Frightful Despotism...

"I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the State, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally.

This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed; but, in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy.

The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty.

Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of sight), the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it.

It serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which finds a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passions. Thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another.

There is an opinion that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the government and serve to keep alive the spirit of liberty. This within certain limits is probably true; and in governments of a monarchical cast, patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favor, upon the spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged. From their natural tendency, it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose. And there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be by force of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume."

-George Washington's Farewell Address- 1796

I would love nothing more to say this was an original thought, but someone else 212 years ago said if first. Until we realize what our system has become, failure becomes more and more inevitable. Arguments for the sake of arguments, stance on party principle rather than public welfare, and perpetual rhetoric from one side to another; these are just a few atrocities we're subjected to on a daily basis.

Dead Mans Party...

At what point do you wake up and realize your government has failed you? What will it take, complete dissolution of our beloved nation, death by war, or just death by taxation? Do you think your chosen representatives are acting in your best interests? Are your best interests consistent with those of only one party or the other? What happens when our system of checks and balances ceases to exist? Are we there yet? We heard for two years about change the next administration will bring. The rhetorical buzzword of the day, change. The problems our nation faces today can be traced back to the eight years prior, and only those eight years...what’s the answer, “change”! Is this what we’re led to believe? Do you believe that?

There is change indeed folks, don’t kid yourselves. From right to left that is. The same garbage partisanship government we’ve grown painfully accustomed to switched sides overnight January 20th. Of course the perennial political buzzword is bipartisanship, better yet the disengaging from bipartisanship rather. Year after year after year, we hear the same spiel from Washington. “We’re going to be friends now so we can better serve you, the bourgeoisie, the poor, the stupid, the gullible, our money tree.” Do you also believe that?

At what point in time do you recognize that our two-party system is not fulfilling the obligations set forth by our constitution. This is not what our Founders envisioned. Our government exists to serve the people at the will of the people.

"In free governments the rulers are the servants and the people their superiors and sovereigns." – Benjamin Franklin -- Seems we’ve gone awry somewhere.