Triple Hate Special: The Two Party System

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For episode 45, Alex and Andy attempt a deep-dive into what they consider one of the root causes for everything wrong with American politics, the Two-Party System.

Andy begins by getting out of the way the how there TECHNICALLY aren’t only two political parties, and why that EFFECTIVELY isn’t the case, before digging into how this system is responsible for voter apathy, low turn-out, despite being formerly praised in the early years of the Republic (and even works in a reference to Transmetropolitan).

Alex then gives a historical perspective on how going all the way back to Washington’s administration, two parties are all that have ever really been available, the ever-present division of power between those who feel power should be centralized at a federal level and those who prefer state and local organization, and why even that doesn’t cover all the realistic bases.

Throughout the episode, they reference an excellent Vox article titled “Why America’s 2-party system is on a collision course with our constitutional democracy.” They also reference the concept of the Overton Window (and a horrifying Glenn Beck novel butchering the matter) and Representative John Conyers of Michigan and his ongoing effort to pass a bill to study reparations (apologies to the congressman whose name Alex forgot during recording.

Finally, Andy concludes with a message of hope for bettering each other’s lives and being kind to one another while Alex offers a compromise between being pragmatic in federal elections and putting energy and votes towards other parties at the local level.