Building Democracy

IN STATES controlled by Republicans,Republicans are doing everything in their power to make sure that the system is rigged to elect as many Republicans as possible to the U.S. House of Representatives. They are redrawing congressional voting districts, gerrymadering them into truly salamanderian shapes, to achieve political dominance. Democrats are of course doing the exact same thing in states they control.but they seem to control fewer states, and appear to have less to gain by playing this game. But is they don't play it at all if they sit on the sidelines in this sordid activety proclaiming that they are morally superior to such nefarious behavior, they risk falling behnd, being left in the dust, eventual extinction. It is not pleasant trying to imagine an America with only one major political party. We need and must have at least two, and arguably more. It is equally hard to imagine the American people being happy long term with only one major party. So diverse and divisive are we by nature that a single political party could never adequately represent all Americans. But are two enough? A two party system has the advantage of legislative efficiency. There is automatically and always a distinct majority and minority, on every issue, aiding clarity. And yet, European democracies all have more than two parties, anywhere to a handful to an unlimited number. And yet, their democracies seem to function at least as efficiently and effectively as the American version. They compensate for the potential with shifting coalitions, depending on the issue. The added flexibility enhances efficiency and effectiveness. The Democratic party in the U.S., for example, could probabyy be vroken down into five or six smaller parties. It is a big tent which includes both socialists and capitalists, moderates and far left wingers. It is possible to find true Democrats whose viewpoint seems to have little in common with other Democrats. It is hard to find any two Democrats exactly alike, and the moderates and the socialists do indeed seem better suited to different parties. The Republicans,meanwhile, still have some moderate conservatives to balance out the far right wing, the fascists, the folks with full body tattoos, flying confederate flags on their porches, pick ups, and trailors, They like the Third Reich red n black swastika too, but seem to be a bit more discreet about breaking it out for all to see. Whereas as recently as the nineteen seventies party differences were minimized as both parties moved towards and clustered in the political center,we now seem to have opened up a considerable gap between them, as many of their adherents have fled outward, towards the extremist fringes of their party,far left and far right. This polarization of political opinion has the advantage of offering everyone a celar, distinct choice. But unless a large, strong moderate political community thrives,polarization invites conflict and instability. It might behoove us all to seek more balance, and less extremism, in our personal political portfolios. This involves nothing more than the willingness of the individual to open the mind to greater diversity of thought, to "think outside the box", as they say. First, we must build and maintain a fair democracy, without any political party abusing democracy to gain an advantage.To build such parties, parties concerned about real democracy, they must be joined and led by people whose proirity is truly democracy,and not personal or political gain or party advantage. In other words, moral people.