Opponents of the two-party system argue that Americans are locked into evaluating every issue through a prism of left and right. They say the country needs to break out of a system that has led to stagnation and a difficulty in finding common ground.
Others counter that, while the two-party system has its faults, it arose organically and has a long history of getting things done in the United States. Supporters say that the system is broad-based and does allow room for independents and third-party candidates.
"There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader, and concerting measures in opposition to each other. This, in my humble apprehension, is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution." ~ John Adams, 2nd President, Letter to Jonathan Jackson (2 October 1780), "The Works of John Adams", vol 9, p.511.
For the motion is David Brooks and Arianna Huffington. Against the motion is Zev Chafets and P.J. O'Rourke. Source: intelligence2: Is The Two-Party System Making U.S. Ungovernable?
A Utopian Libertarian Marketplace
The story of Ross Ulbricht aka the Dread Pirate Roberts is about the Internet age. This guy set up a utopian libertarian marketplace, a place where you could buy and sell almost anything in secret. The pirate created a market with no contracts, no regulations, and really no government interference. The Dread Pirate believed in total economic freedom, but he had to do some very bad things to make it work. Contains language and adult themes that may not be appropriate for children. Source: planet money: Chasing The Dread Pirate Roberts
Music includes Youngbloods - Get Together, Capitol Steps - Bush Defines His Legacy, David Rovics - The War Is Over, Capitol Steps - Osama Under the Sea, Dave Carter / Tracy Grammer - Gentle Arms of Eden, Capitol Steps - Hillary Will Survive, Machel Montano - No War, Capitol Steps - Obama Speaks: BP Oil Spill, Peacesong - Sudden Sound, Ryan Harvey - The Betrayed Soldier, Jim Page - Head Full of Pictures, Pete Seeger - Waist Deep in the Big Muddy, Paul Revere / The Raiders - Indian Reservation Cherokee People, Stevie Wonder - Love's In Need Of Love Today, Ken Freeman - Casualty
intelligence2: Is The Two-Party System Making U.S. Ungovernable? http://www.npr.org/2011/02/17/133838193/is-the-two-party-system-making-u-s-ungovernable
planet money: Chasing The Dread Pirate Roberts http://www.npr.org/blogs/money/2014/11/26/365510643/episode-585-chasing-the-dread-pirate-roberts
also see http://greatspeechesandinterviews.blogspot.com/2015/05/has-two-party-system-made-us.html
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