This is an opinion piece. For a long time I have felt this disgust from what I have seen from politicians, the news media and individual comments. Therefore, I felt it is time for me to vent and get it off my chest.
The United States has long prided itself on its two-party political system, a structure that has defined its democracy for over a century. The Democratic and Republican parties have historically served as the primary vehicles for political discourse, policy-making, and governance. However, the dynamics of this system have shifted dramatically in recent years, leading to a growing sentiment that the U.S. is no longer a true two-party country. Instead, the political landscape is increasingly characterized by one party acting with unchecked authority while the other postures without delivering meaningful opposition. Even more concerning is the rise of powerful unelected officials who appear to wield disproportionate control over the nation’s direction, undermining the democratic process.
The notion of a two-party system implies a balance of power, where competing ideologies engage in robust debate, compromise, and accountability to the electorate. Yet, this balance has eroded. One party—whether Democratic or Republican, depending on the context—often pushes its agenda with little regard for opposition or public sentiment. This is facilitated by a combination of political dominance in key institutions, media alignment, and strategic maneuvering that sidelines dissenting voices. Policies are enacted, executive actions are taken, and cultural shifts are engineered, often with minimal resistance. The opposing party, meanwhile, frequently engages in performative gestures—grand speeches, symbolic votes, or social media campaigns—that create the illusion of action without producing tangible results. This dynamic leaves voters frustrated, feeling that their concerns are ignored or that the system is rigged against them.
The root of this dysfunction lies not only with elected officials but also with the growing influence of unelected power structures. Bureaucrats, corporate leaders, tech moguls, and other non-elected figures have amassed significant control over policy and public life. Within the federal government, career officials in agencies like the Department of Justice, the FBI, or the CDC often shape policy outcomes through regulatory decisions, selective enforcement, or public health mandates that bypass the legislative process. These unelected actors operate with little accountability, insulated from the democratic mechanisms that govern elected representatives. For example, regulatory agencies can issue rules with the force of law, yet these decisions are often made by individuals who face no electoral consequences.
The corporate and tech sectors further exacerbate this trend. Tech giants, for instance, influence public discourse by controlling information flow, censoring content, or amplifying certain narratives, effectively shaping political outcomes without ever appearing on a ballot. Similarly, corporate lobbying ensures that economic policies often prioritize private interests over the public good. These unelected forces—whether in government, media, or industry—create a shadow governance structure that operates beyond the reach of voters, eroding the democratic foundation of the two-party system.
This imbalance has profound implications. When one party acts unilaterally and the other fails to mount effective opposition, the checks and balances inherent in a two-party system collapse. When unelected officials hold sway, the will of the people is sidelined. The result is a growing distrust in institutions, as citizens feel increasingly powerless to influence their government. Restoring a functional two-party system requires not only reinvigorating political competition but also addressing the unchecked power of unelected elites. Without such reforms, the U.S. risks drifting further from its democratic ideals, leaving its citizens with a government that serves the few rather than the many.
TomT2.0 