Two-party system limits Americans' electoral choices

Wednesday, September, 12, 2012; 10:25 PM | 9 | | Print

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When the founding fathers came together in 1776 to create one of the most powerful nations in history, we can safely assume they would not have expected America to be what it is today.

Despite a foundation of principles thought to revolutionize government, our government is in disarray. As time has gone on, political gridlock and division have only intensified. 

By far, the largest factor in our government’s inability to get anything done is the two-party system.

How many times do we find ourselves asking the question, which is the lesser of the two evils in regard to our elections? 

Sometimes the choice may be clear-cut, but all too often even the candidate who holds the same party affiliation as you is undesirable.

When the choice of candidates is narrowed to two, you are presented with the issue of both candidates having opinions that fundamentally differ from yours. 

Maybe you like the fiscal policies of one candidate, but prefer the social ones of the other, or vice versa. 

Obviously, it would be unrealistic to expect a candidate to perfectly fit your expectations, but our government is the other extreme.

Even more depressing, how truly different are our two candidates? In campaigns, all we ever hear about are either the different tax plans or social issues. 

Sure, other issues definitely enter the political sphere, such as guns, border control and healthcare, but how often are new ideas presented?

Recently, President Barak Obama proposed and passed a health care reform bill. 

Other than that, politicians rarely bring new ideas to the table. Brainstorming is stagnant.

There are obviously huge issues we need to deal with, such as balancing the budget, controlling the border (both in regard to drugs and illegal immigrants), civil rights, etc. 

And yet, even though only two years ago we once again reached the debt ceiling, and even though there is uncontrolled drug violence raging throughout our country, it seems that the two parties dance around these issues, unwavering, unwilling to make compromises and get things
done.

George Washington warned his colleagues about such a system. 

In his farewell address, he said, “I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the state, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations. 

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A version of this article appeared in the Sep 13 issue of the Collegiate Times.

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Anonymous | # September 13, 2012 @ 9:48 PM — Flag Comment

while I hear what you're saying, there will always be two parties. Even if there are side parties, it will always be optimal for them to band together and form a unified platform in order for them to achieve the most votes.
I love when this argument always comes up though because people always complain about this but have no clue as to how to force there to be multiple parties.

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