Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Top Stories

Our two political parties: A resemblance to WrestleMania

Opinion

Our two political parties: A resemblance to WrestleMania
Getty Images

Leland R. Beaumont is an independent wisdom researcher who is seeking real good. He is currently developing the Applied Wisdom curriculum on Wikiversity.

In the realm of politics, the rivalry between our two dominant political parties often resembles the spectacle and drama of a WrestleMania event. Like professional wrestlers vying for championship glory, these parties engage in heated verbal sparring and theatrical maneuvers while indulging passionate fanbases. However, as captivating as the political spectacle may be, it is essential to recognize that the current state of our political system is far from ideal. The intense competition and focus on winning elections have resulted in a polarized and dysfunctional political landscape that often fails to address the real issues faced by the nation.


One of the key parallels between WrestleMania and politics lies in the lack of genuine competition. The traditional two-party system has created a duopoly, where the focus is on maintaining power rather than delivering meaningful solutions to the people. This lack of competition stifles innovation and accountability, leaving voters with limited choices and entrenched party ideologies.

Furthermore, the quest for victory in politics often overshadows the pursuit of problem-solving. Political parties become more interested in defeating their opponents than collaborating on effective policies. As a result, we witness extreme stances, negative campaigning, and a growing sense of division among the electorate.

However, there is hope for reforming the politics industry and steering it toward a more constructive and accountable system. The book, The Politics Industry by Katherine M. Gehl and Michael E. Porter, presents transformative solutions that aim to address the core issues plaguing our political landscape.

The first proposal is to introduce open primaries, allowing all voters, regardless of party affiliation, to participate in candidate selection. This change would increase competition and force candidates to appeal to a broader range of voters, making them more responsive to the public’s needs and concerns.

Ranked-choice voting is another reform suggested in the book. By allowing voters to rank candidates in order of preference, this system reduces the spoiler effect and creates space for third-party candidates to compete more effectively. As a result, the political landscape becomes more diverse and representative of the people’s varied interests.

Addressing the problem of gerrymandering, the book recommends implementing independent

redistricting commissions. These commissions would draw electoral district boundaries impartially, eliminating the manipulation of district lines to favor one party over another. This measure would foster a fairer and more competitive electoral process.

Non-partisan leadership is a crucial aspect of the proposed solutions. By encouraging the appointment of non-partisan leaders and legislative committees, the focus shifts from ideological battles to evidence-based policy solutions. Such an approach ensures that decisions are made in the best interest of the people rather than party-driven interests.

Lastly, the book emphasizes the importance of adopting a customer-centric approach to politics. By viewing citizens as customers, politicians can concentrate on addressing the needs and concerns of the public. Building trust and delivering tangible results become the primary objectives, fostering a more constructive and accountable political landscape.

In conclusion, the similarities between our two political parties and WrestleMania highlight the dramatic and the theatrical nature of contemporary politics. However, this captivating spectacle should not distract us from the urgent need for reform. Our current political system is polarized and dysfunctional, with a focus on winning at all costs, rather than solving the real issues faced by the nation.

The solutions proposed in The Politics Industry offer a transformative path forward. By introducing open primaries, ranked-choice voting, and independent redistricting commissions, we can foster a more competitive and representative political landscape. Non-partisan leadership and a customer-centric approach will ensure that politicians prioritize the needs of the people over party interests.

Ultimately, by embracing these reforms, we can break free from the WrestleMania-like spectacle and move toward a more constructive and accountable politics industry—one that prioritizes the well-being of the nation and its citizens above all else. Only through such meaningful reform can we revitalize democracy and ensure a brighter future for our society.

ChatGPT contributed substantially to writing this essay.

Read More

Understanding the Debate on Health Secretary Kennedy’s Vaccine Panelists

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., January 29, 2025 in Washington, DC.

(Photo by Chen Mengtong/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)

Understanding the Debate on Health Secretary Kennedy’s Vaccine Panelists

Summary

On June 9, 2025, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), dismissed all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Secretary Kennedy claimed the move was necessary to eliminate “conflicts of interest” and restore public trust in vaccines, which he argued had been compromised by the influence of pharmaceutical companies. However, this decision strays from precedent and has drawn significant criticism from medical experts and public health officials across the country. Some argue that this shake-up undermines scientific independence and opens the door to politicized decision-making in vaccine policy.

Background: What Is ACIP?

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is a federal advisory group that helps guide national vaccine policy. Established in 1964, it has over 60 years of credibility as an evidence-based body of medical and scientific experts. ACIP makes official recommendations on vaccine schedules for both children and adults, determining which immunizations are required for school entry, covered by health insurance, and prioritized in public health programs. The committee is composed of specialists in immunology, epidemiology, pediatrics, infectious disease, and public health, all of whom are vetted for scientific rigor and ethical standards. ACIP’s guidance holds national weight, shaping both public perception of vaccines and the policies of institutions like schools, hospitals, and insurers.

Keep ReadingShow less
MQ-9 Predator Drones Hunt Migrants at the Border
Way into future, RPA Airmen participate in Red Flag 16-2 > Creech ...

MQ-9 Predator Drones Hunt Migrants at the Border

FT HUACHUCA, Ariz. - Inside a windowless and dark shipping container turned into a high-tech surveillance command center, two analysts peered at their own set of six screens that showed data coming in from an MQ-9 Predator B drone. Both were looking for two adults and a child who had crossed the U.S.-Mexico border and had fled when a Border Patrol agent approached in a truck.

Inside the drone hangar on the other side of the Fort Huachuca base sat another former shipping container, this one occupied by a drone pilot and a camera operator who pivoted the drone's camera to scan nine square miles of shrubs and saguaros for the migrants. Like the command center, the onetime shipping container was dark, lit only by the glow of the computer screens.

Keep ReadingShow less
A Trump 2020 flag outside of a home.

As Trump’s second presidency unfolds, rural America—the foundation of his 2024 election win—is feeling the sting. From collapsing export markets to cuts in healthcare and infrastructure, those very voters are losing faith.

Getty Images, ablokhin

Trump’s 2.0 Actions Have Harmed Rural America Who Voted for Him

Daryl Royal, the 20-year University of Texas football coach, once said, “You've gotta dance with them that brung ya.” The modern adaptation of that quote is “you gotta dance with the one who brought you to the party.” The expression means you should remain loyal to the people or things that helped you succeed.

Sixty-three percent of America’s 3,144 counties are predominantly rural, and Donald Trump won 93 percent of those counties in 2024. Analyses show that rural counties have become increasingly solid Republican, and Trump’s margin of victory within rural America reached a new high in the 2024 election.

Keep ReadingShow less
Hands Off Our Elections: States and Congress, Not Presidents, Set the Rules
white concrete dome museum

Hands Off Our Elections: States and Congress, Not Presidents, Set the Rules

Trust in elections is fragile – and once lost, it is extraordinarily difficult to rebuild. While Democrats and Republicans disagree on many election policies, there is broad bipartisan agreement on one point: executive branch interference in elections undermines the constitutional authority of states and Congress to determine how elections are run.

Recent executive branch actions threaten to upend this constitutional balance, and Congress must act before it’s too late. To be clear – this is not just about the current president. Keeping the executive branch out of elections is a crucial safeguard against power grabs by any future president, Democrat or Republican.

Keep ReadingShow less