So I have a radical new idea for saving this country, not just economically, not just from the terrorists, but encompassing all of that.
No one will like this idea, yet it strikes me as the best idea for fixing this stinking mass of bureaucracy that is American politics. Are you ready for it??
Get Rid Of The Parties
That's it. Dump the party system. It's no longer applicable. This idea came to me while watching the President's most recent State of the Union address. In this speech, and in any other major one, there's the usual entreaties for "bipartisan action" and "reaching across the aisle." Well what if there were no party to part on? What if there was no aisle to reach across? What if it was just people with ideas about how to fix things, how to get and stay on track, instead of two parties forever bickering and name-calling? Actions instead of factions? Hey, now there's an idea...
Let me say right now by way of rebuttal that I can't see this ever happen; neither party has the guts to do it. Everyone would throw their own high-sounding arguments into the mix and probably call me a Nazi. Neither the Republicans nor the Democrats would ever give up their positions, their status, their power, for the good of the country. Everyone wants to talk about the "greater good" for which things must be sacrificed, but when it comes down to it, it's mostly "I'm sticking with my party because I'm sure as heck not going to be seen on yours."
Meanwhile, while the politicians squabble and fight here, we've got thousands of courageous men and women all over the world sacrificing their lives to defend the freedom that these people are trying to destroy.
I imagine instead a country where the people voted into office are there because they were deemed to be the best man or woman for the job, not because their party had the biggest constituency or because their campaign had the most money. Dream with me! What if the people in office truly were the ones the American people had seen as the most qualified?
Granted, this means people would actually have to start giving a hoot instead of just voting a party ticket. The burden of responsibility would be on you to know the credentials, the worldview, of each candidate; no longer would you be able to vote your party because hey, better than voting for the other party's guy, right? People wouldn't get to be lazy with this system. You would actually have to reflect on what you value and vote for the person that best upholds those values.
I honestly cannot imagine how drastically this country could be changed for the good of all were people voted for simply for their ability to get the job done. Can I say that again? Their ability to Get The Job Done. The working populace is familiar with this idea. You interview for a job, and you promote yourself as the one who can do the job the best. If the company agrees, you're hired; if not, someone more qualified than you got the job. Of course, there are obvious exceptions.
Like I said, though I strongly believe in this idea, I don't believe it will ever happen, because neither party would let it. They'll continue their grasping, fighting, and tearing down of the other party at the expense of this country we call America and its citizens.
Want true bipartisanship? Don't expect to see it while there are two parties, especially from those advocating it; they really just want the other side to change and agree with them. Look instead for the people who advocate a team. A team can have vastly different people on it, but it's often that diversity, while working for a common goal, that generates the best ideas and solutions.
Anyone for a game of team Fix America?
