While technically the U.S. does not have a two-party system, it is dominated by the Democrat and Republican parties. Based on the way these two political parties operate, it is very limiting to American politics. A significant problem with the current political structure is the fact it's too rigid. As a result there is little room left for creativity and innovation to come up with effective solutions to the issues which plague the U.S. The political system would be better off if more acceptance and credibility were attributed to Independents.

Although Independents won't necessarily come up with totally new stances, they are likely better represent a combination of views since an Independent would be more apt to think outside the box to generate creative solutions instead of the recycled old ones the other two parties regurgitate year after year.

Both the Republican and the Democrat parties have their own platforms which never deviate much. Even when a candidate personally disagrees with their party, they'll typically follow the party position and remain loyal to it. It's a rare day to find a Republican lobbying for increased abortion rights anymore than you'll see a Democrat lobbying to reduce abortion rights. With an Independent, one might find any variety of views, some conservative and some liberal. The U.S. is in dire need of more candidates that are more representative of varied points of view which better represent the citizens who cannot adopt solely Democrat or Republican philosophies.

Whenever a political party takes control of congress it's a big deal. Why is this? The reason it's a big event is because the "winner" knows they'll all vote together on the majority of issues and it's why each party strives hard to take control. Adding some Independents to the mix adds a barrier to ensure Congress doesn't conform to one singular perspective, but may better represent a combination of ideas and solutions or even develop some new ones. It seems perhaps the U.S. government is engaged in "group think" and more Independents elected to political positions may help alleviate this. The reason I think Independents are hindered is because the American public is too closed minded to give someone other than Republican or Democrat a shot because of the misconception that an Independent can't win. Perhaps Republicans and Democrats are threatened by the prospect of another strong party emerging and they prefer to keep it on the two party system.

On a personal level I often have a difficult time choosing a candidate because my beliefs typically split pretty equally between both Democrats and Republicans. Some of my views are pretty conservative, while others are quite liberal. How can one who has such mixed viewpoints identify with a candidate when there isn't room for diversity in beliefs? Another reason I support Independents is because even though they typically don't have a strong chance in winning, if they can garner enough support, it will hopefully shake up the other two parties enough to rethink strategies and perhaps they'll start to work together with compromise and combination of ideas.

Here in the U.S. we have the freedom to vote, but where do the 'rules' state that person has to be a Republican or Democrat? They don't. It's my hope that one day enough people realize that we do have other options and we do have the right and power to break the cycle of the two party system, but we don't...

Learn more about this author, Leigh Goessl.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Commentary: Why a two-party system limits US politics?
We want to hear your view. Write now!