A Touch Of The Creature

Whoever said that we have a two party system must have had a touch of the creature. It is commonly viewed that there are two parties that control the politics in this country, the Democrats and the Republicans. Exactly who are the Democrats and the Republicans? Trying to define the parties, it is tempting to say that one champions a liberal agenda and the other preaches conservatism. This really does not work. There actually are no Democrats or Republicans. Sounds like I've had a touch of the creature myself but examine any debate in Congress and very little is about Democrat vs Republican. A close examination reveals that we are dealing with liberals, progressives, populists, moderates , blue dogs, conservatives, right wingers, extreme right wingers, Republicans in Donkeys clothing and Democrats in elephants clothing all fighting to get their agendas into every piece of legislation. The result is a monetary deficit the size of which is incomprehensible, an interminable war in the Mideast, double digit unemployment, a health care mess, a nation of consumers rather than producers and a declining superpower. Until the parties start pruning their various branches even if it means a third or even a fourth party, there will be no timely or effective legislation coming out of Washington. Introducing a Know Nothings party should effectively accommodate a lot of tree pruning. With that I'll indulge in another touch of the creature.