Does It Have To Be Two Parties?

Civics on the Rocks

Mack and Steve discuss why it always seems to the same two groups, how it really isn’t, and how that might inform your choices when voting. Wade on in, because sometimes it doesn’t feel like a party at all.

References

Take Britain as a counterpoint with a parliamentary system:

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Parliament.” Updated: September 27, 2024. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Parliament/Decline-of-the-House-of-Lords

The prime minister is a member of the legislature:

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Prime minister.” Updated: September 25, 2024. https://www.britannica.com/topic/prime-minister

The history of the Republican societies that became the Democratic-Republican party:

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Democratic-Republican Party.” Updated: September 13, 2024. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Democratic-Republican-Party

A political scientist discussing whether it does indeed lend itself to two parties:

Difford, Dylan. “Duvager’s Law: More guidelines than actual rules?” March 9, 2022. Electoral Reform Society. https://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/duvagers-law-more-guidelines-than-actual-rules/

Independent members of senate:

Congress.gov. “Senator Angus S. King Jr.” https://www.congress.gov/member/angus-king/K000383

Congress.gov. “Senator Bernard Sanders.” https://www.congress.gov/member/bernard-sanders/S000033

Congress.gov. “Senator Krysten Sinema.” https://www.congress.gov/member/kyrsten-sinema/S001191

People were discussing what the Tea Party actually was back in the day as well:

Connolly, Katie. “What is the Tea Party?” September 16, 2010. BBC News. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11317202

What constitutes an actual party:

Federal Election Commission. “Qualifying as a political party committee.” https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/registering-political-party/qualifying-as-a-political-party-committee/

Despite Anne’s opinion, the political parties are technically nonprofits:

IRS. “Tax Information for Political Organizations.” Updated September 9, 2024. https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/political-organizations

How to get on the ballot in Texas:

Ballotpedia.org. “Ballot access requirements for presidential candidates in Texas.” https://ballotpedia.org/Ballot_access_requirements_for_presidential_candidates_in_Texas

All kinds of parties, or individuals, running for president you might see on the ballot in November:

Ballotpedia.org. “List of registered 2024 presidential candidates.” https://ballotpedia.org/Presidential_candidates,_2024#List_of_registered_2024_presidential_candidates

No, you can’t list any party you want when you run for president in Texas. You must be a member of a recognized political party or run as an independent or write-in candidate:

Texas Secretary of State. “Running for President in Texas (in 2024).” https://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/candidates/guide/2024/president.shtml

What’s an interest group:

Thomas, Clive S. “Interest group.” Updated: September 16, 2024. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/interest-group

Who’s Dick Armey:

Congress.gov. “Representative Richard K. Armey” https://www.congress.gov/member/dick-armey/A000217

Steve said caucus:

USA.gov. “Presidential primaries and caucuses.” Updated Augus 22, 2024. https://www.usa.gov/primaries-caucuses

The Populist Party and the dynamic that happened there:

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Populist Movement.” Updated June 3, 2024. https://www.britannica.com/event/Populist-Movement

What were they getting over:

Merriam-Webster. “Rook (verb).” https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rooked

Not the grain movement:

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. “The Grange Movement, 1875.” https://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-resources/spotlight-primary-source/grange-movement-1875

Here’s why the Progressive Era was the Progressive Era:

Library of Congress. “Progressive Era to New Era, 1900–1929.” https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/united-states-history-primary-source-timeline/progressive-era-to-new-era-1900-1929/

This is a cute video about how an amoeba subsumes its food:

MocomiKids. “Nutrition in Amoeba – Feeding & Digestion Process” [YouTube video]. September 7, 2012. https://youtu.be/u7IN7HTWzLs?si=5PMMtaGpEGye2pN3

Get to know Ross Perot:

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Ross Perot.” Updated September 24, 2024. https://www.britannica.com/money/Ross-Perot

Want to know more about the 1992 election and who got how many votes:

Levy, Michael. “United States Presidential Election of 1992.” Updated: September 17, 2924. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/United-States-presidential-election-of-1992

Who’s Phil Gramm:

Congress.gov. “Senator Phil Gramm” https://www.congress.gov/member/william-gramm/G000365

In case you were wondering, there is still a Reform Party:

https://reformparty.org/

Who’s Pat Buchanan:

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Pat Buchanan.” Updated July 12, 2024. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Patrick-J-Buchanan

The crash:

