“There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader, and concerting measures in opposition to each other. This, in my humble apprehension, is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution.” -John Adams

The above admonishment of John Adams in the infancy of our republic was scarcely enough to prevent the inevitable bifurcation into our current (two party) system.  Adams’ fear, judging by the current state of our political conversation, was well founded.  The dreaded division which he speaks of threatens to tear our nation asunder at the renewal of every debate and at the end of every statement or declaration which comes from one of our elected representative’s mouth.

Is this the sovereign republic which we declared to the world in 1776 and the manifestation of the philosophy of our founders?  I would most humbly argue against any who claims that it is.

In the writings of our founding fathers we can derive nothing more than their wish for us to live in peace.  Their modest hope was that each man could live according to his own choosing an ocean away from the troubles and entangling alliances of Europe and an ocean away from the problems and wars and oppression that plagued that continent for so long. In Thomas Jefferson’s first inaugural address he attempted to paraphrase what he believed the foundations of American liberty were set upon.  He wrote, “Equal and exact justice to all men, of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political; peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none.”   This, Jefferson believed to be the foundations of American democracy.  Washington before him believed in these things as well, even though they were considered of competing ideologies which brings to light that Jefferson’s axiom clearly applies here: “What all agree upon is probably right; what no two agree in most probably is wrong.”

Modern ideologue political commentators have us believe that there are only two roads in our political discourse and that is to the right and the left.  Each side, individually claims to be more centrist than the other and at the same time, each side accuses the other of being extreme to their end of the political spectrum.  This constant babbling and the absolute obfuscation of facts have left the public confused, apathetic and disillusioned to our democratic process.

The two parties with their talking points have become very efficient at destroying the definition of fact; rather, the definition of truth.  Hearing both parties speak about an anonymous spending bill, one for and one against, you’ll soon learn that the bill is capable of saving the government billions while simultaneously bankrupting the government.  If an environmental regulation bill is brought to the table, you’ll hear that the proposed bill saves the environment while subsequently destroying it.  While both sides to an argument normally always have merit, we’re missing the point where facts are facts, not topics to dance around. “Facts are stubborn things; “, John Adams once argued. “…and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.”

Clearly, our two party system has become too much a competition rather than a legislative body reflecting the will of the people.  What was intended by our founders to be a government of the people has depreciated into a government of the party - parties which cannot adequately and accurately represent the entire majority, in all situations.  A vote for a party representative does not always indicate a strict endorsement of the party’s political doctrine. Having these predetermined agendas in place creates an artificial punch card for the belief system of the electorate, discouraging open discussion, debate and beliefs that stray from the mainstream red state/blue state ideologies of our current system, mainly due to convenience. 

Time and time again, the public has shown that it will move to the easier method of doing anything.  I firmly believe that politics should not be prepackaged. “An enlightened citizenry is indispensable for the proper functioning of a republic. Self-government is not possible unless the citizens are educated sufficiently to enable them to exercise oversight.” (Thomas Jefferson)

With these simple facts presented, and with the idea of brevity being kept in mind for this essay, I propose to the candid minds of the American electorate the thought of abolishing all political organizations with the intent to return ourselves back to our humble beginnings.  American democracy should be based upon the will of an enlightened people, electing the best and most honest among their fellow citizens to the posts of representation inside the halls of congress.  These men should not wish upon or campaign for the post but be appointed to it by their friends and neighbors.  It is only then, that we can rest certain that the individuals who we choose to represent us, will act in our best interest.