A Rant Against the Two-Party System

Two of your options. Not your only options.
Photo taken from DonkeyHotey

James Madison knew it when he warned against factions in the Federalist Papers (the 10th one, specifically): Nothing good can come from a fracturing of a republic. As the election draws closer, and as our political climate becomes more and more partisan, it seems clear to me that the two-party system has reinforced the adverse effects of factions. We have voting laws being passed in states like Pennsylvania where the State House majority leader (a Republican) admitted the laws were designed to work against Democrats and to take away their ability to vote to ensure a Republican presidency in 2012. We have Harry Reid attacking Romney in all sorts of ways, from his faith to his taxes. Problems are left unfixed, legislation left blocked, and an overall sense of bitterness, aggression and spite within the political discourse in the United States prevails.

The two-party system is nothing new. Going all the way back to the Federalists and Anti-Federalists, there have always been two opposing views that seem to dominate American government. That doesn’t mean it isn’t a problem. I am convinced, given the last few elections, that we are at a tipping point where a third party is going to have an opportunity to step up and bring new ideas and new personalities to Washington. Unfortunately, it probably won’t be this election cycle, despite a third party candidate (Gary Johnson) being on the ballot. Realistically, we’re stuck with choosing between the same plan that’s been mediocre at  best these past 4 years, or returning to a plan that failed us as recently as 4 years ago. We shouldn’t have to choose between the lesser of two evils. There are more ideas out there than just a left and right wing agenda. Until we get past the idea that we only have two options, we will only be left with two options.

So yes, there’s a problem. We’re stuck with two ideologies that have lost sight of the goal of governance and more interested in undermining the other party. This isn’t something that’s just started happening recently, and I know I’m not the first to point out that it’s broken. But I wrote this to draw your attention to it, and to encourage you to vote, but to vote as an educated citizen. Look at ALL of the candidates who are running, and decide for yourself who the best person to run the country is. Don’t let the ads or the little letters next to the candidates’ names tell you who to vote for. Make the decision yourself, and think about who will fix the country in a way you want.

Friends of mine like to say that they won’t vote for a third party because it’s a wasted vote. However, there are only two kinds of wasted votes: (1) Not voting and (2) voting for someone you don’t agree with.