Opinion The Farce that is Americas Political Party System

Opinion The Farce that is Americas Political Party System Photo credit: Channel Guide Magazine But we also participated in the un-American. In a country founded on a common need for self-expression, we divide ourselves because of our personal justifications. If political parties do nothing else to the American people, they cause division where unity might have otherwise existed. Yes, we live in a country where opinions can be expressed openly, but should we chastise others because of our inability to see past our own convictions? Do we have the right to predicate our individual stances at the expense of a greater population? George Washington cautioned against the formation of political parties, foreshadowing the inevitable division of a united nation: It [political parties] 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 It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which finds 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. Even our 2012 presidential candidates  state that we must work together as one people. In his victory speech, President Barack Obama stated, “We are an American family and we rise and fall together as one nation and as one people.” In his concession speech, Governor Mitt Romney stressed the importance of working together. “Our leaders have to reach across the isle and do the people’s work…our citizens have to rise to the occasion.” The message is inherently the same. Without working together, we will not progress. Our financial woes, our energy issues, healthcare controversies, education shortcomings- none of  these  concerns  will get better until we can gain common ground and work within  its parameters. We are literally on the brink of success or failure, and the choice is very much in our hands. Governor Mitt Romney refers to it as a “critical point”. Working together is no longer an option, it is a necessity. Our own Constitution speaks of the  importance of forming a more perfect union. We must work to establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, and secure the blessings of liberty to all. Idealistic? Absolutely. But these were ideals we were meant to strive for as one people, one community. Has the role of political parties disrupted the goal of domestic tranquility? Argument and the defending of one’s honor is a natural human response, but is rioting because your candidate didn’t win necessary? Does bashing those who support the opposite party accomplish anything productive? Is it possible that we have forgotten just how the implementation of our liberties manifested? Maybe it is time we readopt a little more George Washington philosophy and a little less partisan divide.