Weinberg, John. “The Great Recession and Its Aftermath.” November 22, 2013. Federal Reserve History. https://www.federalreservehistory.org/essays/great-recession-and-its-aftermath

Bailout or handout:

Davis, Marc. “A History of U.S. Government Financial Bailouts.” September 23, 2024. Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/articles/economics/08/government-financial-bailout.asp

Learn about the many budget battles:

Bipartisan Policy Center. “Budget Battles Defining Washington: A Timeline.” Last updated February 2020. https://bipartisanpolicy.org/budget-timeline/

Who’s Ted Cruz:

Congress.gov. “Senator Ted Cruz” https://www.congress.gov/member/ted-cruz/C001098

Who’s Jim DeMint:

Congress.gov. “Senator Jim DeMint” https://www.congress.gov/member/james-demint/D000595

The House Freedom Caucus during the time period we were discussing in the podcast:

Desilver, Drew. “What is the House Freedom Caucus, and who’s in it? October 20, 2015 Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2015/10/20/house-freedom-caucus-what-is-it-and-whos-in-it/

The House Freedom Caucus more recently:

Desilver, Drew. “Freedom Caucus likely to play a bigger role in new GOP-let House. So who are they?” January 23, 2023. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/01/23/freedom-caucus-likely-to-play-a-bigger-role-in-new-gop-led-house-so-who-are-they/

Learn about the debt ceiling and what defaulting on it means:

Desjardins, Lisa and Barajas, Joshua. “How a debt default could affect you.” May 24, 2023. PBS. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/how-a-debt-default-could-affect-you

Some Republicans at the time saying that it wouldn’t be that bad:

Reid, Tim and Johnson, Steven C. “Republican mainstream flirts with brief default.” June 7, 2011. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/world/us-politics/republican-mainstream-flirts-with-brief-default-idUSTRE757007/

Some Republicans more recently saying they don’t mind so much that it would be bad:

Lutz, Eric. “The Head of the Republican Party Literally Said a Default Could Bode 'Very Well' for the GOP.” May 25, 2023. Vanity Fair. https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2023/05/republicans-debt-ceiling-negotiations

What’s Ayn Rand have to do with Republicans:

James, Frank. “Ayn Rand: Conservatives’ Abortion-Rights, Anti-Religion Inspiration.” November 14, 2011. https://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2011/11/14/142300606/ayn-rand-conservatives-pro-abortion-anti-religion-inspiration

What’s laissez-faire:

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Laissez-faire.” Updated August 21, 2024. https://www.britannica.com/money/laissez-faire

Who’s Paul Ryan:

Congress.gov. “Representative Paul D. Ryan” https://www.congress.gov/member/paul-ryan/R000570

If you didn’t understand our references to Project 2025, please learn about it:

Wendling, Mike. “Project 2025: The right-wing wish list for another Trump presidency.” September 11, 2024. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c977njnvq2do

Obama talking about what led to Trump:

Rhodan, Maya. “President Obama Says He’s Not to Blame for Donald Trump’s Rise.” March 10, 2016. Time. https://time.com/4254263/president-obama-not-to-blame-for-donald-trumps-rise/

The Libertarian Party:

https://www.lp.org/

Many flavors of Libertarians:

Head, Tom. “What Kind of Libertarian Are You?” September 17, 2019. ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/what-kind-of-libertarian-are-you-721655

The Green Party:

https://www.gp.org/

Who’s Gary Johnson:

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Gary Johnson.” Updated May 9, 2024. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gary-Johnson

Who’s Jill Stein:

Tait, Robert. “Jill Stein formally launches 2024 White House bid as Green party candidate.” November 21, 2023. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/nov/21/jill-stein-2024-presidential-election-green-party-candidate

A little about RFK Jr. and spoiling:

Faguy, Ana. “Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. suspends campaign and back Trump.” August 23, 2024. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy5ekxlwzgo

And in case you somehow missed the story about RFK Jr. and the bear:

Treisman, Rachel. “RFK Jr. admits to dumping a dead bear in Central Park, solving a decade-old mystery.” August 5, 2024. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2024/08/05/nx-s1-5063939/rfk-jr-central-park-bear-bicycle

Palestinians are being killed off in great numbers by the Israeli government:

Farge, Emma and Al-Mughrabi, Nidal. “Gaza death toll, how many Palestinians has Israel’s campaign killed?” October 1, 2024. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/gaza-death-toll-how-many-palestinians-has-israels-campaign-killed-2024-07-25/

