I do not overly identify with one specific party over the other. This is, in part, due to the fact that I am not a “joiner”, the type of person who feels comfortable with letting others’ opinions represent, or take place of, my own. Another factor is that I have little appreciation for the types of people who spout political talking points as if they were gospel truths. I am very critical of the two party system. I find it to be a cancer that is destroying the health of this nation. All of this is not to say that I do not have stances on issues. I have some beliefs that align more closely with the Republican party (particularly gun rights), but more that align with the Democratic party (economic issues, civil rights). I am one of those people who are not represented well by the two party system, and perhaps would align more closely with a third party.
To postulate on an America without political parties is akin to arguing whether Spiderman could beat Batman in a fight. It is an unnecessary exercise in fantasy. I think we do not need political parties, anymore than one “needs” a terminal illness. Political parties serve to act as a system of control, kept in place by special interests and wealthy donors, actively working against the best interests of the country. This isn’t to say that nothing of value is done through the political party system, but the detriment overshadows any benefit. The problem with a non party system is that funding for national campaigns, and to a lesser extent state races, are expensive, and public funding of races would be necessary to supplement the funding brought by the party system. This is unlikely, seeing as how many Americans are opposed to doing anything for the good of society if it requires sacrifice.
I have a mixture of three parties, some of which would seem incongruous to some people. I used to identify as a Libertarian, and went through all of the literature “necessary” to libertarians (Mises, Rothbard, Hayek, Rand), and immersed myself fully. Only after examination of the economic policies did I find that the separation between reality and the ideal economic model of the Libertarians is too vast to ignore. I do, however, still have a lot of libertarian leanings, such as a belief in the repeal of drug laws and non interventionist foreign policy. The Green party represents what I believe is needed economically, with a focus on eliminating the juggernaut-like effect of money on the oppression of others. I have little desire to create a “fair” system, as I believe fairness is in the realm of fantasy where Spiderman and Batman roam, but I do think the power of the wealthiest needs to be diminished, and as such, I think some redistribution of wealth is necessary. The Socialist party’s stance on reform of the prison-industrial complex and the elimination of corporate welfare aligns with my beliefs. Plus, if you join the Socialist party, I think they give you a free Che Guevara shirt upon entrance.
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