I usually don’t comment much on politics, but I haven’t heard much written on dealing with our one-party system, so I will give my $.02 worth.

I don’t think we have yet reached the phase of “The Party IS Germany” (to quote the infamous WWII dictator). Unfortunately, we seem to be getting too close to that dangerous place. I agree that the Republican Party is probably too weak to keep our government from being effectively a one-party state headed by a charismatic leader with a “rubber stamp” Congress and Supreme Court. Only a few steps away is dictatorship, and we all know the harm that would do to our personal freedoms.

It appears the Republican party is a coalition of Evangelical Christians and wealthy business owners. These businessmen largely enticed Evangelcals to join them by paying lip service to traditional values, especially the opposition to abortion. Many Evagelicals, including me, have seen so much talk with zero action on abortion that we no longer want to be associated with those wealthy Republicans. This split was obvious in the last Presidential primaries when Evangelicals voted for Mike Huckaby, one of our own, instead of Mitt Romney, the Mormon picked by the wealthy elite. This conservative split resulted in McCain the liberal winning and many Evangelicals dropping out of voting in November entirely.

I don’t see how the Republican party can survive this split, but there needs to be some effective opposition party to prevent a dictatorship. With the power of our military and its weapons and technology, a dictatorship could do unthinkable damage both inside and outside the US. I think many Democrats see this and my guess is that a new party may split from within the ranks of Democrats after they believe the Republicans are gone for good.

Whatever happens, an effective opposition party is in the best interest of everyone.

I was in London when the Big Picture did the London at Night series and it made me feel so inadequate with my little Canon Digital IXUS 860.