Another problem with the two party system, other than the out-dated electoral college, is that it leaves all other independent candidates in the dust when it comes to funding. There is a ridiculous rule in effect that says if a candidate cannot get five percent of the popular vote he/she can not receive government funding at the start of his/her campaign. Without SOME government funding, as a nest egg to begin the campaign, it is very difficult for an independent candidate to get started. Only a strong start is going to go the long haul, and therefore continue to raise funds throughout the campaign. Only the Democrat and Republican parties have the members with their histories of vast sustaining contributions.

In this day and age it is impossible to get elected without the money to buy TV ad space. Constant fund-raising is necessary to be able to advertise oneself, and especially to defend oneself against negative advertisements. If a negative ad runs on national TV without a televised response from the attacked candidate, it could be devastating. An independent is simply stifled when it comes to small sized TV packages such as advertisements and news stories. The best place for an independent candidate to get his/her word out is in an interview program, or in a televised question and answer forum.

The average United States citizen, of average income and average education level, does not read lengthy news paper articles about each individual candidate anymore. Nor do they get involved in lengthy discussions with their friends and co-workers. Infact, they avoid the subject of politics because the do not feel like getting into a tense discussion or debate.

Television is where they get their information. It's easy after a long day's work to watch the business owned and operated news stations tell them whatever they want to hear, in nice clean little sound-bites. The real story is never told in full, and the public is fine with that. They don't have the time to listen. They have better things to do. I have seen better news coverage of the U.S. election issues on BBC World News. The average U.S. television viewer doesn't even want to take a full hour out of his/her day to watch an in-depth report on one single subject.

Other great forums for independent candidates are National Public Radio and the Internet. Unfortunately, those two arenas are listened to and surfed by mostly non-working class, higher educated people, or those too young to vote.

The laws concerning government funding for campaigns need serious reform in order to create a fair playing field for independents to run against THE BIG TWO.

Learn more about this author, Shari Hammerman.
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