An Emergence Of A Third Party? A Political Shot Across The Bow

With the current administration's attempt to "fundamentally transform" this nation and rewriting (destroying) our Constitution, as well as the Republican Party turning its back on their supporters and losing its way, could there be an emergence of a third party?

Watching the campaign in New York's 23rd District, we have seen what the definition of a RINO is, when Dierdre Scozzafava, a democrat in republican's clothing, dropped out an threw her lot in with Bill Owens. What has emerged out of this is a third party candidate, Doug Hoffman who has been running an anti-White House, anti-spending campaign. What some so-called republicans, such as Newt Gingrich, has voiced is one of fear that a third party will reinforce the democrat party by splitting the GOP.

I have two questions for Newt: So what? Have you forgotten what George Washington said? Our Founding Fathers were not stupid and were well aware of the possible issues of our future and constructed our Constitution to address them.

George Washington warned us of the dangers of a two party system in his farewell address:

19 Towards the preservation of your government, and the permanency of your present happy state, it is requisite, not only that you steadily discountenance irregular oppositions to its acknowledged authority, but also that you resist with care the spirit of innovation upon its principles, however specious the pretexts. One method of assault may be to effect, in the forms of the constitution, alterations, which will impair the energy of the system, and thus to undermine what cannot be directly overthrown. In all the changes to which you may be invited, remember that time and habit are at least as necessary to fix the true character of governments, as of other human institutions; that experience is the surest standard, by which to test the real tendency of the existing constitution of a country; that facility in changes, upon the credit of mere hypothesis and opinion, exposes to perpetual change, from the endless variety of hypothesis and opinion; and remember, especially, that, for the efficient management of our common interests, in a country so extensive as ours, a government of as much vigor as is consistent with the perfect security of liberty is indispensable. Liberty itself will find in such a government, with powers properly distributed and adjusted, its surest guardian. It is, indeed, little else than a name, where the government is too feeble to withstand the enterprises of faction, to confine each member of the society within the limits prescribed by the laws, and to maintain all in the secure and tranquil enjoyment of the rights of person and property.

20 I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the state, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discrimination's. Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party, generally.

21 This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed; but, in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy.

22 The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries, which result, gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of Public Liberty.

23 Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind, (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of sight,) the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it.

24 It serves always to distract the Public Councils, and enfeeble the Public Administration. It agitates the Community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which find a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passions. Thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another.

25 There is an opinion, that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the Government, and serve to keep alive the spirit of Liberty. This within certain limits is probably true; and in Governments of a Monarchical cast, Patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favor, upon the spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in Governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged. From their natural tendency, it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose. And, there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be, by force of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume.

Why do our nation's leaders constantly ignore our Founding Fathers? A better question to ask is the competence of our leaders in regards to the Constitution and the Federalist Papers. I am an average American who has read the Constitution and the Federalist Papers to understand why our Founding Fathers felt it was the best way to go for our country.

If Doug Hoffman wins New York's 23rd District race, it will send a shock wave through the White House and send a message to our politicians, republicans in particular that there is no such thing as a "moderate" republican, and his win will be a political shot across the bow that we have had enough of political party over the will of the people.

Someone once asked me what the difference is between a republican and a Conservative. I replied that the two are like a coyote and a Labrador Retriever; they are of the same species, but of a different breed.

Sources:

Third Party Candidates Shake Up Local Races, Send Warning Ahead of 2010

Fiasco: N.Y. Republicans deliver again

Third-Party Challenges in N.J., N.Y. a Warning Sign

Base sends GOP warning shot in NY-23