Political parties: Needed, effective, and flawed
By Dale Schlundt
web posted December 14, 2015
George Washington was an individual that left behind many accomplishments, a number that hold true to his image and others that were exaggerated to varying degrees. Yet, one that few take note of is then President Washington's message, that political parties have the potential to divide. A contemporary society should not judge the political arguments of the past based on our current political context and understanding. However, we can indeed apply some of the thoughts to perhaps become more objective when we "cast our votes". Washington's arguments that political parties may have an element of disruption can be taken a step further, being that both historical and modern day parties also have the potential to create a narrow minded electorate.
One should not discount the role parties play in a society. A role that is positive as well as needed. James Madison discussed the inevitable rise of parties in any Republic in the Federalist Papers. Referring to the potential loss of representation the minority may sustain due to factions. Madison goes on to make the point that the solution is not the fruitless attempt of trying to stop the inevitable, but rather to manage partisan politics. The argument being that because the voter base will be relatively large with multiple levels of representation, a more diverse and greater populace will have a voice. Thereby prohibiting one faction from consistently overshadowing another. Through the very makeup our government, factions become more democratic.
This however does not shield the American voter from becoming short sighted once they find a party in whose platform they may see resemblances of their own ideology. We all view the world from our own unique lens, depending on the context of our own lives. What individual shares the exact same beliefs as their neighbor? This unique lens has a substantial influence in terms of the direction of the country. For example, there will be those who have financial burdens that will base their vote on that one sole issue. Feeling that one candidate or party will stimulate the economy and simple bliss will perpetually follow. Immigration is a core topic in today's political debates, which will lead to many votes based on tighter or looser immigration policies. There is no argument that these topics lack importance, nevertheless do the main platforms of a faction detract from the broader view of which voters should be aware?
Voting on a single or limited issues is an ever lingering pitfall, one that is undoubtedly human. That being said before we vote based on one topic, actively highlighted by a party, we should ask ourselves two questions. The first being that once that core issue that won our vote comes to a close, do we know any of the succeeding visions of that candidate? Possibly, as a whole the candidate or party's visions did not align with ours with the exception of that one or two ideas. The second and perhaps most important, are the policies what the country needed at the time? Did we vote simply for personal gain because a party or candidate's views were conducive to our own interests or did we take into account the interests' of the country? A difficult question for one to ask his or herself.
Despite the obvious benefits Madison highlights, the downfall of a Republic is that the voter is represented, rather than taking a daily role in the policy decisions of their country. While giving a voice to a larger citizenry, this leads to an electorate that does not need to be comprehensively educated on the current issues of the country, leaving that to those who represent them. Thereby making the party system essential, yet lacking the need for a complete revelation of both the candidate's ideas and the current needs of the country.
The solution lies in making choices based on self-education, rather than party loyalty. Let us not vote Republican in every election, simply because we have always subscribed to limiting government intervention in our free market system. Let us not vote Democrat in every election simply because they promote the opposing view, using federal power to elevate those in lower socioeconomic classes within a capitalist society. No, let us find the candidate in either party that will follow the correct path for what society requires at the time and encompasses American values as a whole. 
Dale Schlundt holds a Master's Degree in Adult Education with a concentration in American History from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He is currently an Adjunct Professor for Palo Alto College and Northwest Vista College. Dale has two new books available, Tracking Life's Lessons: Through Experiences, History, and a Little Interpretation and Education Decoded (A Collection of My Writings) now available on Amazon.