The Two Party System - Outdated Since 1796

Written by Skipper Kagamaster

Wednesday, 23 June 2010 16:24

In case you haven't noticed, Americans love their teams. 106 million people watched the last Superbowl¹. The sports industry in America is a $400+ billion affair². It's impossible to drive down the street without seeing bumper stickers, license plate frames, and even flags proudly displaying the driver's favorite team. And why not? Rallying behind your local football team builds comraderie, solidarity, and puts those face paints you bought in bulk to good use.

Unfortunately, this team based philosophy has creeped its way into our political thinking. But unlike the NFL, we only have two franchises to choose from when it comes to political "teams." Can you imagine an NFL with only two teams? It's a bit of a stretch to think that people would come out in droves to watch the Oakland Raiders square off against the Cleveland Browns, but that game would look like a blockbuster next to the matchup between most Republicans and Democrats. It's no wonder we have a voter turnout wavering between 35-65%.

Let's just go ahead and state what everyone around the country is thinking: neither the Democrat nor the Republican party represent the citizens. Consider that, while 91% of the people "lean" towards one or the other major party, only 63% actually identify with them³. This is the consequence of having only two choices at the ballot box; at least 28% of the people favoring either the Democrats or the Republicans are doing so simply because there are no better choices out there, and an additional 9% are so uninterested in the two major picks that they don't favor either. How much do you want to bet that remaining 63% is also less than thrilled with the two major parties? As proof, you don't have to search any further than voter turnout. Express your opinion on the topic

Looking at the last Presidential election, we see that Barak Obama carried the day with 52.87% of the popular vote and a whopping 61.6% voter turnout⁴. That means President Obama was elected by an overwhelming 32.6% of the American voting public. In 2004, George Bush was reelected by a mandate-making 30.8% of the voting public⁵. Bear in mind that the 2004 election boasted the highest voter turnout since 1968⁵, and the 2008 election turnout surpassed that of 2004⁴.

When we move to mid-term elections, the numbers get even worse. Voter turnout for the 2006 election was clocked at 37.1%⁶, and in the 2002 election at 36.3%⁷. That means that Diane Feinstein was elected by a big 23.9% of Californians, Hillary Clinton by an outstanding 23.4% of New Yorkers, and Trent Lott by a tidal wave-like 18.7% of Mississippians⁸.

How did we get to such a low state of affairs in this country's governance? If only we could have seen this coming; if only we were warned! Oh, wait; we were. In 1796.

Since this warning was obviously thrown aside, it would do us well to revisit it. In 1796, our first president bid farewell to the office. Among other things, George Washington penned this quip aimed at eschewing factional politics like the two party system:
"The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge natural to party dissention, 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."

Let's modernize that a bit. Basically, what Washington is saying is, "Party rivalry will naturally come to the point where each party's goal is simply to beat the other party in order to gain and abuse power. But it doesn't stop there. Since the parties' abuse of power will cause people to lose faith in them, people will turn from following a party to following an individual. Eventually, a strong leader from one of the major parties will rally this public sentiment into a personal power base, and this will destroy freedom in our country."

America was founded as a Representative Republic, meaning the person you elect is supposed to represent you and your ideology. Ask yourself: how well did the last Democrat or Republican you voted for reflect your views? How closely did they mirror your values?

Maybe it's time to jump ship and set sail with someone who more closely represents who you are, and what you believe. Is that us? Check out our platform. Browse our forums. Join the fight against the two party system. If we don't represent you, go find someone who does; but whatever you do, don't settle for the status quo.

In America, we all depend on each other for the gifts this country has allowed us to enjoy; freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the right to be whatever our God, will, and imagination lead us to be. We the People are the government, but the government is broken. Since we broke it, we can fix it. Be part of the solution.