In the US, there are a number of political parties, of course, but the political scene is not nearly as cluttered with party politics as is Israel. Below is a listing of all registered parties in Israel with the population percentage of those who are currently attached to these parties. Nine of those parties are fairly significant in either size or influence. While most who identify with various parties are consistent in their party allegiance, the political “tide” can change from time to time (from conservative to liberal to whatever) because of the huge number of those who refuse to be identified with any particular party.
The notion of categorizing a contingency as
“independent” works in Israel, and is a strong political influence within the
United States, as well.
Why “independent?”
Well, for one thing, a particular party has no claim on your
donations unless and until it presents itself to your wants, needs,
and desires. Secondly, a particular party cannot ever rest on its
backside, knowing that there exists a
huge political influence that is not ideological in nature, and will not be coached into its membership. When an “independent” votes, he/she is not voting for the party, but for individuals and issues.
The continued existence of a huge "independent" demographic means, quit simply, that none of the major parties can be counted out, when it comes to winning or influencing an election. The GOP wins, with regularity, because it appeals to independents on occasion. To dance around, like school children on an elementary playground, and sing "the GOP is dead, the GOP is dead," will always be an action that fails the test of time . . . . . . . . . . all because of the independents in this country, who do not care for such displays of emotional immaturity.
In the 2012 election, I do not believe either side won the independent vote. You might disagree and cite survey's proving your point, but I have this fact on my side: nearly 8 million folks voting "Democrat" in 2008 did not vote this year. 70 million voted for Obama in 2008 . . . something like 62 million voted for the man in 2012. More than this, the GOP vote was less, as well . . . . . 1.5 million less. I submit that this contingency, these 9.5 million voters, are part of the "independent" majority in this country . . . . . . and they were unimpressed with the choices birthed from party politics. While the GOP was harmed, the Dems apparently are not aware of the fact that they suffered more of a loss in this victory, ironically, than did the conservative sector.
Hail to the independents and bless the conservative effort to win their approval.
Party politics in Israel and the percentage of the population listing themselves as Beytenu, or Labor or whatever :
1) Likud-Beytenu 18
2) Labor 11
3) Jewish Home 8
4) Arab parties 6
5) Yesh Atid 6
6) Shas 5
7) Meretz 3
8) United Torah Judaism 3
9) Hatnua (Movement) 3
10) Am Shalem 0.8
11) Otzma Leyisrael 0.7
12) Eretz Chadash 0.5
13) Deham 0.4
14) Kadima 0.4
15) National Union 0.2
16) Pensioner’s Party 0.2
17) Aleh Yarok 0.2
18 Other 2
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