Two-party politics: the new spectator sport

This isn't a presidential election. This is a World Series. This is a Super Bowl. This is an NBA Championship.

If anyone ever doubted that the two major parties were after nothing more than power; if anyone ever doubted that the two parties were divided, not by issues, but by a team mentality; if anyone ever doubted that the two major parties care more about winning then they do about the country, then those doubts were eliminated by this election process.

Both parties have shown throughout the course of this campaign that the only thing that defines them is the sheer, irrational hatred they have for each other. Never before in history have the two major parties been so close together on issues, platforms, and agendas. And never before have the two parties been attacked so vehemently for positions they simply did not hold.

Throughout this campaign, Bush has been attacked by Democrats for being an anti-choice, racist, religious right conservative who hates the poor. Never mind that Bush is the most moderate Republican candidate for President in years. Never mind that his judicial appointments expanded abortion rights in Texas. Never mind that his was the Republican candidacy that threw out the disgusting, race-baiting tactics of the GOP and replaced them with an attempt at outreach to women, minorities, and homosexuals. Sure, he didn't take it as far as some would like, but he started it. And finally, never mind that Bush was the first Republican candidate who refused to appear at the Christian Coalition convention-he's still, in the mind of Democrats, beholden to Falwell's fellow crusaders. If the Democrats truly cared about the interests of the country, wouldn't they be applauding what Bush has brought to the GOP?

Not that the Republicans were any better. Throughout this campaign, Gore has been attacked for being a liar and a big-spending liberal. Never mind that most of the exaggerations the Republicans have claimed are urban legends or simple mistakes. Never mind that Gore provided a place for National Debt reduction in his budget. Never mind that Gore provided for the elimination of government employees in his budget. Never mind that his policies are virtually identical to Bush's-he's just another godless commie, as far as the GOP is concerned.

This irrational, bitter team mentality is shown full force in the election mire we find ourselves facing now. Both the Republicans and the Democrats had the chance to show some class. Both campaigns had the opportunity to act in the best interests of the country. Both declined the opportunity. The Bush camp should wait until all the ballots are in before they declare themselves the winner and call for Gore's concession. And the Gore camp should be silent and wait for a recount as well. The Palm Beach ballots are irrelevant-they were designed and made through a perfectly legal procedure and approved by a Democrat. Sample ballots were available through newspapers and the mail, and apparently enough people understood it to cause a Gore victory by a large, large margin in the county. A lawsuit would only lead to an undermining of the election process itself. It establishes the dangerous precedent of suing every time there is an election result that a candidate doesn't like. A revote is even more dangerous-shall we revote every time we don't like election results? Unless fraud can be proved, which no one is alleging as of this writing, there is no cause for a revote. Now don't get me wrong-Mr. Gore is well in his rights to demand a recount in a close election. He is also well within his rights not to concede the election until all the Florida ballots are in. But he should discourage any legal action against the result of the elections. But I doubt he will.

The bitterness, and the reaction of the Bush and Gore campaigns, as well as by their partisans, shows clearly that politics is no longer about pursuing an agenda for the best interests of the country. It has become a sport, just like any other. All people care about now is whether or not their team wins, not how to ease the divisions in the country. All the candidates care about now is not what's best for the people, but whether or not they have the reins of power.

The only thing that could clean up this mess right away is for one or the other candidate to concede as soon as the Florida ballot is certified. No legal actions, no calling for more recounts in other states, no nothing. Just stand up and concede for the good of the country. Of course, this presumes that either candidate is a true statesman, but neither one is. They are not half the men their fathers were.

As for my part, I'm just glad that my own conscience is clean. Like the bumper sticker says, "Don't blame me-I voted Libertarian."