Parties

“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." -George Washington

George Washington had some faults in his views. No one can deny that. However, I happen to agree wholeheartedly with this quote. I have my own favorite party, as many will know, however I will not specify in this blog for the purpose of maintaining an atmosphere of opinion on certain overall policies and not general party platforms. Despite this favorite, I know that parties are the root of much corruption of the political system. People sign their name on a paper to align themselves with a party because people they respect did, being parents, guardians, or other figures of trust in their lives. This paper is just the start of those people punching ballots blindly, not because they have payed attention to their platform, but because their family was part of the party that backs the candidate that particular year. This is just too many lines of connection for me. People should vote for a candidate because they have become informed to the candidate's planks, and believe that said candidate's planks will benefit the country more than the other candidate's. This is the only way that the political system in this country will become righted.