Democrat. Republican. Third Party. The name alone has a connotation, doesn’t it? After this year’s presidential “debate” spectacles, can you imagine the day when 3 (or more?) candidates from varying parties stand up and debate ideas? For some reason, our country has decided that two parties have a monopoly on political views. You’re either a red or a blue. In reality, political views are rarely that cut and dry. I’d surmise that the vast majority of voters who identify as one of the two main political parties, rarely subscribe to all of a parties doctrine.
Our two-party political system will never change unless voters open up to the idea that there are other candidates with viable ideas on governing. Taking the position that “this election cycle is different” is naive. Stating that “voting for someone else is giving the election to candidate X” is a cop-out to not defend your ideas. Every election is different and claiming that this one is “the most important ever” is simply ignorant.
Have faith in our government structure! The founding fathers knew that putting too much power in one branch of government was a bad idea. Thus, we have three distinct branches, each with oversight on one another. Those who think a Trump or Clinton presidency will “destroy our nation” are lacking faith in our democracy. Yes, the executive branch has gained powers it shouldn’t have over the last century, and we should be diligent about reigning that in. However, the executive branch is a long way away from being an autonomous ruling body for our nation.
Don’t let yourself be pigeonholed into a political box and even more importantly, think twice before declaring others should do so as well. Be curious and challenge your idea of normalcy. The landscape of ideas is vast. As a steward of our democracy, it’s on all of us to make sure the entire landscape is perused.