The American experiment has endured almost 250 years now. We began in 1776 with the Declaration of Independence, and we put our current rules in place with the Constitution in 1787. Over the centuries we have amended the Constitution only 27 times, beginning with the first 10, known as the Bill of Rights. Only 17 measures have become formal amendments, and two of those cancel out each other. Amendment 18 introduced Prohibition of alcohol, and Amendment 21 repealed that ban.
So we really have only added to the Constitution 15 times since the Bill of Rights. That's quite a record. But the world of United States government is showing some weaknesses, particularly with the two party system. In his Farewell Address, George Washington warned of the dangers of two parties battling with each other in government. He saw the strife in his own cabinet and anticipated the kinds of problems we see today.
Our system of selecting candidates for President seems particularly troubling today. We have two 80-year-old men as the likely nominees, both of whom seem unfit to serve as leaders of the free world. We are left to wonder about American politics: Is this the best we can do?
The two major parties are pulled so hard to the extremes that their candidates look like caricatures. The mainstream voter can't get behind either nominee. We are perpetually required to choose the-lesser-of-two-evils.
I believe that the American people should not be doomed to such choices in every election.
Sadly the party leaders seem to lack common sense and common decency. The candidates are so clearly disqualified to serve, and no one has the courage to stand up and speak the truth. And those who do speak up are summarily canceled and silenced.
In this culture, good, respectable states-people cannot find political traction. Some are scared away by the vitriol that comes with campaigns. Some cannot stir up enough support because they will not play into voters' fears.
And so we are left with candidates who sow political and cultural division. The division works to put them in power. But division does not work to lead and inspire our nation.
