[COLUMN] America has become an oligarchy

The American elections system is broken. Of course, you know that but I don't think you know how it is broken.

The problem is that our current two-party rule has created a system that is really no better than nations with one-party rule. In fact, in some ways, nations with one-party rule are somewhat better because at least there is a sort of honesty. You know going in who the winner is going to be and you know you have no choice.

Here in the United States, however, the people have been brainwashed by 150 years of government-run education into thinking that the two-party system works. If you have any doubts, keep in mind our educational system was modeled on the Prussian system, which was created to break the influence of religion over the people and to instill in students social obedience through indoctrination. Every person was taught from the youngest age that the king was just and his decisions always right.

I am not sure what Horace Mann found attractive about such an educational system, but it is past time we break the government's monopoly on education.

However, I digress.

The monopoly that is troubling me today is the monopoly on power by the two major parties. The two parties have created an elections system that keeps out third parties by passing restrictive ballot-access laws. Sure, there are third parties, but the hoops through which they have to jump just to get on the ballot can be downright ridiculous.

It also goes beyond ballot access.

Take presidential debates, for example. They often only include the candidates from the two major parties, which is patently unfair to the other candidates and a great disservice to the American people. In a free society, all candidates on the ballot in enough states to mathematically win the election should be permitted to participate.

The media share much of the blame as well. Just look through today's newspaper and I am certain you will find stories about John McCain and Barack Obama. But how many stories will you find about Bob Barr, Chuck Baldwin, Ralph Nader or any of the other candidates? I venture to guess none. The same editors who think they have to give equal time between McCain and Obama see no need to run stories about Barr or Nader.

In fact, I think it is fair to say that the United States is no longer a democratic republic but rather an oligarchy run by the two political party machines. If this were truly a democratic republic, then all would have equal access to the ballot box. The reality is there are different rules for Democrats and Republicans than for others.

Additionally, they work together to maintain this gravy train. President Washington predicted this and publicly warned of the dangers of political parties.

All that is lost, however, on the average American who looks at the two presidential candidates and decides to vote for the lesser of two evils because the candidate with which he or she agrees most happens to be a third-party candidate and unlikely to win.

I am often accused of wasting my vote or playing spoiler because I usually choose to vote for a third-party candidate.

However, those who refuse to vote for a candidate simply because that candidate is not part of the oligarchy and is unlikely to win are really part of the problem. By voting for a major-party candidate, even though you can't stand either one of them, you simply contribute to our broken system.

I, however, refuse to be part of the problem. I will not vote for someone simply because they belong to a party that has had the reins of power for so long that no one can win without its blessing.

If you care about democracy and America, you, too, will refuse to be part of the problem and take one hour of your life to learn about all the candidates and choose the candidate that you like best regardless of party.

Only then can the people crush the oligarchy that has taken control of the U.S. government and return to government of the people rather than government of the party.