It also only has two parties that are both heavily influenced by lobbyists.
And yet, one party keeps enacting consumer and worker protection laws, with the other party taking them away. HMMM CURIOUS oh well I’m sure they’re both equally bad
Comment on Why does the USA have so few legal protections for ordinary people, and how can we change that?
olafurp@lemmy.world 3 months ago
The US is incredibly bad at reining in capitalism. It also only has two parties that are both heavily influenced by lobbyists.
To fix it, not sure, calling politicians and showing up to stuff will help but it’s always going to be an uphill battle. Anyway, just vote, if you get the option to choose then vote for a third party as long as you’re not in a swing state.
The real solution is still voting reform to get more diverse opinion so if that’s on the ballot vote for it and try to get other people to do the same. The UK missed a major opportunity for voter reform.
This can happen over a couple of generations by removing winner take all representatives for a state and cause a hung parliament. Coalition talks will then be more likely to include concessions on the two state systems to get a governing coalition.
You can look at the UK as being the same only one generation ahead if things go well.
Cryophilia@lemmy.world 3 months ago
olafurp@lemmy.world 3 months ago
Yeah, Democrats are way better at making legislation that benefits an average person. They’re also respect the parliamentary conventions and the democratic process.
KillingTimeItself@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 months ago
moving away from something like FPTP (what the majority of america uses) and to something like IRV (maine uses this iirc, and most euro countries also do) can vastly improve things.
As for american elections the states themselves have a lot of control over their own voting process, and even some of the federal process. So just voting locally for voter reform can be quite impactful.
olafurp@lemmy.world 3 months ago
Exactly, state elections with referendums on voting reform are absolutely crucial to move the needle.
There’s a major thing happening right now in the US where states are agreeing to pledge their vote to the winner of the popular vote as soon as the pledged electors get past 270 which is a big win in my opinion. It’s still doesn’t help with the two parties situation but any democratic improvement is a win.
KillingTimeItself@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 months ago
yeah, it’s a good starting point and a big mover potential, though to be clear the supreme court ruled that electorates pledging doesn’t mean they have to legally follow that statement. They can be unfaithful electors, it’s just likely to get them ousted next election cycle.
It was part of the concession ruling that they can be made to pledge, it’s just that they can’t be forced to vote in one particular way.
SubArcticTundra@lemmy.ml 3 months ago
Yes, IMO when there is more competition, politicians start caring about the little things besides the big things like inflation.
Landless2029@lemmy.world 3 months ago
I agree with one correction.
Vote even in non swing states.
There are far too many registered voters who don’t vote.
Texas could be blue every year if half the dem no shows just voted.
Also even less vote outside of the presidential election.