On March 16, Gallup released this poll, asking voters whether they have a favorable or an unfavorable impression of the Democratic Party, and the same question for the Republican Party. Gallup has been taking this poll starting in 1992. For the first time in the history of this poll, neither major party registers a favorability rating of even 40%. Many years ago, both major parties had positive ratings above 60%.
If the United States had nondiscriminatory election laws and practices relating to ballot access, debates, and campaign finance, it is obvious that new parties would arise and gain substantial support, just as they have in Great Britain and Canada.
Even now, the United States has a record number of one-state parties that are non-ideological and not associated with any particular interest group. Independence Parties exist in Alabama, Florida, Minnesota, Mississippi, New York, and South Carolina. Parties named “Independent Party” exist in Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, and Oregon. The Moderate Party exists in Rhode Island. South Carolina has a centrist party named “American Party.” Massachusetts has a centrist party, the United Independent Party. Colorado has a Unity Party. Iowa has a New Independent American Party. New Jersey has the D-R Party. The United States had a centrist, non-ideological party called Americans Elect during 2010, 2011, and the early months of 2012, but it no longer exists. In the past there were very few parties, either state or national, that were non-ideological and didn’t represent a particular interest group. The birth and growth of such parties is a sign of the unhappiness with the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. Thanks to PoliticalWire for the link.
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