Episode 123 S3-42
Dangers of a Two Party System
Featuring:
The Walls of Freedom Ch 42
Special Guest:
Dave Shestokas

Now-a-days our political system in America focuses around two parties: Democrats and Republicans. The dual party system exists because of the presidential elections. It hasn't always been Democrats and Republicans. George Washington was a Federalist and he was succeeded by a Federalist. However the powers at be realized a long time ago that you couldn't elect a president without a large group of people behind you. It took a massive effort to win the majority of the electoral college.
Originally the number one electoral vote winner became president and the second runner up became vice president. Once competition intensified for the presidential role, it was decided that this was a bad idea. Competitors would become partners and this did not work out well. History has shown a long pattern of nitty gritty competition between the two dominate parties for control of Washington. Although, it may seem worse now-a-days it is not. There is more media coverage to bring us a play by play of every moment, which makes it seem like there is more conflict.
The Federalists eventually evolved into the Wiggs. The Wiggs party eventually split into the North and South during the Civil War. Lincoln founded the Republican party in 1856 from the Northern Wigg party. The current Democratic party was started with Andrew Jackson.
Although other parties exist they don't get as much air time. The Democrats and Republicans have become one "in charge" party. The image of competition keeps the populous entertained while they manipulate laws to favor keeping their parties in power. For example, the parties set political entrance deadlines with arbitrary dates that only someone planning a career in politics would be aware of. These types of rules favor the currently established career politicians who can make politics a full time job.
The current political parties do their best to block the entrance of any new parties. It is true that independents do make it onto the ballets through state dictated signature requirements but rarely do they make it all the way to a national stage. Usually if the independents have a quality idea, the idea is consumed into one of the major parties that may or may not act upon it.
Technology may be the best friend of new political entrants, currently. Technology has made it possible to reach individuals on a broad basis without the assistance of traditional media outlets. For example the Libertarian and Green Parties have gained quite a foothold due to this emergence of technology.
In Mr. Shestoka's opinion, President Trump has been doing his very best to follow the laws of the Constitution and only make decisions based on the rights afforded him through the Constitution. If there is a major decision that needs to be made and the Constitution does not allow him to make that call he has been asking Congress to step up and do their job. Mr. Shestokas feels that if another major party is going to be created anytime soon, it will probably start with Mr. Trump. During his presidential election he broke a lot of molds to get elected and this momentum could help him to start a new successful political party.
Featured Quote From Today's Chapter:
“We did what we thought was right for our loved ones."

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