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| Posted by | Message | Prominentwon
Idaho Fan
...that's where TOTS come from!
Member since Jan 2005
65095 posts
 Online
| An Elementary Question: Why do political parties exist? (Posted on 1/2/13 at 3:39 pm)
I follow politics pretty casually. So excuse my ignorance.
What frustrates me most about the shape the government is in is the way these people in charge act towards one another. Well, to be honest, that goes for people who follow politics religiously and it also includes the media.
It's like it's just one big competition. Why? To make things work, a workforce has to stick together, correct? Successful actions involve a massive amount of teamwork. Why is it that politicians from the state level on up all seem at odds just because of the party the represent? Is there not guys that will vote for certain issues differently than what they truly believe just because of their part affiliation?
Am I not the only one that believes that political parties have a huge hand in the way this country is being handled? Because of the bickering and arguing between R vs.D, nothing ever seems to be accomplished.
Sorry for being such a rookie, but this is something I've always wondered and it drives me insane that people would prefer to be "right" than they would to accomplish what's best for the people (whom they don't care for) they work for....
| | Back to top | Share on  | Zach 
LSU Fan
Member since May 2005
55813 posts
| re: An Elementary Question: Why do political parties exist? (Posted on 1/2/13 at 3:45 pm to Prominentwon)
quote:
So excuse my ignorance.
You are excused. Say 3 Act of Contrition and a Lord's Prayer to make it official.
The short story.
People of like mind (we call this ideology).
People who want to win against other people (we all this partisans).
Next question?
| | Back to top | | bunky
LSU Fan
FREE EL GUACHO
Member since Jul 2011
4453 posts
| re: An Elementary Question: Why do political parties exist? (Posted on 1/2/13 at 3:54 pm to Prominentwon)
Groupthink
| | Back to top | | IceTiger 
USA Fan
OKC
Member since Oct 2007
8929 posts
| re: An Elementary Question: Why do political parties exist? (Posted on 1/2/13 at 3:58 pm to Prominentwon)
Theater...it makes them look like they are giving you an option
| | Back to top | | LSUconvert
LSU Fan
Clackamas, Or
Member since Aug 2007
464 posts
| re: An Elementary Question: Why do political parties exist? (Posted on 1/2/13 at 4:23 pm to IceTiger)
I think it's mostly an organization thing. Though now it's more about competition.
| | Back to top | | BigJim
LSU Fan
Baton Rouge
Member since Jan 2010
1460 posts
Online
| re: An Elementary Question: Why do political parties exist? (Posted on 1/2/13 at 4:30 pm to LSUconvert)
Great question. Parties exist to control government through elections. That's it.
If you think something other than that, or confuse it with interest groups (that seek to influence policy) you will get frustrated.
Your dishwasher doesn't do do clothes very well, and your washing machine is tough on dishes. So even though they seem very similiar, there are fundemental differences between the two.
Now, I don't want to say that parties are completely indifferent to policy formation; because that's not true. But it is a secondary purpose.
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