Changing of the Guard

The two-party system has flourished in the United States for as long as anyone alive today can remember, for well over a century. Between 1901 and 2005, a Republican has occupied the Office of President for a total of 56 years, and a Democrat for 48 years. Since 1941, It has been an even split at 32 years each. Here is the breakdown.

1901-1913 Republican
1913-1921 Democrat
1921-1933 Republican
1933-1953 Democrat
1953-1961 Republican
1961-1969 Democrat
1969-1977 Republican
1977-1981 Democrat
1981-1993 Republican
1993-2001 Democrat
2001-2005 Republican

The two parties have dominated because each was able to develop and maintain an entrenched power base largely impenetrable by any other political party. Over time, ideologies and voter constituencies have changed, but each party has been able to energize a substantial chunk of the "party faithful" every four years. The pendulum swings one way, then the other. The change-over is usually brought about by a defining event, a culmination of excesses, or dearth. Wars, depressions, recessions, inflation, scandals are a few. To win, the challenging party must convince the electorate that something is wrong, and that they can do better. Election campaigns today are carefully formulated marketing efforts, targeting specific segments of the populace which can tip the balance.

It is interesting to note that the Republicans and Democrats, repectively, have supported widely varying policies over the years, and rarely could one be neatly characterized as being either "conservative" or "liberal". Abraham Lincoln, the "Great Emancipator", was the first Republican President. Teddy Roosevelt (also Republican), the "Trust-Buster" and great conservationist, was considered progressive. Woodrow Wilson, a Democrat, lead us into World War I. Prior to World War II, isolationists had the upper hand in the Republican Party. Franklin D. Roosevelt was the New Deal and the War President. Truman(Democrat) dropped the atomic bomb. Kennedy and Johnson(Democrats) mired us in Vietnam. Although the Democratic "Solid South" was the great bastion of racial segregation for decades, Kennedy and Johnson ushered in racial integration and the social reforms of the "Great Society." Bill Clinton was pro-business: he "grew the economy" and balanced the budget.

Geore W. Bush claims to be a compassionate conservative. Today, instead of the "tax and spend" democratic liberals, we now have the "borrow and spend" Republicans who have created by far the largest budget deficit in history. The Bush administration seems to want to change everything, and spend more money. Is this what one calls conservatism? I think not.

I agree with Ross Perot, Jesse Ventura, and Ralph Nader: The Republicans and Democrats are more alike than they are different. They both thrive off the same system which is self-perpetuating.

I don't consider myself a Democratic party faithful, though I don't remember ever voting for a Republican candidate, so I am as close as one gets. I would like to think that I vote for the candidate whose character, record, and platform best represent my ideals. However I am a pragmatist and must consider also his or her electability, leadership potential, experience, and ability to get things done.

The point of this lengthy dissertation is that it will be the Democrat's turn in 2008, if they don't blow it. They must present an electable candidate, a platform, and get out the vote. Assuming that such a candidate is selected and an identifiable platform is presented (these are big IF's), then victory will depend upon persuading and mobilizing the masses, and getting the swing vote.

I do believe that Howard Dean is the right man in the right position (DNC) to do this. The seeds of the next campaign have been sowed and are growing. But we must do a better job of reaching the people than the opposition. We must get the country to open its eyes so we the people can "take back" the country.

Assuming the political landscape remains about the same between now and 2008, I will probably vote Democrat in '08. I am not happy with our current leadership or the direction they our taking our country. So lets get going!

Get off your butt. Speak out. Write. Organize. March. Get involved!