The Problem with a Bipartisan System

By: Marcus Phillips

Here in America, we have the opportunity and blessing of choosing who rules over us. Who governs us and who passes laws unto us is also within our grasp. With all this power tied up in our decisions, it is a wonder when we just can't seem to agree upon who best serves us.

But then, that is perhaps the essential problem; most Americans are selfish, and concerned only with how a candidate for any position in governance over them is going to effect them directly. A good deal of Americans are unwilling to sacrifice in their own lives to make the lives of their fellow Americans better.

Of course, in a communist doctrine, everyone sacrifices so that even distribution may happen, and is intended to level the playing field and remove any and all seperations of class and wealth. While many people who are familiar with Marx and the outcome of his idealogies would say that the age of Communism failed with the U.S.S.R., they neglect to take into consideration that China is still thriving under a communist government (admittedly, with smatterings of capitalism, contradictory to Communist principles). Cuba, also, seems to chug along just fine, regardless of our embargo which prevents them from benifitting from the growing global market.

Getting back to the issue at hand, Americans are not willing to bow their heads in deference to either opposing position. In a country reputed to have incredible tolerance and acceptance, the intolerance and ignorance of those you hate only serves to damage how others might view America.

Who cares what others think of Americans, you might say. Well, for one, I do. Do I think that those people should dictate how we live our lives? Never. We are, after all, a land of freedom. But with freedom comes responsibility, and we are quite possibly the most influential nation in the world. Many infant economies are reliant upon our success, and the success we may have in the future.

Many nations are invested in us, though just as many would wish us to implode and let the world slip backwards. Some would say this is preferable. Admittedly, life was both less complex and harsher before the Industrial Revolution.

Yet are we to abandon all the progress we have made and step away from the future, which might be the only means to save our failing ecosystem? Some say it may already be too late.

All of this indicates that during a time in history when we need to accept that the world is a shrinking place, and that borders and nations themselves are becoming less material and more constructs of the mind, we need to supplant our indifference and arrogance and learn from the many religious and peace-bearing leaders throughout the past; humility and acceptance can do much for the future.

We are in a war. Some argue that we have no reason to be there; this isn't the point. We have invaded another country without provocation (As per recent news), however, we are there. We have a responsibility to follow through, or else we truly are the arrogant monsters that many countries think we are. The world is not our plaything, and we cannot treat it as such; we need to finish what we started, for doing anything half-way is a bad business in any sort of manner.

Do I believe in the War? No. I have personally seen no reason to commit to this action, other than Saddam is a bad person (which is TRUE). Do I believe in our troops? I grew up in a household with someone who served in the Air Force for twenty years of their life. As such, I missed out on some personal relationship with one of my parents. I believe in what the armed forces swore their oaths for, and I believe in letting them do their JOBS.

Essentially, the war should not be an issue this election season. The war should never have BEEN an issue. While I do not personally agree with many of Bushes policies, I will say that once you commit to something you shouldn't back out until it is finished.

While the Iraq War is the plug-word of the season, most Americans don't even realize more important things are occurring in the halls of our Congress.

The way we live is what an Election should be held on. What problems are there with how we live our lives? How can we improve them? That should be what candidates should campaign with. But why SHOULD they when there is so much they can distract us with? Surely America must be more concerned with things happening on the other side of the world, and what their military is doing than what their government may be doing while our eyes are elsewhere.

Realize that both Democrats AND Republicans benefit more with smoke and mirrors than they would if they were honest about the directions they want to take things. Remember one thing; if someone has reason to lie to you, you should question their motives and honesty. If in some way they benefit from the lie, what keeps them from doing so?

There are other parties out there, and how. For most any philosophy there is an ideology. The three better known alternatives are the Libertarians, the Greens, and the Independants. There is also a Communist Party, and a Fascist Party, neither of which gain much airtime (And the last certainly being un-PC).

But why throw your vote away on a Party that doesn't even count? Realize one thing; the Party doesn't count because you don't consider them. If you are truly content with all things that your party does, by all means, stick by them. If you have no differences or conflictions with their behavior, be steadfast and loyal. However, as is true with faith and religion, a political opinion that is not truly tested isn't worthy to even consider, and only proves you are good at being told what to do.

As is apparent with many people this election season, they seem to be very good at being told what to think. The "Evil Liberals" are trying to "Undermine our American Way of Life" through lies, deceit and propoganda. The "Evil Republicans" are "Nazi, Fascist pigs who want nothing more than a Police State". And there is no choice, you must choose one of these two or not at all. And if you DON'T choose? Then you're a lazy person who must obviously not have a strong enough opinion about your own country to warrant a vote.

Realize something... being informed means hearing the rhetoric, recognizing the slander and mudslinging for what it is. Both Republicans and Democrats are guilty of it, and guilty of distraction methods in direct obfuscation of what our country stands for.

Informed decision-making requires exploration, it requires a life of examining your own biases and leanings, it demands of you to seek truth wherever it may be found; within your own spheres of knowledge or without.

And truly, that is what being an American should represent; the power of a single individual to manifest their own destiny. To choose for themselves what is right, rather than be guided by the two great hands of the foremost Parties of our times.

I leave it to you to decide what you want to do, as neither I nor anyone else can tell you what to think. You should be allowed the right to free your own mind.