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# Bernie Sanders Says Two-Party System Kills Competition of Ideas
- URL: https://ivn.us/bernie-sanders-independent-or-democrat/
- Published: 2016-02-19T21:29:40.000Z
- Updated: 2026-06-22T19:52:09.000Z
- Author: Athena Gavranian
- Tags: News

Independent U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, who is running in the Democratic presidential primary, openly expressed his disapproval of the two-party system on Thursday during an [MSNBC candidate forum](http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/dem-primaries/269967-sanders-two-party-system-holds-back-competition?ref=ivn.us). Sanders has described himself as a democratic socialist and argues that it is “wrong” how America’s current system diminishes competition to just two sides.

"I chose to run proudly in the Democratic primary and caucus and look forward to winning that process. But clearly, as a nation, I think we flourish when there are different ideas out there," he said.

> "Sometimes the two-party system makes it very, very difficult to get on the ballot if you are a third party, and I think that's wrong. I think we should welcome competition." - U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)

Since he announced his candidacy, Sanders has maintained that his decision to [run as a Democrat](https://ivn.us/2015/12/22/is-bernie-sanders-in-a-codependent-relationship-with-democrats/) as opposed to running as an independent is because he does not want to be responsible for a Republican win by splitting votes in the general election.

## Read the full story [here](http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/dem-primaries/269967-sanders-two-party-system-holds-back-competition?ref=ivn.us).

*Photo Credit: [Juli Hansen](http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-883106p1.html?pl=edit-00&cr=00&ref=ivn.us) / [Shutterstock.com](http://www.shutterstock.com/?pl=edit-00&cr=00&ref=ivn.us)*