First I want to explain what I mean by Ideological orthodoxy. It's essentially the adherence to a political or even religous ideology. In this thread in really only talking about political ideology. It's when someone picks a political label such as, feminist, republican, progressive, democrat, socialist, or libertarian...ect. The list goes on endlessly, and because of that label they adhere strictly to that ideology. It is more like a religion than a political philosophy. There are pitfalls, the biggest one I can point out is that if an opposing party comes up with a genuinely good idea it's considered blasphemy under the auspices of the ideology. But even worse is the idea thst only good things can come from such. My question is, can you free your mind from such limits? Do you find benifit being part of a political orthodoxy? Do you agree with me? Do you disagree?
The real problem is the two-party system. Fringe beliefs of single issue voters should not dominate political discourse. But these issues become "wedge" issues. A wedge issue forces people of a political party to take a side on an issue, despite their personal feelings, or lack of, concerning the issue. The result is radicals empowered to make changes most Americans don't agree with.
I have to disagree. I'd say the two parties exist as they are as a result of political orthodoxy. Two parties can exist without there being wedge issues. Further when it comes to elections, particularly the presidential elections lately it seems to be a one party system with two personalities.
