Political parties - the root of the problem? (enemy, politicians, economy)

[Neuling]

I was thinking about that recently because it seems to me that without political parties we would have fewer problems and more progress. Parties divide society into fronts. Also within parties many elected politicians do not do what their voters or conscience tell them to do, but they are or feel obliged to support their respective parties just because they are part of them and maybe because they owe fellow party members something in return for getting that far.
If there were no parties, but instead only individual candidates with their own views and goals that voters either like or not, maybe we would have much more capable and honorable politicians. Not to mention the poisonous atmosphere would be gone from both society and politics.

Of course that would mean that many countries would have to fundamentally change their political system including elections etc. But still, maybe it would be worth the effort?

[Frank DeForrest]

No big centralized government that is further removed from the will of the people is the problem.
Political parties are nothing more than window dressing.

[burdell]

I don't know if it's possible to eliminate parties but I'd sure like to see a viable plan to eliminate the two-party system in the US, I believe it's a bigger threat to America than any external threat.

[Memphis1979]

However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.

GEORGE WASHINGTON, Farewell Address, Sep. 17, 1796

Smart man

[emcee squared]

Originally Posted by burdell

I don't know if it's possible to eliminate parties but I'd sure like to see a viable plan to eliminate the two-party system in the US, I believe it's a bigger threat to America than any external threat.

Absolutely. American's are a greater threat to America than anyone on the outside.

[Neuling]

Originally Posted by Memphis1979

However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.

GEORGE WASHINGTON, Farewell Address, Sep. 17, 1796

Smart man

Interesting. Seems he had a crystal ball

I wonder where and under which circumstances the first political parties were established.

[Memphis1979]

Originally Posted by Neuling

Interesting. Seems he had a crystal ball

I wonder where and under which circumstances the first political parties were established.

Basic premise, small federal government vs. large federal government.

The "federalists" under Hamilton felt that a strong central government that could set trade and regulate the economy, as well as an "interpreted" view of the constitution.

The "Democratic-Republicans" under Jefferson felt that we needed a constrained federal government, and a nation of small farmers was what was best for the nation, as well as a strict constructional view of the constitution.

Jefferson yielded, and we've allowed for interpretation of the constitution ever since.

We allow for the constitution to be interpreted, and its really been the entire history of our nation.

[burdell]

Originally Posted by emcee squared

Absolutely. American's are a greater threat to America than anyone on the outside.

"We have met the enemy and he is us!" _________Pogo (Walt Kelly)

Interestlingly enough, something Walt Kelly told John Laurence, a CBS correspondent, while on a bender in Vietnam.

[Casper in Dallas]

Rome fell apart from within long before it fell to outsiders, we have a choice but the Only way it works is if we stop the BS and work together.

[bnepler]

Jefferson was right! Do away with the D and the R.