America's political system is a very good one, but it ain't perfect.
One of the main flaws of our present system is that the President, the chief executive of the country, remains an entrenched politician...he remains the head of a particular political party. So,as President he is meant to promote the interest of the entire country, while as head of a political party he is meant to be loyal to the agenda of a particular segment of the population...and the two may be in total conflict with each other. Hard to wear two hats at the same time.
Notice how President Obama will "chastise" Republicans, some of the people he is sworn to represent, for not supporting his Democratic health plan. Should he not at least calmly and seriously consider their views? Is he not trying to do the best for all Americans regardless of their political affiliations? Are Republicans, Conservatives, Libertarians, etc. the President's enemies or his constituents? Ought those who attend Tea Party gatherings be listened to...or ignored, as they now are? Do they not all pay his salary?
And how does the President's holding down two jobs interfere with his learning process. Assume the President came to realize that his party's position on an issue--say, abortions--is wrong. How easy would it be for him to change his view during his Presidency and promote a law banning abortion? He would be viewed not as an enlightened President willing to learn and committed to doing the right thing...which presumably would be of benefit to the entire country...but as a traitor, someone devoid of loyalty to his party, someone hurting the party's chances in future elections. How often have you seen a sitting President of any party admit an error, a mistake? Fingers of one hand? One finger?
President Obama speaks about bipartisanship and cooperation. Hard to get when the President himself is firmly skewered toward one political party, and feels obliged to cater to the views of that party, regardless.
The President's role as Chief Executive should preempt any other position. Once elected, someone else should be designated head of the party. That won't necessarily eliminate all of these problems, but it may...may...make it easier for the President to do the right thing. Wouldn't that be best for everyone?
The flag hanging outside the White House, Mr. President, is not the flag of the Democratic party...it is the American flag.
Well said!!!
ReplyDeleteI have long been an opponent of the two party system for this very reason.
Many disenfranchised republican and democrat voters alike consider voting for an alternative party candidate, “throwing their vote away”, even though they desire change.
However these voters who want change, will "throw their vote away" out of loyalty to party, and justify their behavior as choosing the lesser of two evils rather than responsibly casting their vote for the best person for the job. Now that is what I call throwing your vote away!
Party line voters simply lack the courage that our forefathers demonstrated in pursuit of change, and it is this lack of courage that fosters the status quo.