“I hate both parties, and can’t vote for either.” I completely empathize with that statement, and yet, I still believe in the two-party system. Here’s why.
Just this past week in Michigan, a group petitioned to get a third-party “Tea Party” candidate on the ballot. The problem was – no one from Michigan’s Tea Party was behind this.
Right now, it looks like the effort came from a progressive democrat group. Why? Because Democrats know that a Tea Party candidate is likely to siphon votes from the Republican side in this political climate.
Now, this strategy isn’t new. It’s been done countless times before. By both parties. Republican groups worked to get Nader on tickets during “Bush v. Kerry” because of how significant a role Nader played in the “Bush v. Gore” outcome.
So, the reason I believe in the two-party system is because the party I like least doesn’t want me to. My goal then becomes to reform both existing parties. Convince Republicans to take their beliefs on economic freedom and make them consistent across the social sphere. Convince Democrats to take their beliefs on personal freedom and make them consistent across the economic sphere.
It’s tempting to want to throw in the towel with these two parties and start over. But all that really means is letting the party you like least win without a fight.
By: Eric Olsen, Regular Columnist
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