The Two Party System

"However [political parties] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion" - George Washington


America is politicly divided.  That's not the problem, disagreement is necessary in a heathy democracy.  The problem is it's politically in to two sides that have a stance on every issue.  You no longer vote on issues or candidates, you vote democrat or republican.  Sure, there are third (fourth, fifth, sixth, elevendysecond) parties but they are viewed as impractical for not acting within the two party system, and are usally way out of the realistic range of political actions anyway.


If we want to sustain democracy, this cannot stand.  A two party system is just a civil cold war between two one-party systems. 

I honestly belive that most people would vote for a third party if they thought it was a viable option, but settle for the party they are closest to.  So how can we solve this problem of inviablity?  My answer: start small.  On a local rather than a national level the stakes are lower and you have more political power preportionaly.  So by consideing your national vote to the "Lesser of two evils" third party voters can have their cake and eat it too, in a practical compromise that slowly shifts our country in a more democratic direction.
 
Meanwhile you can sign this petition to let thrid party canidates on the oklahoma presidential ballot:
http://www.change.org/petitions/state-of-oklahoma-allow-third-party-candidates-for-president-on-the-oklahoma-ballot