Democrat v. Republican and Why It Isn't Working

We have a bipartisan system. Our constitution states that each side is meant to represent the opposite points of view for each issue. Unfortunately, modern issues are too complex to allow for just one solution.

Let's begin with our struggling economy. The Democrats propose raising taxes on the rich. Let's define the term "rich," though. "Rich" in the modern sense means anyone who earns over $250,000 per year. That probably makes up about 4% of that tax bracket, which makes up only 5% of the U.S. population. Most of those people are doctors, lawyers, and small business owners who worked through extra years at college and work arguably more stressful jobs. The people who deserve taxation are people who earn over $1,000,000 per year, a so-called "millionaire's tax." In fact, before the 1950s, only millionaires paid income tax. Simply put, a solution to taxation may be a removal of the income tax, as 95% of the revenue comes from the top 1% of wealth.

However, lowering taxes may not be a solution right now. That's what the Republicans want. Arguably, lower taxes could stimulate the economy, but to me, it seems like a cheap election ploy. The goal of every politician today is to get reelected. Some politicians have been in the House or Senate for over 30 years. Therefore, I think its logical to amend the constitution so that politicians can only be elected once, and receive no salary. Being a politician should be about getting things done, not getting a cushy job because you have enough money to spoil the opposition with possibly bogus campaign adds. I'm  pointing fingers at both sides, because almost all politicians are wealthy enough to make adds and run for office. Which is why I think that political parties should fund the races. Everyone gets $100,000 to run for office; if you don't win, you can't say it was because you didn't spend enough money. Furthermore, adds should be limited to support, not criticism of other candidates.

Despite this, I think the bipartisan system is really ineffectual. In the end, it becomes a brawl between two opposing armies who will just try to defeat the other by any means necessary. Just look at the recent health care bill. A full year was spent on it basically because the Republicans just kept saying no, no, no. That's a pointless waste of time for both sides. In that time, the Republicans should have come up with an effective response that could have favored what they support: strong defense, low taxes, and small government. Also, some things end up just being political games. Bills that could help the environment become worthless because they allow oil companies to continue to have free reign through our already overtaxed oceans or start to gain ground in fragile areas of the northern tundra. That is why I propose that the party system be completely disbanded, or independent parties be allowed to enter the House and Senate. There are more than one perspective on every issue. Let's have those perspectives heard.