Politics in America - It’s Not a Swamp
Our Government is a Duopoly
Washington never was, and is not now, a swamp.
Washington is a duopoly consisting of the Democratic Party and the Republican Party each seeking to become a monopoly. Both parties are highly organized and well-funded. Members in BOTH parties obtain wealth and power by being in the party. Billions of dollars are available to those supporting the parties such as support staff, media, lobbying, advertising, etc. These Golden Geese for wealth and power are not going to dry up without a fight.
There is BIG money to be made AND LOST in these Washington casinos. Be or bet on the winning donkey or the winning elephant and you can win big money and power. We can hope that all those running for office and those that support them truly want to serve however we know that there is not a politician in Washington that doesn’t understand the potential for both wealth and power if they “win” the election. Rather than draining the swamp our focus needs to be on re-directing the energies of the parties.
Before going any further, it is important to understand key differences between this duopoly and a free enterprise duopoly situation.
Generally, in a duopoly situation in a free market the consumer benefits. The two dominant players are seeking increased market share through better features and lower price for their products. Each player will attempt to optimize their products for their customers. The consumers can compare the products and decide which product is the best value for them. Marketing will be primarily focused on the value to the consumer of their product versus cutting down the other company.
If one of the players in a free market has a 48% market share and two years from now has a 52% market share and two years after that has a 48% market share and so on, the consumer will not notice any effect. If one of the duopoly players is eventually defeated the victor can then exploit the consumer.
In our government, the duopoly prevents an optimized product (good laws and responsible funding of the government) from being produced. Party members must stay on their side of the aisle or they will be punished by the Party. The parties control the government, the hearts and minds of the elected officials do not.
While I am not a political scholar, it appears that the current operating processes of the legislature ensure that we will always fall way short of what we really could accomplish as a country. It is interesting to note that the only thing both the Democrats and Republicans 100% seem to agree on is how to behave/operate if you are the majority party and how to behave/operate in you are the minority party. The rules seem quite simple, uniform and effective:
1. Always vote as a block regardless of what you as a person think is best for the country. Stay loyal to your party.
2. While you are in the minority party do everything you can to make sure the majority party fails. The reason for this is quite simple – if the country significantly improves while the majority party is in power you won’t ever get to be the majority. Once you have “defeated” the majority you get to be the majority – go to step 3.
3. While you are in the majority party get as much of your party’s stuff through because history shows that eventually you will be defeated by step 2. Once you are defeated go to step 2.
The process is totally predictable and effective in not allowing meaningful improvements to the country. Congress’ approval ratings for years have told Congress what the Americans think about the established processes.
As discussed above “market share” for duopolies oscillating from 48% to 52% and back every two years has virtually no effect on the consumer. In the government duopoly, however, these changes have devastating effects on America. It’s not just the change on election day – the duopolies campaign/fight every day 24/7 for the next election. We are bombarded with negative propaganda. Even good news for the country is attacked by the other side! This corrosive political climate is eating away at the heart and soul of America. This uncertainty debilitates hope.
The Democrats and Republican have platforms; America doesn’t
Do you want to know why the country is so divided? Read the Democratic Platform and then the Republican Platform. Or read the Republican Platform and then the Democratic Platform. Both are FULL of blame of the other party for the sins of the past – I really hate reading blame documents.
The first paragraph of the Democratic Platform – “In 2016, Democrats meet in Philadelphia with the same basic belief that animated the Continental Congress when they gathered here 240 years ago. Out of many we are one”. Now I am not a historian, but I think the Continental Congress included representation from ALL political ideologies in America at that time. In 2016, the Democrats met without any representation of those with a Republican ideology or an Independent ideology or any other political parties. In the second sentence who are the “many”, who are the “we” and who is the “one”? Are they trying to speak for America or are they really saying – Out of all Americans, Democrats are the chosen one(s)? They can’t speak for America because they only invited Democrats.
On to the Republican Platform – “With this platform, we the Republican Party reaffirm the principles that unite us in a common purpose.” At least in this platform it is obvious that it only pertains to the Republican party to the exclusion of the rest of the country.
The intent of the platforms is to get you to pick a side. “Join our team and all will be right with America and the world. Whatever you do don’t pick the other side or YOU will ruin America.” You are either a blue coat or a red coat – you can’t be a purple. You are either a donkey or an elephant – you can’t be a bald eagle. You are either left or right – you can’t be in the middle.
America does not have a platform. It reminds me of the scene in Planes, Trains and Automobiles where the American People yell to Congress – “You’re going the wrong way!” Congress discusses this by saying “How do they know where we’re going?” As each party is trying to take America in a different direction and we face cataclysmic swings every two years and no one, not even Congress, can predict where we are going today, tomorrow, forever.
There are more colors than red and blue
But what if I want to be a different color? What if I want to soar with the eagles, as I sure don’t want to be a donkey or an elephant? What if I want to be in the middle, as I believe true respect and empathy for ALL will never come from the far left or the far right? BOTH sides will tell you: “Sorry that won’t work. You must choose red or blue, left or right, elephant or donkey. That’s the way it’s always been and always will be! Get used to it!”
America needs to be the “little boy” that said – “There are so many colors in the rainbow; So many colors in the morning sun; So many colors in the flower and I see every one”. (Harry Chapin – Flowers are Red) With 325 million Americans, one side (color) cannot ever fit all.
It’s not the current or past Presidents dividing America
I flatly reject the notion that President Trump, President Obama, President Bush, President Clinton, and so on cause the deep divides in this Country. The Democratic and Republican parties divide this country on purpose. The 561 people currently on America’s Team just don’t get along and they and their entourage of propaganda machines spend tremendous energy letting everyone know 24/7 not only that they don’t get along, but it is the “other” side’s fault.
What about the independents, interdependents and other parties/ideologies in America? With red and blue dominance of the government of America, how will they be represented? America needs to see all colors.
Don’t get me wrong – I am not trying to get rid of the two Parties or add a new one. Each party should want what is best for America and should have good ideas for America, but they must work interdependently for ALL in America and not AGAINST each other.