There is an interesting new poll out from Gallup. This Gallup Poll was conducted between October 3rd and 6th of a random nationwide sample of 1,028 adults (with a 4 point margin of error). The survey asked whether the Democrats and Republicans do an adequate job of representing the American people, or do they do such a poor job that a third political party is needed. The results showed that 6 out of 10 Americans believe a third party is needed (about 60%). That is the highest percentage wanting a third party since Gallup began asking in 2003.As could be expected, the group with the biggest percentage (about 71%) wanting a third party was the Independent voters (those not pledging support to either the Republicans or Democrats). But amazingly enough, about half of all Republicans (52%) and Democrats (49%) also desire a third political party -- meaning they are not happy with the representation they are currently getting from their own party.
I have always believed that this country needed more than two political parties. There is simply no way for only two political parties to adequately represent the breadth of political opinion in this country. For instance, many progressives like myself are far more liberal than the current Democratic Party, and while the current Republican Party has moved far to the right they have left a lot of more moderate conservatives feeling unrepresented.
But I have to believe that this is more an expression of disgust over the current political fighting in Washington (especially over the government shutdown and the debt ceiling), than a real desire for a third political party. I say that because there are other political parties that already exist in the United States -- the Green Party representing those on the left, the Libertarian Party representing those on the right, and a few minor parties.
The Green Party and the Libertarian Party are both established parties, and have been trying to get a major foothold on the national political scene for many years now -- but neither has a single representative in our national government (and very few on the state and local levels). While people may talk about wanting a third alternative, when election day rolls around they vote for either the Republicans or the Democrats -- and I expect that will again happen in November of 2014.
I wish it wasn't that way. I think it would be healthy for our democracy to have 3 or 4 (or even more) political parties. It would broaden the political debate and introduce more new and innovative solutions to our problems. Unfortunately, many of those unhappy with the two major parties are either afraid of being accused of wasting their vote, or afraid that the party they like the least (whether it be the Republicans or Democrats) will be elected if they vote for a third party.
That's a shame, because it limits political thought and discourse in this country.
