell, this division has been brought about by the Republicans, part of their fundamental belief system is that everyone should fall in line at all costs. Anyone who doesn't is automatically a threat.

The Democrats on the other hand believe that government has a right to protect people from themselves at all costs.

The truth is is that we all need protection from the corporations. Until we abandon the two party system in favor of a multi-party system these divisions will exist and we will be divided and exploited as a result. We only really have two choices politically.Which is kind of an insult to our intelligence as human beings. In the real world our choices are much more shaded.

Our political system should reflect that. Having only two parties insures multiple levels of bureaucracy and insures that nothing that the people want will get done. But then, that's the way the corporations like it.....

Well, you can call me conservative, a religious right fanatic, or what ever term you want. I'm going to say what I've always said. The reason the parties are so polarized is because they are portrayed that way in the media. When you can turn something like 9/11 into a political struggle that warp some Americans into thinking that terrorrism is a made up term by republicans, or that this war was only brought about to further increase earnings by Oil tycoons, you have to look at the source. It's the media, again and again. The factions are brought about by the agendas the News agencies want to push. They constantly bombard us with this european idealogy of a quasi-peace that doesn't involve any work. If people are against the war that's their right, but don't think that you can be against the war and support the troops. Can someone tell me how you can be against something and hope that the opposing side does well? This is the kind of double standard we get out of news media outlets. When devastation hits us from natural disasters, Govt., mainly the president gets the blame. How do we know who gets the blame....well our trusty Big Three NBC, ABC, CBS interviews everyone closely involved w/ pointed questions. Don't ask, what can be done in the future, but rather ask, how could you let this happen. As if the White House can stop mother nature. This goes back to the point I'm trying to make. The media wants us to believe the government can solve all of our problems. This is socialism people. Unfortunately one side of our 2 sided system thinks that way as well. Do you seriously think another party will help change that? The media don't want it, so it's not going to happen. If we had people banding together to solve problems then what would news companies report about? Unity08 is just grassroots for DNC. Please people don't kid yourself, you know good and well who will be funding this program. It all goes back to a bid for Hillary.

Polarization according to Webster's New Collegiate dictionary is--"to separate into diametrically oposed often antagonistic, groups, viewpoints, etc." It truly began most heartily during the 90's when the Republicans beat up Clinton and brought up issues that didn't mean a thing to the American Public. They became issues to "hide" the real agenda...that is to not do what the American public wanted.

They made important issues such as gay marriage, welfare reform (putting the whole of the budget problems on the back of single Moms when the whole of welfare was only 3% of the annual federal budget), and other such issues. They were a smoke screen for what was really going on and to get the American public's mind off the important issues.

The real thing going on was Big Business Interests and a way to begin a war so there would be an excuse for abuse... like raising gas prices three hundred percent... remember when Clinton was President gas was 1.00 a gallon? Now we have an oil man from Texas as President and what has happened to gas prices and the sky rocketing oil profits... if there is an oil shortage why the 40 billion per year profits of the Exxon company???

Follow the money trail... and the answer is clear. The American public is being screwed royally and they (unlike the hippies of the 60's) are taking it... no protests... no thinkers... no backlash...

Keep living your ordinary lives folks and it will stay the same... by the way... these are not new issues...

Watch the old black and white movie "Mr Smith Goes to Washington" with Jimmy Stewart and you will see corruption in government is nothing new!!!!