The U.S. Constitution made no mention of them. America’s first president sought to corral them. Its 16th strove to defang them, bringing opposing members within his inner circle. And in just three weeks, when those who haven’t mailed in their ballots head to the polls, Americans will mostly choose between just two.Political parties. The choices are limited. Winner-take-all voting is hard on those who don’t wear red or blue. And in 2020, third-party contenders for the White House maybe even less of a factor. Sorry, Kanye.
P.S. – Sign up here to find us in your inbox each week. And if you like what you read, consider sharing this blog post with a friend here. You can always reach us at info@opentodebate.org with ideas and feedback.
POINT / COUNTERPOINT
Two perspectives on one of the nation’s biggest debates this week.
Should the U.S. Embrace Third Parties
AGAINST:
INTELLIGRAPHIC
DOUBLE DIGITS
When one number tells two stories.
27
The number of countries with mandatory voting laws
Roughly four-in-ten eligible Americans did not vote in the 2016 presidential election. While most of the world does not have compulsory voting, some countries, like Belgium and Australia, do. Should the U.S. make voting mandatory?
POINTS OF VIEW
Top insights and news from the intellectual leaders
who have battled it out on the Open to Debate stage.
– Meanwhile, Sally Pipes argues that the ACA is failing Americans, noting that unsubsidized enrollment in the marketplace has fallen in recent years. [Read more via Fox, Sally’s debate on Medicare for All.]
– Should Americans be worried about the integrity of next month’s presidential election? Michael Waldman argues no. [Read more via Politico, Michael’s debate on President Trump.]
– A month into the school year, how are schools faring? Carol Burris dives in. [Read more via Washington Post, Carol’s debate on Common Core.]
– Kenneth Rogoff warns of a growing divide between Wall Street and Main Street. [Read more via Project Syndicate, Kenneth’s debate on the global financial system.]
