Political Parties aren't politics- they're clubs.

I can define which people will choose which party- I think Republian versus Democrat is a question of personality type more than beliefs. In support of this theory, Libertarians and others who have attempted to define parties by well-defined beliefs are gaining constituents.

Republicans tend to have the answers ahead of the questions. It gives them an advantage in debating and a disadvantage in weighing choices. A Republican is more likely to rally behind a Republican president even if the President is not acting in accordance with his or her expectations. All it takes is a quick change of personal beliefs on the matter and it's all water under the bridge. Faced with the same scenario, a Democrat acknowledges differences in beliefs between he or she and a Democrat President and decides that whatever the issue, it is not important and continues to support the President generally.

It's not about politics. It's about belonging to a group and making sure it stays powerful enough to represent you. Bipartisanship impedes our ability to make good choices together as a nation because we must first be loyal to a party or have no voice. I'd take out the parties if I could. I'd choose a leader who tended to have the priorities I have, and if after 4 years I didn't like the result, I'd choose a different leader. At the very least, I'd make the party system less important if possible because they are just clubs we belong to, not the entirety of our political system.... or should be anyway.

Now this is just my opinion. Don't blast me. Just tell me your point of view please. That's the tone I want established- a civilized discussion for people who are interested in like and different ideas. Thank you.