It is time to accept – once and for all – that the archaic two-party paradigm in this country has run its course. It’s way (way) past time to shatter this debilitating dynamic forever.
The reason true change eludes us is that we always attempt it within the constraints of an irreparably broken system. The focus is always on tweaking different elements within the system instead of getting rid of the entire two-party system itself. This was never going to work because we are far beyond a small tweak here and there. We cannot vote our way out of this mess with our current two choices or within the toxic environment that has evolved around them.
Really think about it: If we just stick with the two major parties, overthrowing Congress at the voting booth is not only a fantasy it wouldn’t work anyway. Let’s say we replaced every single member of Congress. At this point, their replacements would be other Republicans and Democrats. Clearly, there aren’t 535 Abraham Lincolns running around in either party. But, even if both major parties had super deep benches filled with Lincolns, they would still be forced to operate within the failed two-party setup – and we’re all well aware that the destructive consequences of this dynamic get uglier and uglier by the day.
With every hour that passes – and with every decision being made – it becomes clearer that improving the lives of Americans is not the goal of most of our politicians. Instead, it’s all about the game.
The game of politics is being played by two ineffectual teams with nothing more in their arsenals than unconstitutional executive and “emergency” orders, high-dollar lobbying, self-serving earmarks, and despicable little tricks like gerrymandering and voter suppression. It’s the reason our checks and balances are out of whack, why government waste is colossal, and why lobbyists almost exclusively write our public policy.
The game of politics is why our total public debt is over $37 trillion, our total federal budget deficit is over $1.8 trillion, and why all three major credit rating agencies downgraded the U.S. debt rating. It’s the reason over 37 million Americans are trapped in poverty, why our inequality gaps in practically every category are massive, and why our Medicare and Social Security funds are virtually insolvent. It’s why we still have broken health care, education, and criminal justice systems, and why our immigration policy is a complete cluster#*^#.
The game of politics is the reason our closest allies are confused and concerned; why China is resurgent, and India and many other countries are resentful; why Russia was able to exploit our deep internal division and interfere in our sacred elections; why our exit from Afghanistan was a disaster; and why Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un are essentially shooting us the bird.
It cannot be denied: The game of politics has brought this country to the brink, to the point where we literally have no choice but to make serious, significant changes.
We're pretty sure most of us believe this to be true, but we always get stumped by the million-dollar question: How in the world do we do it?
In truth, there is only one logical answer to this question: To truly disrupt the game of politics, we must fundamentally change the way it is played. And, realistically, there is only one way to change the way it is played: Add more players to the game.
The fact is that the Democratic and Republican Parties have had over 170 years to get this right, yet things have progressively gotten worse. We cannot afford to waste any more time traveling the path of least resistance – and voting for the lesser of evils – simply because the two major parties, however wounded, believe they have the perpetual right to keep the playing field all to themselves.
They don’t.
It’s painfully obvious our fractured political system is not going to miraculously heal itself and, thanks in large part to our poisonous political environment, most of our leaders – who may otherwise be solid, decent people – are not going to suddenly mutate into brilliant problem-solvers. It just isn’t going to happen. And every minute we buy into that fairytale we lose valuable time.
This may sound depressing, but it’s actually liberating! To lose the delusion and accept the truth sets us free!
If you think we sound naïve, let us ask you: Why not? Why can’t smart and empowered people unite to demand a larger voice in defining our future? We have nothing to lose and everything to gain because the alternative is just not working.
It’s understandable that we “ordinary” Americans feel as powerless as David as we face the Goliath of special interest groups and national party affiliation, but there is strength in even relatively small numbers. Just consider the extraordinary power of special interest groups. They have enormous influence in Washington and exert unparalleled control over our leaders. The National Education Association (NEA), one of the top influences in the Democratic party, has only 3 million members but its efforts consistently obstruct a ton of educational proposals. The National Rifle Association (NRA) – the undisputed master of the Republican Party – has only 5 million members but blocks just about everything regarding gun control.
Hey, “ordinary” Americans, don’t forget that there are over 262 million adults in the United States. NEA members are only 1 percent of the entire adult population, and the NRA’s members are only 2 percent.
We're not completely delusional. We fully recognize the uphill battle we face. Without question, our current political system is designed to be an impenetrable fortress, purposefully constructed to protect the two-party system in every way. The Electoral College, ballot access and debate rules, and endless other hurdles combine to make the playing field extraordinarily inequitable for new players.
There is also little doubt that the Democratic and Republican parties will do everything possible to try to stop us because blowing up the two-party system threatens their very existence. It is in their best interests to keep us alienated from one another because when we finally join forces, their Machiavellian gig will be up. Our success is their worst nightmare because, when we prove that we are a force to be reckoned with, we will literally change the way this country is run.
BUT IT CAN BE DONE. This we know with ZERO doubt. There will always be people who fight to protect the status quo, but that’s really not even an option anymore. Clearly things can’t stay as they are, and we won’t change things if we are not daring, bold and brave.
We can absolutely change our direction, and we will. Regardless of our individual beliefs, it’s time we come together for positive progress. We have been underestimated long enough. Together we will overcome the tremendous challenges we face and, channeling our very best angels, unleash the greatest version of both our country and ourselves.
The American people are the most dynamic and innovative people in the entire world. We are courageous, convicted and confident, and we possess a unique sense of assertiveness and adaptability. We have all the ingredients we need – audacity, unlimited talent and intelligence, unparalleled freedom of opportunity, and vast economic resources – to cultivate the strength and goodness of America that we all know exists but that, thanks to partisan politics, has been compromised.