We are funding their armaments:

Reuters. “Israel says it has secured $8.7 billion U.S. aid package.” September 26, 2024. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-says-it-has-secured-87-billion-us-aid-package-2024-09-26/

One third-party candidate running on the platform of stopping U.S. involvement in the Palestine-Israel conflict:

CNN. “Third-party presidential candidate refuses to condemn Hamas’ actions” [Video]. https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2024/04/12/cornel-west-third-party-candidate-israel-hamas-nn-vpx.cnn

Why the government isn’t pro-fracking:

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. “Hydraulic Fracturing & Health.” Reviewed: November 15, 2022. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/fracking

Why being pro-fracking might get someone votes in Pennsylvania:

Doran, Brady. “What is fracking in Pennsylvania?” Updated: September 30, 2024. ABC27.com. https://www.abc27.com/pennsylvania/what-is-fracking-in-pennsylvania/

Why being pro-fracking might get someone votes in the Dakotas (maybe):

Holder, Sarah. “The Other Side of the North Dakota Oil Boom: Evictions.” April 2, 2024. Bloomberg. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-04-02/williston-north-dakota-oil-fracking-boom-fueled-a-housing-crisis

Who’s Ralph Nader:

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Ralph Nader.” Updated: September 24, 2024. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ralph-Nader

What’s a single issue voter:

Longley, Robert. “What Are Single Issue Voters?” January 26, 2022. ToughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/single-issue-voters-5214543

How to make a Corpse Reviver #2:

https://www.liquor.com/recipes/corpse-reviver-no-2/

Learn about WD-40:

WD-40. “Fascinating Facts You Never Learned in School.” https://www.wd40.com/history/

How to make a Poison Ivy:

https://www.cocktailbuilder.com/recipe/poison-ivy

Despites us sneering in Texan, Britain has been having heat wave (for them):

Reuters. “UK temperature hits 2024 high, Met Office says.” August 12, 2024. https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/uk-temperature-hits-2024-high-met-office-says-2024-08-12/

So too with California:

Gomez, Julia. “California faces heat wave weeks after earliest snow advisory in 20 years.” October 3, 2024. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/weather/2024/10/03/california-heat-wave-snow/75498584007/

Seriously y’all, heat safety:

Ready.gov. “Extreme Heat.” https://www.ready.gov/heat

If you want to take a daytrip to Fort Griffin:

Texas Historical Commission. “Fort Griffin State Historic Site.” https://thc.texas.gov/historic-sites/fort-griffin

I don’t know how familiar y’all are with caltrops:

Reid, Robert W. “The Caltrop: A Weapon That’s Barely Changed Over 2,300 Years.” September 1, 2006. History.net. https://www.historynet.com/weaponry-the-caltrop/

If you want to read another geek explain the interior of a tetrahedron:

Tralie, Christopher J. “The Tetrahedron and 109.5 Degrees.” https://www.ctralie.com/Teaching/Tetrahedron/

If you didn’t get enough info about platonic solids in our podcast:

Heilbron, J.L. “Platonic solid.” Updated October 4, 2024. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/Platonic-solid

Because Anne can get science-y too:

Huertas, Jesus R.; Casuso, Rafael A.; Agustín, Pablo Hernansanz; and Cogliati, Sara. “Stay Fit, Stay Young: Mitochondria in Movement: The Role of Exercise in the New Mitochondrial Paradigm.” June 19, 2019. National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6607712/

Here’s another reason to exercise:

Ahlskog, J. Eric; Geda, Yonas E.; Graff-Radford, Neill R.; and Petersen, Ronald C. “Physical Exercise As a Preventive or Disease-Modifying Treatment of Dementia and Brain Aging.” September 2011. National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3258000/

We recommend the League of Women Voters as an excellent source of information for voting:

https://www.vote411.org/

Texas Tribune also has an excellent voting guide:

Méndez, María and Schumacher, Yuriko. “Here’s how to vote in the Texas 2024 election.” Updated October 4, 2024. https://www.texastribune.org/2024/08/21/texas-voter-guide-2024-election/

Texas has done some strange things to purge voter rolls:

Acevedo, Nicole. “Texas voter purge may be sending a chilling message, lawmakers and advocates warn.” August 29, 2024. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/texas-voter-purge-warning-ballots-abbott-rcna168811

And “Hans and Franz” is a reference to a Saturday Night Live skit from the 1980s. But you already knew that.