THE FAILURE OF PARTY POLITICS By T.S.Khanna,Nov. 23,2011.

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November 23, 2011

THE FAILURE OF PARTY POLITICS

By T.S.Khanna, November 23, 2011.

George Washington in 1796, remarked in his farewell address:

“Let me…..warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of (political) party….The spirit of party serves always to distract the public councils, and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the communities with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one part against another; foments occasional riot and insurrection”.

Interactions of our political parties seem to prove George Washington’s foresight.

Budget deficit is one of the most pressing problems facing the nation. Yet, the two parties are not able to resolve this problem. The failure of the twelve-member bipartisan Super Committee to come up with a plan for deficit reduction is a super failure in the functioning of the two parties to the benefit of the nation.

Party loyalty is in politics as faith is in religion. In each case, rational open discussion for give and take has no place.

We need to evaluate the limitations of our democratic system and incorporate the needed changes.

Balanced budget may be adopted as constitutional requirement.