A few weeks ago, a friend of mine shared the ad featured above on Facebook. While many people supported this post, some questioned Johnson’s relevance as a candidate. They made a valid point, “What is the purpose of voting for a third party candidate when our country runs on a two-party system?” To which another person replied with a quote by Ezra Taft Benson, "If you vote for the lesser of two evils you are still voting for evil and you will be judged for it. You should always vote for the best possible candidate, whether they have a chance of winning or not, and then, even if the worst possible candidate wins, the Lord will bless our country more because more people were willing to stand up for what is right.”
This election has been one of the most controversial elections in the history of the United States. The two nominees from the Democratic and the Republican parties have high disapproval ratings. One of them is seen as corrupt and untrustworthy, while the other is seen as unqualified and promotes hate from his followers. The nation, as a whole, seems lost while the 2016 election nears. It is evident that this country's two party system has failed us.
Our founding fathers warned us against a two party system. John Adams once stated, “There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader, and concerting measures in opposition to each other. This, in my humble apprehension, is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution.” The all or nothing attitude in this country when it comes to politics have drowned out the voices of those who do not match the extreme views of either party. It polarizes every debate into liberal and conservative views. This tells the American public that there are only two approaches to each and every issue which create an irrational, simplistic idea on the issues that surround American politics. It tells the American public that there are only a right and a wrong party, forcing the people to choose one side or the other. It, in turn, gives extremists of each party too much power and leaves the most neutral side of America distraught and voiceless.
In the past, the third parties of this nation have been looked over in politics for many years. There are people in this country who have no idea who or what our third parties are. Many of these parties are forced to group into one of the major parties in order to have their voices heard. However in this election, we, as a people, have the ability to add another voice to this dilemma. For a third party to enter into the political debates, they must poll at 15%. It is a lot harder than it seems. As a third party candidate, it is difficult to get to this percentage because of the two party attitude ingrained into this society. Also, many major polling companies do not list third parties until they are considered included in the national debates, making them “relevant candidates”. Another example of how the two-party paradigm unfairly silences it's more neutral, outside constituents.
At the moment the closest running third party candidate is the libertarian candidate, Gary Johnson, who ranges from about 10%-12% on polls. Gary Johnson, a former successful businessman, was the Governor of New Mexico for two terms. During these two terms, he was known for decreasing the size of state government, leaving a budget surplus and the State fiscally solid. Libertarians are known for being fiscally conservative, on liberal when it comes to social rights. He supports the legalization of Marijuana. In fact, he was named CEO of Cannabis Sativa Inc., a medical marijuana company. He believes the education system needs a reform. He favors strong state governments, ways for immigrants to gain citizenship, gun ownership, the expansion of free trade, and lowering taxes. He opposes Obama care, expansion of the military, the prioritization of green energy, and a strong federal government. He is running make is the former Governor of Massachusetts, Bill Weld.
If Johnson were to make it to the stage, he would have a fighting chance to be elected president. It, in turn, would have a major impact on the two party system. It could create a plurality political system, providing a new outlook this country needs to create a better country for future generations. Even if you aren’t religious, the quote by Ezra Taft Benson has a key point. You should vote for who you want to vote for, who you believe would be the best possible candidate.
