Does a two party system create too much of an "us vs. them" mentality?

That's a tough call. On one hand, your party system allows for many different views to be held within one party, and for the legislators within that party to speak those views freely.

The problem with a multiparty system is that you might often split the vote. For instance, in Canada there are currently three major parties. The Liberal Party (centre-left), the New Democratic Party (social democrats) and the Conservatives (right wing). There are also two other significant parties, but not quite as significant as the three I just mentioned. They are the Green Party (environmental left-wing) and the Bloc Quebecois (Quebec seperatists left-wing). That leaves 4 left-wing parties and one conservative party! Last election, the left split the vote and the Conservatives won the election with a clear majority, meaning they essentially can pass any law they want! They did that with 46% of the vote! Most Canadians lean more to the left. Anyone voting for the Green Party or NDP would OBVIOUSLY prefer the LIberals to the Conservatives, but that doesnt matter because we dont have preferential balloting.

At the same time, there has been alot of divisiveness recently in your country. I don't think that's reallly because of the two-party system as much as it is the culture of your country. There seems to be alot of rhetoric (mainly from the far-right) that anyone on the left is un-American, or a communist, or hates freedom, or is a welfare queen, etc... There's alot of the same coming from the left to the right.

Another problem is that people decide where they stand on issues according to whether or not they are left or right wing. There's no cooperation... I dont know if that's because of the two party system, because YOUR particular system allows moderates and a diversity of voices within the parties. I actually like that system alot. I just dont like the way you Americans cant have respect for different ideas.

Decades ago, when our nation had first started out, there were two major political parties: the federalists and the anti-federalists. George Washington was elected in part because he vowed to favor neither party, but rather practice bipartisanship. After two terms he chose to retire to his home in Virginia with his wife, and left with a warning: he said that if we continue to divide the nation with political parties it will lead to a civil war. Well, he was right. Political parties can certainly be dangerous, but it may prove to be even more dangerous without them.

Yes, if we are fighting amongst ourselves we are not fighting the real problem (government)

Its really a one party system, but they need to keep up the illusion of choice so people still show up to the voting booths and give their sanction to the government.

Not necessarily. Look at other nations with multiple parties and you'll see at least as much arguing and opposition as you see here. Our two party system has worked for many generations and I for one am not ready to abandon it.

Absolutely! They spend more time fighting and campaigning than they do working.

Party politics are out dated. We have instant communication around the globe. Why do we need groups of professional liars who are only doing what benefits themselves running our country?

The United States does not HAVE a "two party system".

Read a damn book.

not really, both as bad as the other