For the past year, the masses of America have been caught in the crossfire of a cunning politician and a shrewd businessman who have riddled the news with jibes and fights. There has been name-calling, pointed fingers, and far-fetched stories that each seem even more ridiculous than the last. Many voters dedicated to the political system have sworn up and down they're either not going to vote, or they're going to vote third party because "they want their vote to matter!" It's unfortunate to say, but voting third party, especially in this election, isn't going to make the impact many believe it will.
Unlike Denmark or New Zealand, America is not a multi-party system. We have been a two-party system since the start of our country, with the brief exception of the Whig party. It began with the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists, which eventually evolved into the parties we are familiar with today, the Democrats and the Republicans. These two parties are interwoven in our society, a core of our culture that influences society's day-to-day functions whether people realize it or not.
At a fundamental level, political parties in the United States drive our government. They nominate candidates for president, they pass laws, and to some extent, they judge how our country should be run. They are rooted so deeply in our country, that it would be nearly impossible to disentangle them. Over the years they have evolved from something used by the people to have their voices heard into the power-houses that control our government, and have given both ends of the political spectrum something to stand behind. The system is in no way perfect, but as of right now it's what we have. Unless we want to play Russian roulette with the next four years of our country, the lives of our children, and future leaders of America, it is imperative that the power of President doesn't fall into the hands of someone who is hateful and impulsive. The window for a third party to wiggle its way up into power closed long ago, and of all elections, this is not the one to try and reopen that window.
As much as I wish it wasn't true, third party voting is not something feasible this late in the game. At this point, the government is held in the hands of two parties, and even if by some stroke of luck a third party candidate found their way into office, they would be boxed in at every turn without any party support in congress. But before something like that could even happen, a third party candidate would have to gain enough traction to be featured in the media alongside the frontrunning candidates. We're a month out from the election day, and I've yet to see anything in mainstream media about any third party candidates, unless it's a small blurb in the corner that barely catches my eye. Without the parties to back them, these candidates, such as Gary Johnson, are unable to gain enough traction to even get on the podium to debate with Clinton and Trump. Without apt media coverage, the general public will never know the other options they have to vote for, making these third party candidates pipeline dreams for die-hard Bernie supporters and nervous republicans who dread putting Trump in office.
There have been times when third party candidates truly believed they could win the vote. Ross Perot, George Wallace, Ralph Nader; these are only a few of the independents who have run and gained high public approval. In the end however, they were kept out of office by the electoral college, and in some instances, such as Nader and Gore, hurt candidates that would have won had there not been a third party that pulled votes. Due to the way the electoral college is set up, it makes it nearly impossible for those who run on an independent ticket to accumulate the votes they need.
Perhaps in the future a this candidate will be able to gain enough traction and enough of a following to make waves in congress and change the face of the political landscape. This election will not only determine how the rest of the world sees America for years to come, but will impact the lifestyle and cultures of millions of people living in the United States. This country must decide what they are willing to sacrifice to vote for someone who makes them feel good.
