The American government system can feel frustrating — it is always red versus blue with the republicans and democrats pitted against each other and not nearly enough debate on the issues but shameless advertisements attacking the other party. Politics is one of those closed-door topics that should never be brought up unless you’re looking for a fight, but like it or not the two party government system is here to stay.
Yes it would be great if there were other options besides the liberal and conservative parties. It would be interesting if we elected libertarian candidate Gary Johnson as president, but the truth of the matter is that unless the two party system changes, or a third party candidate joins up with one of the two big parties, they are unlikely to be elected.
The two parties receive much more funding for their candidates. Think of the two party government as a sort of true or false test; there are fewer options than in multiple choice and therefore fewer candidates to keep straight. And yes, that does make it frustrating for moderates.
Moderates are the voters that both parties try to win over because they could go either way. That also is where other options come in including the write-in, voting for one candidate as a way to vote against the other one, or there is the option of not voting at all.
It can be frustrating when your personal views don’t line up with either major political party but keep in mind that with the two party system the two parties keep each other in check, meaning one can’t completely override the other to get a bill signed, even if it means resorting to a filibuster.
Hearing about politics is stressful enough to make you want Congress to go back to kindergarten to learn how to get along or simply be polite to each other, but chances are high that the same issues will be going on long into the future where one party passes a bill only to have it shot down again. Pick the candidate that is closest to your stances and support it. At least that way your voice will be heard.
