by Robert Fischer<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For a long time now, well before the 2016 election, I have thought that it was time to rethink the nature and composition of our two major political parties. The last true realignment of parties was way back in 1854 when the present Republican Party was founded in Ripon, Wisconsin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Republican Party was founded essentially on an anti-slavery sentiment, but it also included ex-Whigs and ex-Free Soilers who supported economic and social modernization. They were opposed to the expansion of slavery into the territories. The modern Democratic Party, founded in the 1830s, was made up of those favoring states\u2019 rights and a weak decentralized central government. They came out of the \u201crise of the common man\u201d during the Jacksonian era and traced their roots back to the agrarian beliefs of the Jeffersonian-Republicans . The party split over the issue of slavery during the Civil War with the southern wing favoring slavery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Political parties are clearly creatures of their times, reacting and taking stands on contemporary issues facing their constituents. Both the Democrat and Republican experience bear this out. The point is that much has changed since the 19th century, and while the two parties have continued to change, they simply have not kept up with the fast changing conditions in the country. During the second half of the 20th century there occurred major changes in the country\u2019s demographics and business and industrial practices, accompanied by equally significant changes in technology. This trend has only accelerated as we have entered the 21st century.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is clearly dissatisfaction with both parties as evidenced in the 2020 vote. The political landscape has changed in recent years, reflecting the changing needs of of the electorate. This new reality seems to be merging conservative and liberal virtues into a hybrid that embraces independent rural values with urban acceptance of government aid. Americans want to keep their guns and local control but welcome social programs including medicare and potential public health care. Freedom and liberty, yes, but not at the expense of popular government programs that enhance \u201cthe general welfare\u201d of the people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At this time we don\u2019t know where all this is going or how the disparate constituents will fall out in support of one party or the other. It does seem that the old alliances are no longer viable. Long-repressed minorities have secured economic power and have increased in numbers so that they can no longer be ignored or taken for granted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One thing is for sure. There will be continuing changes, and some of us might just have to give up some of our long-cherished beliefs about what\u2019s proper in politics and government. The \u2018truths\u201d that we have been so cocksure of just might turn out to be wrong as we move forward. It\u2019s not going to be easy; there will be a lot of squealing and discomfort for some. And, of course, the extremes on the right and the left will never be satisfied!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
For a long time now, well before the 2016 election, I have thought that it was time to rethink the nature and composition of our two major political parties. The last true realignment of parties was way back in 1854 when the present Republican Party was founded in Ripon, Wisconsin. The Republican Party was founded…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-339","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-by-robert-fischer"],"yoast_head":"\n