We need the possibility for "coalitions", big time.

In simple terms, what it means is that a candidate or a party, running for an office can, when it gets a siginificant amount of votes but not enough to have the majority, form an alliance with another party or candidate, so that their votes get counted together when determining who hold the majority. The majority is then defined as being held by either a single party or a coalition, and which ever single party or coalition has the most votes, wins the office.

Allowing coalitions would put a stop to all this "your candidate is to blame that my candidate lost" bickering once and for all. Nader voters were blamed for bush. Now it even happens within a party: Kuinich supporters are being blamed for Edwards. And I bet on the republican side Ron Paul supporters will be blamed for whatever. Its a clear sign that election reform is long overdue.

I mean if you know the one true way, why would you be willing to compromise?

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

But in the end, the common people usually benefit from the ideological dividedness of the officials.