Failure of party system

A recent column by Robert Samuelson sums up with, “There are centrist proposals to deal with our problems that would probably help and seem to enjoy majority support. But they are doomed by opposition from the political extremes. The center sags and paralysis prevails.”

Ideological purity, polarization, folks who can no longer discuss politics without losing a friend and those who would vote for the proverbial “yellow dog” rather than a qualified individual with either the “D” or “R” after their name, need to consider that, just perhaps, we are partly responsible for the broken and ineffective shape of government today.

Where compromise was once the rule and an effective government was possible, politics and politicians have moved to the far ends of the spectrum, making promises they cannot keep, spreading disinformation, grandstanding, resorting to name-calling and lowering the bar on civility.

Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Joe Pakootas are the representatives of failure in governance by a party system. We now need people who will thoughtfully bring people back to the table and resume discussion of the serious issues that face our country. That can only mean a vote for Dave Wilson who is running as an independent.

David Frazier

Spokane