We've got some serious problems. To name just a few:
<> 9/11 and all of the security vulnerabilities that have become apparent in its wake (airports, ports, critical infrastructure, potential chemical and biological attacks, black market nuclear materials, etc.);
<> The war in Afghanistan, which was a "right" war at a "right" time, but which by many accounts is still not over and is deteriorating rapidly;
<> The war in Iraq;
<> The loss of New Orleans and the subsequent loss of faith in our government's ability to take care of its citizens;
<> Millions of people protesting in the streets over immigration reform;
<> Millions of people protesting in the streets over the war in Iraq;
<> Soaring gas prices;
<> Scandal after scandal in Washington, from the House to the Senate to lobbyists to the White House itself;
<> The "flattening of the world" through globalization, and America's increasing inability to compete in this world due to lack of quality education;
<> A president who, to most Democrats and a growing number of Republicans, just doesn't seem up to the challenge.
Things are pretty messed up. And for the past five years, the country has been firmly under Republican control, which would make the 2006 congressional elections seem like a shoe-in for Democrats.
Unfortunately, I fear this will not be the case. For all of our problems, there's been not one single politician who's been able to stand up and firmly speak to the American people in an strong, positive voice. The stage is set for a real leader to step forward- Democrat, Republican, or third-party. I think there's a real need, and a real opportunity, here.
A few months ago, I was out with my friend Jordan talking about all of this, and a guy sitting next to us chimed in with a pitch for the Green Party. I'm very supportive of the concept of third-party politics, but in the real world, I don't see how they've done anything but cause problems. George W. Bush would certainly have lost the 2000 election if Ralph Nader hadn't run.
However, the two party system is increasingly looking like it's broken. If Democrats aren't able to make sizeable congressional gains this November- which I suspect they won't- the final nail will be positioned in the coffin. Another presidential loss in 2008 will drive it firmly into place.
If such a scenario takes place, which I think is likely, the two "parties" in our system will essentially become Moderate Republicans and Extreme Conservative Republicans. The Democratic party will be next to meaningless.
All of this is to say that if the Democrats don't win big in November, and a strong third-party candidate were to emerge, I'd probably support that candidate. We need strong opposition to wreckless Republicans and debilitated Democrats, and we need it now.
