The Laughing Wolf

The Myth Of A Two-Party System, Yet Again

If you think the Old Media has been biased before, just wait. The entry of Ralph Nader into the elections is going to bring out some of the worst in journalism. Setting aside biased coverage, denial of coverage, and other similar delights, one thing you are going to see a great deal of in the coming weeks is the myth of the two-party system.

Anyone who has taken a reasonably good history or civics class should know that America was not founded on a two-party system. In point of fact, there were several strong major parties at the founding of the Republic, along with a dozen or so smaller parties. Over time, most of these parties merged in an effort to obtain majorities and what eventually emerged were the modern Democrat and Republican parties. As this process occurred, what are now the two major parties did all they could to make it a two-party system and eliminate competition. Gerrymandering, machines, and even less scrupulous things were a part of this attempt to create a political monopoly. For about 100 years now, with the occasional Bull Moose thrown in, that is what we have had.

Third parties did not really begin to gain any credence again until the 1960s. It was out of the turmoil of the times that realistic third parties began to emerge. When you go back and study this, take a note of what used to be the standards for being considered a serious party. As soon as the Libertarians reached the magic one million vote mark, the media and the Repblicrats moved the cheese. Every time any third party has hit the new mark, it moves yet again, particularly in the eyes of the Old Media.

While colourful third-party candidates, aka crackpots, make for fun stories and some sales, they disrupt the status quo and the orderly progression towards right think. Therefore, such candidates get short shrift regardless of the soundness of their positions. The Old Media is comfortable with the established powers, and is in point of fact a part of that power. This is not something they desire to loose.

This year is going to be particularly difficult for them. Let’s face it: most members of the Old Media are well to the left of most of the American public, and a large majority are registered Democrats. They remain unhappy that Bush won the last election, and I know members of said media that still maintain that the election was stolen, etc. They are desperate for a candidate that can beat Bush, regardless of the issues. For them, there is no other issue than that they hate Bush and want him out – consequences, issues, and ethics be damned. Right now, they are rallying around Kerry and recent coverage of bias highlighted at Cardinal Puppilieu and other sites is really just the tip of the iceberg.

Now enters Nader. Almost everyone sees him as a spoiler for the Democrats, and the Old Media is horrified. Nader cost them the election last time, by George! This is an outrage.

No, it is the Republic at work. It is the best of what was intended by the Founding Fathers. It is the right of individual Citizens to take part in governance by running for office no matter the odds. It is the right of individual Citizens to take part by voting for someone other than the approved, official, and sanctioned candidates. It is the right of the Citizens to just say NO to power grabs, bias, and such other wonderful things.

If you thought third party candidates were marginalized before, just wait. In order to deny Nader coverage and participation, the Old Media is going to change the rules yet again. The bar will be moved to exclude Nader, and in the process all other third party candidates will be excluded as well. This is nothing less than a shameless attempt to manipulate the vote, and to deny the public the very thing that freedom of the press was meant to do: provide as many sources and as many viewpoints as possible, so that voters can be truly informed on choices and the issues.

What the Citizens of this country deserve is at least one debate featuring the Democrats, the Republicans, the Libertarians, Nader, the Socialists, and any others who can make a decent showing. It should not be limited to just two people, for that is a lie and a disservice to the people and the Constitution.

What they are likely to get is even more biased coverage, a two-party debate, and a deliberate effort to manipulate the system even more than normal. You deserve better than that, and you can make your voice heard. Vote with your pocketbook, vote with your letters and e-mails to the media, and most of all – Vote. Get involved, for that is going to be the only way to make any change in the system. Demand issues, honesty, and more. For unless you do this, there will be no change.

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