Individual Principles

Or Political Parties?

To the Editor:

Whether on a national or local level, political parties automatically create a separation of political, social, economic, and philosophical thought. Each party establishing for its members, principles with which they agree, subscribe to, and profess. If we don’t agree, we search out parties that represent our beliefs, provide principles with which we can adopt, or we create another party.

It is not difficult to understand, since we all come from different social, philosophical, and economic backgrounds, therefore it is only natural that each of us would migrate towards platforms that are close to our individual principles. Further, because we live in different social and economic strata we have diverse needs, which is why many of our locals argue for increased expenditures in education, while others argue for lower taxes.

Would Newtown change if there were no political parties? Would there be a benefit to the community? Would it be possible to elect officials based on their abilities, experiences, and personal philosophies and eliminate partisan politics? Or, would the individual political philosophies eventually polarize back into opposing parties, but of a different name?

Anytime you have a diversity of thoughts and/or principles, debate will result. Many see this process as divisive in nature, but I see it as a stimulus to political distillation. We mislabel this process, here in Newtown, as divisive in nature because that statement requires no additional comment or thought. Add to that the relationships established in partisan politics and we become complacent with individual principles because being accepted is vitally more important than holding onto our principles, which could isolate us from acceptance. The number of political parties should be insignificant to us, because it is the diversity of thought that should guide us in the democratic process. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to support our principles regardless of political position.

I wonder which is better for Newtown: support of a political party regardless of its principles, or support of individual principles regardless of political party?

A.P. Roznicki

169 Hanover Road, Newtown                                           May 10, 2011