While a two-party system is not explicitly laid out in the Constitution (they never are), the way that power is distributed electorally clearly dictates two parties. If you had a third party on the left, it would just fracture the Democratic Party and entrench the Republican Party. Same on the right. A right-wing third party would fracture the Republican Party and entrench the Democratic Party.
A third party might make a strong showing in one election, but after they’ve done their part electing people they hate, they generally fade away (eg George W Bush would not have been elected if Nader had not fractured the Democratic Party.)
Constitutions can be written in such a way as to encourage multi-party democracy. I wish ours was one of them. But it is not.
Americans Elect abandons bid to end two-party stranglehold -
Americans Elect, a well-financed group that aimed to help a viable third party candidate enter this November’s presidential race, has announced it is ending its web-based push to break America’s two-party system.
The organisation, which was founded with millions of dollars from its initial wealthy backers, had little trouble in organising a push to get on the ballot across America. It managed to secure ballot access in 29 states and was on track in all the rest. But it failed to attract a big-name candidate to join it or generate enough popular support from ordinary Americans to fulfil its own requirements to accept a candidate. [more]
Americans Elect couldn’t elect anyone, despite funding and a spot on the ballot in most states. So now they’re gone. A shame, but not one without lessons.
Seems like just yesterday they were in their early hustle, promising Americans more options:
“What’s important to realize is, this isn’t another political party. This isn’t a third party. This is a second nominating process. And the vision here is that, in November of 2012, when American voters go to the poll, there will be a third ticket that they have directly nominated themselves,” Elliot Ackerman, American’s Elect
Americans Elect was basically trying to start a centrist party (a la Tom Friedman) that believes in exactly the same things that the Democratic Party already believes in.
(via truth-has-a-liberal-bias)
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Baby pangolin?
(Source: vimeo.com, via braindr0ppings)
(via xombabe)
104%, eh?
I thought those said like, 14 and 12
…but then I saw the decimal.
;___;
I’m assuming it’s 104% total because there’s some overlap where covers may feature people of many different races.
It’s overlap. You can have more than one person on a cover.
(via sunshien)
I’m horrible… xD
It has been reported by various sources that Orthodox Metropolitan Augustine of Germany of the Ecumenical Patriarchate has violated the holy cannons of the Orthodox Church by receiving sacramental oil from a Roman Catholic prelate as well as other violations whilst taking part in non-orthodox liturgical services during an ecumenical event held on 5th may 2012, at Trier, Germany.
the event was attended by Eastern Orthodox Churches, Oriental Orthodox Churches, Roman Catholics, Anglican and several other Protestant denominations.Presence of female priestess were also very much visible.
I SAW THIS AD IN 2005 AND I’M STILL WONDERING WHY IS HER HEAD SO TINY
WHY
IS HER HEAD SO TINY
NO I’VE GOT IT.
THOSE SKIN-COLOURED THINGS TO THE SIDE ARE NOT HER SHOULDERS.
THEY ARE ACTUALLY A CHAIR.
OH MY UGUCKING FGOD
(via triverati)
