It is widespread belief and even logical to say that elections are binary: two parties, two candidates, and one outcome. I contend that elections are not binary. I do not mean the Green Party or the fledgling No Labels. The third party in America is the people. We, the people, have been led down the paths of war, deceptive bank practices, environmental disasters, and our kids dying in schools all because we have given away our power. The advocates of pro-choice legislation are examples of how to rebalance our equilibrium. Red state politicians made the mistake of believing they had unfettered mandates because they won the so-called binary choice. Fortunately, and resoundingly, the third party of people is exercising the right to dissent, thus proving that all politics is local. Politics, once the practice of compromise, has been corrupted by money and a perpetual re-election cycle. Lost in that equation is that politics should be about what is best for the people.
The recent ousting of Rep. Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House was viewed asdisastrous for‘traditional Republicans’not because he was an influential leader butbecause he was an effective fundraiser. As ofthis writing, Rep. George Santos (R-NY) is fighting for his electoral survival in the House of Representatives. There is little doubt of his guilt or that he conned his way into the office, but some Republicans are using the self-serving argument of “precedent” to keep him as the servant of a constituency that has time and again asked him to resign. Republicans point to Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), who has denied his allegations, as opposed to Santos, who has admitted he is a liar but excused his behavior with the all too familiar all politicians lie gambit. Yesterday, during the debate of his ouster, Santos accused one of his GOP colleagues of being a “woman beater.” The sad part about Santos is the “I know you are, but what am I” defense held the possibility of success because power breeds contempt. The GOP, who in the past has decried the nanny state want foray into the bedrooms of the LGBTQIA+ community and women’s uteri, is demonstrating that power is their ultimate aphrodisiac.
Democrats, although not innocent of malfeasance and misconduct, have tried to rid themselves of even the appearance of corruption. Two cases in point was the removal of Senator Al Franken (D-MN), which I believe was a travesty, and Rep. Anthony Weiner (D- NY), which was well deserved, each removed before any findings of guilt. While the head corrupting force in American politics, Donald Trump daily adds to the corrosive effect on the country. The GOP voters and leadership writ large sat in silent agreement with the attacks on the very officers who physically protected our government. Called into question the fourth estate [the Press] of self-protection, compromised the courts, both federal and local, and abandoned allies for the sake of autocrats, fascists, and ultimately murderers. Mr. Trump essentially told Bill O’Reilly that America is no better than Russia. When O’Reilly asserted,“Putin’s a killer,”Trump responded: “There are a lot of killers. We’ve got a lot of killers. What, do you think our country’s so innocent?”
I will never forget the photos of Americans at Trump rallies wearing T-shirts emblazoned with,“I’d rather be a Russian than a Democrat.” America is not a binary country, and neither is the vote.
Note: George Santos was expelled from Congress by 311, including 105 Republicans,114 voting against, with two voting present.
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