That’s why I say that one of the biggest problems with our political system is that it’s bipartisan. In my opinion, we need to get rid of major debates to which only Republicans and Democrats are invited, party-line voting, and party registration. I’m almost to the point where I’m against campaigning at all; it might be better if we just showed up to the polls and were given a list of the candidates and a comparitive list of their plans and views.

That’s a bit of a stretch, though. We should be provided a chance to see the candidates ahead of time and even ask them questions. But campaigns are out of control.

I would happily volunteer for a tax increase to fund equal campaign financing for each candidate. Let’s say that each candidate (independent or from any party) for a position like governor gets a set amount (say about $50,000, plus reasonable salary for campaign staff) to campaign with. And that’s it. They have to use that money for that purpose, and that’s ALL they can use. They’re not allowed to raise money from other sources (so they don’t owe anyone “favors”), and they would be encouraged to use the money efficiently and purposefully. If any candidate got less exposure than any other, it would be their own fault (or that of their campaign staff). $50,000 sounds low, but I feel like I could have my face and ideas all over the state for that amount.

Anyway, it’s just an example. I think it would make things more fair for smaller parties. Because it’s getting to the point that it’s not a question of whether the Democrats or the Republicans make more sense. The question is between the “third parties” and the major parties. I’m an independent and I consider myself moderate. But if you ask me, lately, both the Reform Party and the Green Party have been making more sense than either the Democrats or the Republicans. Which seems odd, but I really feel that way. That’s how much I’m losing faith in the major parties.

For the record, the likes of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were against the idea of a two-party system. They were very smart men.