Party Assessment

In American society there is a two party system. This is the way it is, and the way it has been since the founders made the Constitution. But the question remains, is this the best way to govern America?

When assessing the two party system one finds a lot of holes and problems in it. In my opinion the biggest problem with the two party system is that there just isn’t enough of a difference between the two parties to provide much of a choice. Sure the two parties have differences, but are they really all that dramatically different? The Democrats want one thing, so the Republicans want something that is different, but not too different. Sadly that is the way that our politics seem to go. Not to say that I’m a huge fan of radical third parties or anything, but it is nice to see some different opinions out there. The American people do not have much of choice when it comes to choosing parties, or is it that the American people don’t want much of a choice?

Maybe the reason why there isn’t much of a choice between the two main parties is that the people don’t want much of a change. We as the people like the idea that if we become dissatisfied with the party that is currently in power, by making a change, that isn’t much of a change at all, to the other main party. This allows us to feel that we have more power than we actually do, and that we are really making a difference by electing one party over the other. In reality we aren’t really making a change that is going to matter all that much. In my opinion that is the biggest problem with the current two party system, both parties are too similar. If we ever want to make a real change in this country one of these days we are going to have to step out side the box and vote for something a little different. But, as of right now we have a two party system involves two parties that are too similar.

One Vote

You know when you go to the polls to vote and after your done you get handed a little sticker that reads, “I Voted”? How many people out there put that sticker on and wear it throughout the rest of the day because they are proud that they voted? Or, how many take the sticker and throw it away because they are not proud they voted, but felt they had to? Personally, I take the sticker and proudly wear it, in fact I still have the sticker from the first time I voted. That sticker I never wore, but kept it because I was proud of my first vote. This week the issue of why should people vote came up, with various responses. Some feel that people should vote because it is their civic duty, others feel people should vote based only on the issues, and others still, feel people should vote because of partisan identification, and so on and so forth. You could sit for hours thinking of reasons why people should vote, but in the end only the person going to do the voting knows why they are there.

People may be influenced to go vote because of partisan identification. Many people feel a strong allegiance to one party or another and so they go to vote because of it. This is not wrong. Honestly, this is probably the biggest reason why I go vote. The reasons for why people identify with a certain party can vary. Many times it is because of how they were raised. If someone is raised in a predominantly Republican, or predominantly Democratic household that person is more than likely to grow up with those same predominant ties. But by doing this isn’t that person limiting themselves and failing to fully educate themselves on the whole wide range of issues and party’s? Some people identify with a certain party because they feel that party best supports the issues they care most about. For example, someone voting for the Republican party all the time because they care most about domestic security and abortion, or someone voting for the Democratic party because they are most concerned about the economy and health care. But by doing this isn’t that person ignoring other issues of looking past the individual candidates policies and just voting for the party’s general stance on issues?

Many other people vote basing their decisions solely on the issues. Many care only about one or two issues, like the aforementioned abortion or health care. These people will take this issue into their heads and think that issue and only that issue when making their decisions, choosing that candidate that best represents their stance on the issue. They may not necessarily choose because of party ID, but instead based only on the issue most important to them. Others, may look at more than one issue, but only pick issues that are going to affect them. For example, a college student looking only at issues that pertain to the rising tuition costs and other educational issues. But by doing this aren’t these people being selfish and ignoring all the other issues that they may not care as much about or that do not affect them, but do in fact affect others. There are many issues at stake whether in a local or national election, and ignoring the issues that do not concern you personally may be close minded and is also not doing anything to help the people whom the other issues do affect.

As I said earlier you can sit all day coming up with reasons why people vote, and reasons why they should vote, but you will never get a concrete answer. In the end the reasons why people vote don’t matter, because no matter how much you discuss why and how should they vote, it is never going to change the reasons that one particular person does. Everyone has their own ideas and agendas when going to the polls, and votes according to whatever logic drives them there. In the end though, everyone must remember voting is a right and a privilege. They should not take it for granted. Even though I may not agree with who the person standing next to me is voting for or for the reasons why they chose that person, I still have to remember that they are there enacting their right. They are voting on what they believe is right, as am I. So, no matter what the reason is that got you to the polls, just remember that when your done and the little old lady behind the table gives that sticker, wear it on your shirt for the rest of the day and be proud because you voted.

The Minority

In America we are accustomed to a two party system. For the most part the power in the government belongs to two parties, the democrats and the republicans. When one of these parties is in power in the government they are called the “majority” party, and the other party is referred to as the “minority” party. The role of the majority party in government is quite obvious. They are the party in control and has the most power. But, what exactly is the role of the minority party? Do they have role? Is it an important role that even matters? Well, let’s find out.

The role of the minority party is basically to try it’s best to influence the majority and to try to get it’s policies heard and passed. When party loses an election they then step into the role of the “minority” or “opposition” party. When this happens the party then takes the role of the opposition party and does their best with it. They stay strong and confident, doing what they can, all the while having the confidence that the political system will protect their rights to organize and speak out until it is their time to campaign again.

The role of the minority party is important. Without the minority party government would be too easy. The majority party needs that opposition in order to get good work done. The minority party is able to express their ideas and position themselves in such a way that they can get their ideas and policies included. Without that the majority would pretty much have it their way too much of the time. It is important for the minority party to stay strong and try to accomplish what they can, so when they have a chance to campaign again they can have a stronger base to run and have more momentum.