Does our current electoral system need to be fixed?

Question

When the only viable choice is between a fascist and a socialist everyone loses.

Answer 1

You are absolutely correct.

Too bad we couldn't get rid of the money in politics, but we could change other things.

Answer 2

The electoral college itself merely takes the statistical average of the votes cast and correlates it to the population.  Since it hasn't always been possible to have real-time voting results the college has worked in the past and continues to work today.  The problem with American politics today, as you so eloquently stated, is the inability of a third party to grasp any sort of legitimate power on the national stage.  This dilemma however is not due to the electoral college system but the legislation regulating elections in our country.  For example, for a third party to receive national funding in the next election cycle they need 5% of the electoral college votes.  Since this is basically impossible to do without outright winning at least one state it is impossible for a legitimate third party to arise in the US.

Answer 3

Well, I can certainly agree that we need to have some Political Reform in opening up the ballot box to a few more Third Parties in the country.  This blocking by the Republicans and Democrats is certainly disenfranchising American voters, especially those who don't identify with one of the "Big Two".

Answer 4

You've got a point, it is the ultimate choice between a giant douche and a t**d sandwich.