It can be disheartening. . .

Although I find myself disagreeing almost as often as I agree with what is proposed in this book, I am glad to have the chance to read it this summer in particular, in preparation for this fall’s election. I am very frustrated by our current two party system – not even by what they represent, but by how they choose their candidates. The section on gerrymandering (now I know how that name came about) just made me even more depressed as I see it so alive and well in my own legislative district. Havertown was, last month split in two pieces, even though the state constitution supposedly states that a municipality should only be spilt as a last resort. It wasn't due to population, just election rigging. The party in power in Harrisburg (although I am not saying things would be different if the Democrats were in power) have needlessly carved out and spilt a district to benefit the party, not the constituents.  As long as this is the accepted business practice, I feel we are doomed. The book is rife with stories of how extreme people and parties have become and all this does is create more gridlock and paralysis whether it be in Harrisburg or Washington. I've heard stories about how although they were political enemies, Reagan and Tip O'Neil used to drink together after hours and had real respect for one another. This seems impossible today. The 24 hour news cycle zealots would find out and destroy you.

To get your party’s nomination you have to appease the extremist in your base – they are the ones who work all year for your organization. The base is most often the most extreme. To successfully help this country get back on track I think one has to adopt a more moderate/middle path. This is, as things stand, political suicide. I know Friedman and Mandelbaum say that third party candidates can help bring along this chance, but I see that as such a slow process. If the rest of the world is so much more nimble and able to adapt, I fear where we are and where we are headed.