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The whole idea of a political party seems outdated. Back when the issues were few, the idea of rallying around a set of political stances made sense and created a common cause of action. Now, with a million issues, there's no party that could possibly have a platform that would satisfy. We know that both large political parties in this country are corrupted by corporate influences. Why do we need them? I say abandon them. The candidate is more important than any party label.
The Republicans and Democrats have had complete control over the political system, so far very effectively thwarting any grass roots third-party efforts and reducing them to 'spoilers'. This unAmerican control of our choices should kill any continued support. Unfortunately, it will take some time for people to abandon what is the easiest way to view politics: in black-and-white two-party terms. But I think it's necessary for us to move forward as a nation.
The whole idea of a political party seems outdated. Back when the issues were few, the idea of rallying around a set of political stances made sense and created a common cause of action. Now, with a million issues, there's no party that could possibly have a platform that would satisfy. We know that both large political parties in this country are corrupted by corporate influences. Why do we need them? I say abandon them. The candidate is more important than any party label.
The Republicans and Democrats have had complete control over the political system, so far very effectively thwarting any grass roots third-party efforts and reducing them to 'spoilers'. This unAmerican control of our choices should kill any continued support. Unfortunately, it will take some time for people to abandon what is the easiest way to view politics: in black-and-white two-party terms. But I think it's necessary for us to move forward as a nation.
I agree, our 1st President warned us to beware of a two party system. Maybe now is the time to heed the warning.
Excerpt from Washington's Farewell Address to the Nation:
15 In contemplating the causes, which may disturb our Union, it occurs as matter of serious concern, that any ground should have been furnished for characterizing parties by Geographical discriminations, Northern and Southern, Atlantic and Western; whence designing men may endeavour to excite a belief, that there is a real difference of local interests and views. One of the expedients of party to acquire influence, within particular districts, is to misrepresent the opinions and aims of other districts. You cannot shield yourselves too much against the jealousies and heart-burnings, which spring from these misrepresentations; they tend to render alien to each other those, who ought to be bound together by fraternal affection...
20 I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the state, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party, generally.
21 This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed; but, in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy.
22 The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries, which result, gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of Public Liberty.
23 Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind, (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of sight,) the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it.
24 It serves always to distract the Public Councils, and enfeeble the Public Administration. It agitates the Community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which find a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passions. Thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another.
25 There is an opinion, that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the Government, and serve to keep alive the spirit of Liberty. This within certain limits is probably true; and in Governments of a Monarchical cast, Patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favor, upon the spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in Governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged. From their natural tendency, it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose. And, there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be, by force of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume.
26 It is important, likewise, that the habits of thinking in a free country should inspire caution, in those intrusted with its administration, to confine themselves within their respective constitutional spheres, avoiding in the exercise of the powers of one department to encroach upon another. The spirit of encroachment tends to consolidate the powers of all the departments in one, and thus to create, whatever the form of government, a real despotism. A just estimate of that love of power, and proneness to abuse it, which predominates in the human heart, is sufficient to satisfy us of the truth of this position. The necessity of reciprocal checks in the exercise of political power, by dividing and distributing it into different depositories, and constituting each the Guardian of the Public Weal against invasions by the others, has been evinced by experiments ancient and modern; some of them in our country and under our own eyes. To preserve them must be as necessary as to institute them. If, in the opinion of the people, the distribution or modification of the constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected by an amendment in the way, which the constitution designates. But let there be no change by usurpation; for, though this, in one instance, may be the instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed. The precedent must always greatly overbalance in permanent evil any partial or transient benefit, which the use can at any time yield.
The whole idea of a political party seems outdated. Back when the issues were few, the idea of rallying around a set of political stances made sense and created a common cause of action. Now, with a million issues, there's no party that could possibly have a platform that would satisfy. We know that both large political parties in this country are corrupted by corporate influences. Why do we need them? I say abandon them. The candidate is more important than any party label.
The Republicans and Democrats have had complete control over the political system, so far very effectively thwarting any grass roots third-party efforts and reducing them to 'spoilers'. This unAmerican control of our choices should kill any continued support. Unfortunately, it will take some time for people to abandon what is the easiest way to view politics: in black-and-white two-party terms. But I think it's necessary for us to move forward as a nation.
True.
As it stands now, I think it's clear that neither party represents the "common folk" anymore. They are both bought by the K Street lobbyists and Corporate America, and will listen to their money long before they will listen to us. And this two-party system is what gives us the illusion of choice and power, too- IMHO, choosing between a crap sandwich on rye and a crap sandwich on wheat isn't really a choice. How are you really going to feel going to the ballot box a year from November and choosing between Hillary and Rudy (the two candidates who the corporate media has already chosen for you)?
We need at the least a viable third party, if not fourth and fifth parties, too. With runoff elections. That would be a nice start.
Both parties are subparties of the big one: the $$ party. Both have sold out to special interests that donate the $$ so they can push pre-selected non-issue agendas.
Libertarian or Constitution party...but I remain independent. Why anyone continues to vote for almost any Democrat or Republican, proves how brain-washed and incapable most in this country are thinking outside the box. But then again, some are just praying for government handouts, which in that case, I might understand.
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