Is the failure of the US 'Bail out' bill due to the 2 party structure of US politics?

[stuartpaterson]

Had the US had a third leading party would the bill have been passed?

It is reported that the Republican party voted it down due to the speech of the Democratic speaker of the house seeminly attacking the republican party. In an election year this could be damaging to the party under attack. If a 3rd leading party existed then the damage may not be so great.

[CLIVE H]

I'm not sure that a third leading party in the US would have made much difference.

The problem as I see it from this side of the pond seems mainly to do with the fact that there is an upcoming Congressional election in November. This has meant Congress members taking note of their constituents and not of their gut instincts.

In addition, there is the fact of American politics itself, which is divided and consumed with an ongoing Revolutionary zeal which the people will not give up.

I'm not saying anything more on this, it's the people's choice.

Here in UK the British people rarely ever come together on any issue. However on this one issue of our economy, I can see similarities between the way in which the parties have come together, very much as we did in 1940 on the eve of the Battle of Britain. We're in this to win, togethere one team and one nation.

When it's over, we can go back to our squabbling as usual and divide into our parties and continue the sniping and publication of rude and vulgar cartoons.

Right now we have a battle to win.

Good luck to everyone, here and in USA.

[Lorne]

I don't think that the Americans reacted positively to the sight of PM Brown and the prime ministers of Spain, Denmark, Australia and the president of the European Commission over in America with their begging bowls.

[Floid]

It is due to congressman actually following the Constitution for once (I doubt this is literally the case, but they did it on accident).

[N. Cognito]

No, the two party system is more involved in the problem than the solution.