Election day. The day where the course of the country is going to be about the same, because we are simply repeating the same mistake that has plagued America once George Washington left office. We are doing the same thing, over and over, because we keep looking to the ruling elite to guide us. I don't mean Democrats, or Republicans, my dears, I mean politicians. And it doesn't matter if they they paint themselves blue or red, politicians of both parties see themselves as the rulers of this country.

The problem lies in the political party system, and the numerous OTHER labels that have been slapped on the American people to keep us divided, and against each other.

Republican

Democrat

Conservative

Liberal

White

Black

Hispanic

Latino

(blank)-American

Christian

Mormon

Catholic

Muslim

The list goes on and on and on.

The problem with all these labels is the simple fact that many people will identify with the label before they identify themselves as American. And this has been encouraged by people who look for political power, and prestige. These people want us divided against each other, and to keep us ignorant of other points of view.

And we, the people, allow this.

We allow ourselves to be divided, because we prefer to gather in like-minded groups. We, as human beings, tend to prefer to hear our own ideas quoted back to us, and want agreeable friends. The problem with that, is that we do not learn, do not see other points of view, and become insulated against the outside. The label-makers see this, and then do their best to vilify the "other" side, and make them look evil in the eyes of their followers.

We have allowed this to happen because we can be very lazy. Doing our own research is hard work. We tend to think in stereotypes, because it's easy. And it's very easy for the leaders of each individual group to paint the "other" as the bad guy, because they know our fears, they know our beliefs, because they have guided them, and molded them. Because people don't like to think for themselves.

We need to reject labels. We need to do our own research. We have the resources, we have the ability. We need to go beyond our comfortable routines, in order to get to the facts, or else this travesty will continue. We need to stop considering ourselves Groups first, and Americans second.

Party politics: Business as usual in Washington, and the capitals of all fifty states, but it was not how the Founding Fathers envisioned the government being run. In fact, the premier Founding Father, George Washington, railed against the spirit of party that has so polarized the country. Party politics is dividing America against itself, convinces Americans to follow their party leaders like sheep, and marginalize any dissenters who would draw ideas from both sides.

While it may be a human instinct to gather in groups that have the similar beliefs and ideas, party politics tend to take this instinct to the extreme. There is a fostering of mindless tribalism that makes the party members opposed to any idea that comes from the outside. Propaganda is used to its greatest extent to vilify the other party. Slander, false information, and vile stereotypes are used to foster an “us verses them” mentality that closes the mind, and precludes any criticism of the party line. Dissent is met with shunning, or being labeled a traitor to the cause. And it is even to the point that the members of the tribe are encouraged to only get their news and editorials from party approved media. The opinions of the party supporters are not made through their own thoughts and research, but spoon-fed to them, and repeated until they are convinced that they thought of it themselves.

This is indoctrination of the worst sort, because it is perpetrated by parents, by community leaders, by teachers, and by the media. It has been this way, it has “always” been this way, and this is how it will stay.

Don’t you think it’s time that this changed?

George Washington wrote on his farewell address:

“I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the state, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party, generally.

This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed; but, in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy.

The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries, which result, gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of Public Liberty.

Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind, (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of sight,) 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.”

The First President of the United States warned against the effects of party politics as he left the office, and his warning fell on deaf ears. Parties were formed, polarity was fostered, and battle lines were drawn.

The baneful effects of the spirit of party are most evident on the Internet, where assured by the anonymity of the username, and hiding behind a psudo-patriotic alias, the mudslinging occurs on both sides. I have seen both parties call the other evil destroyers of the American Way of Life. They portray themselves as glorious saviors, wrapping themselves in the flag, calling upon their fellow countrymen to choose a side, when both sides are equally guilty of causing this country harm.

It is time to drop party politics like the bad idea it is. Aren’t you tired of being fleeced by the politicians? Then it is time to stop being the parties’ sheep. Do your own researches, find your own facts, remove the party-approved blinders, discover both sides of the story, and choose for yourself the POLICIES that will make this country great. Parties have done nothing but divide, and the politicians have conquered.