Friday, December 18, 2009

Two Party System

Our country is in serious trouble, both domestically and internationally.
Yet, those we elect continue to battle one another, seeking a political edge, rather then address the problems which plague our nation.

Whether the subject is education, energy, health care, government oversight, or our security, the political class fails the American people time and again.

The following commentary will address issues which are vital to our nation’s survival. And, for those who do not see the seriousness of the
problems we face, a look to our history will provide clarity.

In order to put our nation on a course which will strengthen us requires
attacking to



This election has triggered my mind to think through my opinion about the two-party system and how it undermines the principles on which our nation was founded. After learning that I am a Republican, this commentary may be at first viewed as “sour grapes”, but indulge me to state my argument.

First, the Republican-led Congress failed to do what it said it would do. It took control in 1994 on a “contract”, with a list, including as a principle, to
rid Congress of corruption. This above all was its greatest failure, and if for no other reason, is enough for them to lose their leadership.

But, this commentary will not be laundry list of Republican failures, these can be found elsewhere.

No, the “laundry list” I will provide is an argument to get Americans to consider defusing the power of the two-party system, which weakens our ability to be an unshackled representative democracy as outlined in our Constitution.

For the more than two-hundred years since our founding Congress has saddled the American people with amendments to the Constitution, and
new laws and regulations as our country has grown. Much of these changes
were necessary as our country’s growth demanded an evolving governing process.

But, Congress has done much more, consuming more and more power over the people who “employ” them. Often going well-beyond “original intent” as laid out by our Founders.

I chose two dramatic changes which were both deliberately avoided when our Constitution was written, and for good reason.

The first was how members of the Senate were chosen, and the second, the Sixteen Amendment, the income tax.

First, Senators were selected by states’ government, not state residents.
This was done to ensure the best interests of state were represented, not citizens, which is role of the House or Representatives, known as “the people’s House” from the very beginning.

This obscure change was major, for it eliminated a carefully defined balance between states and its citizens to one where state interests had little, if any Congressional representation.

Secondly, the income tax. If you ever wondered why the Constitution had
no mention of an income tax, a review of history will provide the answer.
Our Founders knew from their experience as a colony what a burden an individual tax would place on its citizens. And for this reason the money to fund our government would be generated by commerce, not from the citizen.

One final point, since Senatorial elections and the income tax were enacted the two-party system became so powerful, it is almost impossible for either a third party, of an independent to seriously challenge their lock on governing.

Aside from these two examples there are additional problems with the current two-party system.

First and foremost is how we are governed. Under the current system,
the Congressional structure is made up of committees, with the majority party having leadership in each and every committee, not withstanding the credentials of the individual on them. This means the most qualified person may not be the person who chairs a committee, merely the person who receives the most votes, always along party lines.


With this election a major change occurred, one not seen since 1994. Both
houses of Congress would be controlled by the Democrats. This is the accepted reality of how the two-party system governs our country.

The American people know, don’t question it, nor challenge the inenffiencies 

In the American media's post-election evaluation little time is being spent understanding how value of the two-party system offer negates any opportunity to provide the American
people the best governing process.

The media, as well as most Americans, who align themselves with the major
political parties do not see, or perhaps ignore the failure of the two-party system.

Only political outsiders, or non-inclusive party members see the fractured nature of governance.

Perhaps, this commentary will introduce evidence to identify how the two-party system has failed the American people.

Let's begin with this week's election results,  in which the Democrats regain the  majority in both the House and Senate. Think what this changeover actually did.

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