The Article below was published in Vol. 137, Issue 1 of the Lake Forest College Stentor on September 17, 2021.
By Lia Fiffles ’24
Opinions Editor
Every four years, America comes together to elect a new president to run the nation that we claim is united. It shocks no one that on the day of election, it is down to the Republican and Democratic candidates. The months leading up to the day are no different, and not just in regard to the campaigning taking place between the two political parties; the entirety of the nation is up against one another as a competitive and political atmosphere takes over the country.
Looking back to 1787 when the foundation for this government was formed, political parties were of no concern for the delegates, and for good reason. The idea of separate political factions brought up concern for the corruption and division they believed would take place if the parties were implemented into the government. But as it is, it was natural for individuals to split into two opposing sides as the new government began its formation. There were those in favor of a strong Federal government, the Federalists, and those who wanted power given more locally, the Democratic-Republican party. This natural opposition between the two further resulted in a political divide that could be seen as similar to today’s. Seeing the divide these two parties created during his stepping down as president, George Washington warned the nation during his farewell address when he stated, “The common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it;” and so the precedent was set for the intense political separation between the two dominating political parties that we now know today as the Republicans and Democrats.
As the two parties have formed over the following years, they have become more distinct, which has been followed by stronger partisanship. The definite two-party system is not going anywhere because of the different values that each one reflects, and both continue to seek the immense power that a majority rule can bring. Although, it can also be said that the two parties assist in running a democracy because they bring together everyone that is working toward a common goal: doing what is best for their country. The problem is that, recently, the divide between the two political affiliations has become so wide that it seems like it is no longer about what is best for the country as a whole, but rather the two parties that continue to run it.
The majority of politicians will not say a word, make a move, or cast a vote against their party, even if democratic policies have been broken, because they value party over democracy. Even during a global health crisis, you see politicians putting more time and focus into their next campaign rather than putting it toward helping during this unprecedented time. This is reflected in the citizens that closely align with their affiliations, as well. Many will not cast a vote or alter any opinions if it means going against the party they align with. Doing what is right does not hold as high a precedence as it used to, and we continue to move backward as a country as we become more divided. Even the discussion of issues that should be considered bipartisan, like the response to a pandemic and economic stability, have resulted in crisis and violence.
It all comes full circle; even in the beginning, the founders of this government knew immediately that any strong political divide would put this nation in turmoil, but it is in our nature as humans to oppose and remain loyal to those who we believe to be right. But maybe it’s time to alter human nature for the better and help our country as a whole, to allow for individual success in a nation not bound to collapse, because the two-party system and its divide is slowly but surely setting this country up for problems that soon, we will not be able to come back from.
