Our system of Partisan politics is broken and nothing or no one can fix what has turned out to be a powerful engine of diversion and rancor in our country. I don't believe that Americans could care less about issues. I also don't believe that moderates are a minority in this country. What I do believe is that the words "Democrat" and "Republican" have become hot-button slurs which obliterate all possibility for rational discussion on things that truly matter.
I'd venture to say that 95% of Americans believe in the following (I'm leaving 5% to the true radicals out there who believe otherwise):
Children deserve quality Education.
A strong educational system benefits not only the American people, but also has tangible benefits for our economy.
Every one is equal before the law.
Health care is not a privilege.
Folks should not go bankrupt if they must use hospital services.
Bad air, bad water and bad soil are detrimental to your health.
The natural environment is something which all generations, including future generations, should cherish.
Human rights are to be respected.
Work should be rewarded.
If that is the case, why are these core issues being ignored? It's because the Party system has become the nexus through which all of these issues are advanced. Instead of discussing the issues directly, we discuss how the Republican or the Democratic party will advance those issues, something which draws lines in the sand depending on who you are talking to. Let's take this scenario. I knock on a Republican's door and say, `hi, I'm Michelle and I want you to vote for Kerry because I think he'll get us better health care. ` Slam. There goes the door. Let's say I go to that same household and say, `Hi, I'm Michelle. Premiums have risen 40% and I'm worried about how I'll be able to afford health care. I think you might be worried too. Here's what I think we can and should do. Let's write our congress members, Republican Congress members included, and tell them Health care is important. Let's talk about it on the radio. Let's write letters to the editor.' I may not compel someone to act, but at least I've started the dialogue and gotten someone to at least make the connection between his/her health care and government policy, or lack thereof. If I start throwing party/political affiliation around, the conversation will never begin.
The system of "I will fight for Democrats so that they will fight for me" is disadvantageous a) when your party is not in power and b) still disadvantageous even when your party is in power and does nothing to advance your cause. A better approach, as can be demonstrated in both the pro-life and anti-gay marriage communities, is to take the issue to the candidates and wave the carrot of a potential vote in their face. I will vote for you if and only if you support X. And I will look for candidates who support X, because it is important to me. None of this begging and pleading and cajoling the party to act on our behalf. The electorate needs to send a message to our politicians which says that if you think You Politicians wear the pants in this nation, you're wrong. WE DO.
As of November 2, 2004, I am officially no longer a Democrat. I'm a citizen who stands for progressive and Democratic values and I expect those values to be honored. I'm certain there are more folks like myself out there, despite those numbers from Ohio. I plan on talking to my fellow citizens, especially those citizens in minority and impoverished neighborhoods, about things such as health care and education and exactly why we so desperately need them. I'm not going to tell them vote for this party or that party. I'm going to urge them to make their presence known by communicating with their representative about things that are important to them. One citizen. One neighborhood. One County at a time.