My former colleague Robert Gehrke suggests in his Jan. 24 column that our two-party system sucks. To misquote Winston Churchill, I would offer this: A two-party system is the worst form of government, except for all the others.
In the wake of World War I, Germany formed a democracy with a ruling parliament. However, with 37 parties the government was unable to move the country forward, leaving it in disarray and vulnerable to a strongman.
Today, Israel’s Knesset is made up of 13 political parties and is stuck in a gridlock similar to, if not worse, than ours. That has allowed its corrupt prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to remain in power for 12 years.
In contrast, the United Kingdom’s parliament is dominated by two major parties and has proven to be a healthy, if messy, democracy.
That’s not to say our government doesn’t face challenges. Clearly it does. But the founders tell us that the heart of democracy is true dedication by every citizen to that ideal, which comes before party or person. Beginning decades ago, Republicans put their agenda ahead of the health of our democracy, and here we are. If we aren’t all pulling together, we’re pulling apart.
With a democracy we get the government we deserve, no matter how many parties. Organizer Stacy Abrams demonstrated in January what is possible in a democracy as two Democrats won Senate seats in traditionally red Georgia.
Real conservatives can reclaim the Republican Party if they so desire. And if the people of Utah ever get tired of being dominated by Trump Republicans, they can organize and take control of the state Democratic Party and remake it into more than the eunuch it is today.
Christopher Smart, Salt Lake City
