By Arthur Solomon
On January 3, the 112th Congress will be sworn in to govern the United States. And if history is repeated, nothing much will change on the battlefield of politics. (That has already become evident in the current lame-duck session, thanks to Sens. Mitch McConnell, Jon Kyl, Rep. John Boehner and their lockstep followers in the House and Senate.)
The Republicans will continue to be the party of "take no prisoners" and the Democrats will continue to raise the white flag, only to be mowed down.
But in the halls of Congress there will be a big change (despite the Senate and House leaderships of both parties remaining the same). As a result of the election, the Republican majority is much more conservative; the Democratic minority is much more liberal.
Those who support Republicans are exhilarated. Those who support Democrats are dejected. But, maybe, the widening schism between the two parties may be best for our country. We now, at last, have a truly conservative and a truly liberal party.
Democratic initiatives cannot now be easily blocked by the "blue dogs" in their caucus. Moderate to liberal Republicans are wandering in the desert, wondering how the Mama Grizzlies came down to the mainland from Alaska. This is not necessarily bad, because in future elections voters will have something new -- a clear choice between a liberal party and a conservative one. No more Mr. or Ms. in between.
Because the Big 2 parties are now so extreme, moderate Democrats and their like in the GOP now need a new home, one where they will be welcome. A viable third party may be the answer and is now more a possibility than ever before because the electorate is disgusted with the antics of both majors. That would be good for our system of government because it will give those voters shunned by the two majors a clear choice.
Add in the independent vote, and a new party may actually have a chance to influence the outcome of elections and eventually become a force in the White House and Congress.
A viable third party would be good for America because it would break the strangle hold that lobbyists, Democrats and Republicans have on the country.
The only ones who truly will be upset if a strong third party emerges will be the
current Democrat and Republican politicians and the special interests that fund them.
So, with a little bit of luck in the near future, the old boys and the not so new girls clubs may soon be a thing of the past and, hopefully, also gone will be the party hacks, many of who owe their leadership positions and important committee chairmanships to being fortunate enough to represent districts in a safe blue or red state, or have enough money to dole out to others in their caucuses.
Yes, we've had third and fourth and fifth party candidates for years. But...
Hopefully, a serious third party movement will provide us with a candidate who can explain options without making it sound as if he was speaking in a college lecture hall.
Hopefully, a serious third party movement will provide us with a candidate who can speak about the county's needs with the passion necessary to excite voters and not depend on Alaskan, Madison Avenue or PR agency slogans and talking points. Hopefully, a serious third party movement will have a public relations thrust that makes sense.
Hopefully, a serious third party movement will take the fight to opponents instead of having its candidates acting as punching bags. Hopefully, a serious third party movement will expose the Tea Party for what it is, an extremist primary-threat appendage of the already far right (our way or no way) Republican Party and a dedicated foe of moderates and liberals.
Hopefully, a serious third party movement will have the political smarts to make the " Party of No" look like what it is, the "Party of "Negative Nellie's." Hopefully, a serious third party movement will convince voters that America is too great a country to be swayed by ridiculous and misleading TV commercials.
Hopefully, a serious third party movement will have the guts to label people like Sarah Palin a purveyors lies, when they make ridiculous statements that legislation contains "death panels." Hopefully, a serious third party movement will convince Americans to not be swayed by fear-mongering politicians. Hopefully, a serious third party movement will produce candidates and results that will help America again become the greatest, most compassionate, most feared, but most loved and most respected country in the world.
To borrow from Cole Porter: In politics today it's "Anything Goes." And as Thomas Jefferson said," The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." (Not that I advocate violent revolution; but a revolution to change the political two party landscape through the ballot box, yes.)
All that was missing from the circus of politics in 2010 was the Know-Nothing Party. What? We did have a No! Nothing! Party. Okay. I stand corrected.
Go good riddance to the Red Party and the Blue Party. With a little luck, maybe, we'll have a third party that does what's best for the Red, White and Blue.
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Arthur Solomon is a former newsman and senior VP at Burson-Marsteller. He is available at [email protected].
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