A Definition of Politics and a Commentary on America's Two Party Political System

Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines politics as follows:

Pol-i-tics: a) the art or science of government. b) the art or science concerned with guiding or influencing governmental policy. c) the art or science concerned with winning and holding control over a government.

If politics is truly the art or science concerned with winning and holding control over a government, the strategists of the Republican and Democratic parties of the United States are truly the grandmasters.

In the game of chess, the object is to checkmate your opponent's King. Player One with the white pieces moves first and has the advantage against Player Two with the black pieces. White plays to win. Black plays to deny and force a draw, unless White makes a tactical error resulting in a checkmate.

In the game of chess, it is theoretically possible for two grandmaster level players to play to a draw many times in a row. For several decades, the Republican and Democratic parties have been playing to a draw. When one side has the advantage in the political arena of the country, their strategists are more interested in putting their opponents into "perpetual check" instead of finding ways to work together to address the country's most pressing problems!

Today, the "practice" of partisan politics has become the standard tactic of both parties. The word partisan has a synonym..."follower"!

Is it not time for others to take the lead?