The problem is that none of that system is actually instituted by the government. The parties are private entities, elections are privately funded. Technically there isn't anything preventing exactly what you are saying, except the inertia and the amount of money allowed to be spent on elections by people (which in this case included corporations)
How do you limit that without limiting freedom of speech, which the courts have ruled money is a form of?
Funny thing about "money " being considered a form of speech. That automatically means those with more money get more voice.
It may not be institutionalized, per se, but the institutions that are in place sure have a vested interest in keeping it that way. And unfortunately, no ready solution seems to present itself.
I just wonder how long it will take people to wake up. I heard a story recently about a gal who moved here from some African country. She went to the store & was astounded by all the choices we had for things like toothpaste. Or anything. Then you get to the second Tuesday in November and you get "a" or "b." It's ridiculous.
The last major party candidate I voted for in a presidential election was W in 2000 & I regretted it afterward. I think if nothing else, having ended up with Trump in office is making the 2 parties have to do some serious soul searching.
Then you have the funding of Presidential campaigns - If you recall John McCain chose to be constrained by rules so that he could qualify for public funding for some of his campaign. If any party wants to receive
any of that public funding available, they have to have received at least 5% of the popular vote in the previous presidential election. Which, if nothing else, that alone persuades me to "throw away" my vote
every time. If I don't who will? Besides, whoever I vote for, my vote is converted into a vote for the republican candidate and weighted more heavily than any poor californian's vote, due to our convoluted electoral college system, which also serves to keep the current parties in power. anyway.
Where's Teddy Roosevelt when we need a Bull Moose party?
PLEASE CAN WE GET SOMETHING ELSE?????:face-icon-small-dis
