Yup. I used to be a Democrat, but now I'm not so sure. I don't remember who said it, but I basically just feel... THIS:
"The Democrats are a clapped out, gut-free lobbyist machine. The Republicans are insane. The system is therefore paralyzed beyond repair…If America cannot grapple with its deep and real problems after electing a new president with two majorities, then America’s problems are too great for Americans to tackle. And so one suspects that this is a profound moment in the now accelerating decline of this country.”
So now I'm just not sure where I lie and who I am. But I'm leaving the country anyway, so it doesn't matter much to me. America's political parties are divorced parents forced to live in the same one bedroom apartment. They bicker and bicker and bicker, but they work together on things we don't see, slander each other to win the pity of their mutual friends, and have careless fucking contests to prove their worth.

By the way, I agree with the general distaste with the main parties. The 10% on the far left and the 10% on the far right seem to be all we hear from. Which is why I'm attending Jon Stewart's Rally in Saturday.

Part of me thinks the parliamentary system, with many parties who have to negotiate and form a consensus in order to lead, would be the way to go.

Me too!

Amen, Sir!

Multiple strong parties would work, as parties would need to negotiate and compromise to form a majority caucus, but it wouldn't work as well with our two established and funded parties.

Was you third party vote in 2000? Mine was too.

It was earlier than 2000. I had already learned my lesson by then.

I just think at least a small majority of the People should want a person in power, and unless Run Off Elections are a part of every major Multi Party Election (with the two getting the most votes participating in the Run Off) then we will get people in power that less than the majority want. Run Off Elections tend to foster a fall off in the number of people voting, either people wait until the Second Election, or they don't vote at all in the second election. I know I don't want someone in power that only 22% of the population thought was the "best one for the job."

I think a MAJORITY vote is necessary. Otherwise too many people's needs are left out.

Certainly, people can get on the ballot. In the last election, earlier this week, there were 5 candidates for our Governor. But, the Libertarian Party, the Greens and the Independent party got less than 3 or 4% of the vote. It helped MY candidate, because some who voted for the Libertarian would have otherwise voted for.....a really scary, racist, homophobe. (They had similar OUTWARD platforms. Nobody's outward platform is "I'm a racist and a homophobe." (well, except Tea Partyers. ) But, the Repub candidate's actions have proven he is both, and a sexist as well. Wants to outlaw Morning After BC.) So, that 3% or so, the Libertarian got actually helped the Democrat. Unlike 2000, when the Green Party Candidate actually helped (gag) Bush get into power.

Voting isn't just about "making a statement." I thought so when I was in my teens and early 20s, but the devastation I have seen wreaked by some in Power, some who got there due to 3rd party candidate siphoning votes, I can't in good conscience, ever vote 3rd Party again. Ever.

However, we live in a Democracy, if 3rd party candidate want to vote, they have every right to. I just don't think in all my years of watching elections (I've been interested in politics since I was a small child.) I can't see a Third Party being worked into the fabric of the way we need to seriously elect people to engage in ACTION, which require MORE than just idealism. It takes the ability to work with others, know the system, and know how to negotiate, even when that candidate needs to sometimes give up something they feel "Dedicated" to. But, of course, they have every right to run, and people have EVERY right to vote for them. I'd never want that taken away.

Hah! I had THAT shirt, from 2000, I believe? Or was that back in '98?

I'm evil anyway, so I'm a proud Republican. I don't really believe in much they promote, but they let me keep more of my money.

The tree-hugging hippie Liberals have better music, though.

Not having children affords me the luxury to be selfish, and not firmly believing in much of anything affords me the luxury to adjust my political affiliation merely for the sake of annoying people.

We do. Our Hippy Music ROCKS!

Damn, have you ever seen a Republican dance? (White people dancin' Clear the floor!)

Juxtapose Bush doing his little wiggle thing to the Obamas sexy slow dance at the Inauguration. Whew. I needed cigarette!

I dance like a White girl. Er, I used to. Now I dance like a fat White suburban (soon-to-be-ex) housewife who's pushing 40. (Translation: I'm hopeless on my feet; throw me on my back or push me to my knees, and I move like the Incubai's Jungean wet dream.)

My husband just emailed me this link. Speak of the...uh nevermind.

link

Bwaha! I usually stay off the dance floor, because My Man dances like a Caucasian. Usually at weddings, a drunk Caucasian.

I was a "Freak" in High School, we were too.....cool, to dance. How do you dance to Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd anyway?

You don't; you just sway and look stoned.

Or SPIN at Grateful Dead shows!

Yes, this is the usefulness of the gender identifier

Haha, I don't know. I'm from PA and I'm registered as independent and so are a lot of my friends.