Two giants, with all the power divided between them, go head-to-head year after year. The majority separated by only a few seats. And so congress does absolutely nothing while collecting their fat checks. A constant stalemate. When one political party gains majority, it’s no big deal. The opposing party will get it back next election. Way back in a dark, Cuban cigar smoke filled room, the heads of these two parties are high-fiving each other and laughing at us stupid citizens all the way to the bank.

The founders created a system of checks and balances by acknowledging the need for odd numbers. We have three distinct branches of our government. Each has some power, none have all of it. It keeps everyone honest, except that word doesn’t apply to politicians. But guiding each of these branches are only two political parties. Democrat and Republican. Us vs. Them. An even number creates gridlock. The two parties are able to take extremist stances on their ideals and avoid actual work because of the constant stalemate between them.

So you have an idea for a new law. You already know your party has the majority, so it’s most likely to pass. What if instead of 50% of congress to sway, in other words your own party, you had to convince 2/3 of congress? If your law passes after having to convince 2/3 of your colleagues to sign on to it, chances are it’s a better law.

That’s why it’s time for a true, legitimate third party. America’s two parties were founded by Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson. They were Democrat and Republican respectively. Originally known as the Federalists, the Democrats have fairly well maintained their identity throughout U.S. history. The Republicans have had a few offshoots from the Jeffersonian Republicans, to National Republicans, Democrat-Republicans, Whigs and at the start of the Civil War, became the Republican party we know today. Were these parties ever meant to be?

The founders worried about political factions becoming too large and having too much power. Their writings indicated their desire for no political parties. This is what President George Washington attempted during his two terms in office. It didn’t last.

One or the other, black or white. It really isn’t much of a choice, to be honest. The groups are extreme opposites. I believe each of these parties has some great ideals that are worth being the identity of the parties. Conversely, they each have some extremely radical, completely awful ideals that could use some work.

Imagine this, a third political party with ideals and platforms that more closely align with your own ideals. Maybe it’s a best of both worlds scenario where a party takes the good of the other two and combines them to make their own party. Maybe they stress something completely different as their main ideals. Whatever the case, at least there’s an alternative to black and white.

We’ve had some groups attempt this. Ross Perot tried to form his own political party during his run for president. Occasionally there will be a short-lived Republican offshoot, such as the Tea Party. To date, the closest to a true third party remains the Libertarian party. But they suffer from championing causes that aren’t strong political points. Libertarians tend to focus too much on Marijuana than their hands-off approach to government. I think the drugs and a couple other stances of theirs has turned away potential party members. It’s too bad, the idea of a true by-the-constitution government really appeals to me.

The benefit of a third party means if you have to convince not only your buddies of your great idea, but also at least one of the other guys, then it’s probably a better idea. This will lead to better legislation, and I believe better representation. After all, we live in a representative republic. Those folks we elect are there to carry OUR message to the country. Not theirs.

It would be a lot of hard work, and some pockets as deep as their dedication, but it would be a crucial turning point in American history. To finally achieve a true third political party would be a tremendous step in eliminating the gridlock of the good ol’ boys in their backrooms. Who knows? Maybe we might actually get some work out of Congress in the interest of the American people, not their corporate sponsors.