Party time 103016

Party time is lots noise, music, balloons, confetti and free flowing champagne.  All true but the celebration for this years election finds the noise confused, music off key the balloons popped, confetti littering the floor and champagne flat.

In the United States the two political parties have put forth mutually despised candidates.  With little choice voters have fallen back on party labels to cast their votes.  The problem is that neither candidate reflects the tradition philosophy of their parties.  The reality is that the parties themselves are unsure what their philosophy now embraces.  Parties shot themselves in both feet by establishing procedures that limited open choice candidates.  Under the two party system viable candidates were unable to get traction for nomination.  Even before the conventions the outcomes were forgone conclusions.  The reality is that party conventions are relegated to expensive media shows that have become politically irrelevant. 

The shows do serve a purpose they delude masses that their opinions matter.  The show builds hysterical excitement but allows no choice, candidates and platforms are already determined.  It's a campaign extravagance hold over from the old days when state delegates actually openly debated platform planks and chose candidates.  The result is that the United States' two party system has evolved into umbrella parties where the loudest control the message, owning both the candidate and platform.  The public's lack of free choice is obscured by the professional showmanship.  The two party system has actually become a major step away from democracy.  A major step to the right where people are given little choice in the next four years of government.  Voting a party labels are no help as the labels no longer reflect philosophy.

Third parties may be true to their philosophy but lack the funding to blitz a jaded public.  It maybe time for a multi-party system where voters know what candidates really stand for, or at least a ballot option for "None of the Above."

Before embracing multi-party systems take a look at the options.  Many countries already have multiple parties which fare little better than the U.S. two parties.  Whatever the label, party leaders follow their own agendas that often diverge from that of the rank and file.  Membership continues to vote the label out of past loyalty even when party leaders go in a different direction.

Question what the party stands for and if candidates support the platform.  Candidates now are independent of party and establish their own agendas forcing allegiance of party loyalty.   The news media, enjoying campaign champagne, fails to inform by feeding the horse race excitement.

It is time to reform the two party system or voters must get use to crying over fallen confetti and swilling stale champagne.  The bubbles no longer tickle the nose but you can still get drunk over your winner.

Few remember when we voted for someone rather that the lessor of two evils.  Wouldn't it be nice to vote for someone?  We would really enjoy that party.