In 1796, President George Washington was so distressed by the way America was splitting into two political factions - the Democratic-Republicans led by Thomas Jefferson, and the Federalists of Alexander Hamilton - that he devoted much of his Farewell Address to warning his countrymen, "In the most solemn manner, against the baneful effects of the spirit of party." He acknowledged that it was natural for people with common interests to organize into competing groups.
Federalists were enraged at losing the White House, and there was real fear that party hatred would ignite into violence at Jefferson's inauguration.
The worsening malice and meanness of American politics are clearly not deepening public affection for the two major parties.
Among the 31 states where voter registration includes a party affiliation, 28 percent of voters have officially designated themselves as independent.
In 1992, Perot pulled nearly one-fifth of the vote, a stunning achievement for an outsider not linked to either party.
On July 4, veteran Michigan congressman Justin Amash announced that he was leaving the Republican Party to which he had long belonged, and would henceforth represent his constituents as an independent.
In a nation where more than 1 of every 4 registered voters explicitly rejects a party affiliation, there ought to be scores of independents serving in the House.
https://townhall.com/columnists/jeffjacoby/2019/07/15/george-washington-was-right-about-baneful-twoparty-politics-n2550090
Federalists were enraged at losing the White House, and there was real fear that party hatred would ignite into violence at Jefferson's inauguration.
The worsening malice and meanness of American politics are clearly not deepening public affection for the two major parties.
Among the 31 states where voter registration includes a party affiliation, 28 percent of voters have officially designated themselves as independent.
In 1992, Perot pulled nearly one-fifth of the vote, a stunning achievement for an outsider not linked to either party.
On July 4, veteran Michigan congressman Justin Amash announced that he was leaving the Republican Party to which he had long belonged, and would henceforth represent his constituents as an independent.
In a nation where more than 1 of every 4 registered voters explicitly rejects a party affiliation, there ought to be scores of independents serving in the House.
https://townhall.com/columnists/jeffjacoby/2019/07/15/george-washington-was-right-about-baneful-twoparty-politics-n2550090
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