Take a minute to name every political party in the United States that you can think of.

If you can name more than five parties, consider yourself informed.  Many people are surprised to learn there is more to politics than just being either a Democrat or Republican. Occasionally, I meet someone who have heard of the Libertarian Party or Green Party, but cannot provide much information about their cause or beliefs.  At the polls, it seems like there are only two parties that are sensationalized in the media, and the voting public is handed only two choices: Democrat or Republican.  It is absurd for a country with 250 millions adults to have such limited options regarding who will represent them.  Honestly, even final exam questions come with four multiple choice answers; at least give America four candidates for president.

It seems that the average voter will pick a topic or two that is most important to them, such as health care or taxes, and proceed to vote for the candidate that most represents their opinion. Often times, however, issues are not fully understood, and the voter simply sides with a specific party.  But what about the rest of the issues?  What about foreign policy and immigration?  Jobs and education?  The economy and social security?  Those issues have a major impact on our society.

Many times people say voting has become a choice not for who’s the right candidate, but for who is the least wrong.  So how do we change this?  Becoming a politician should not be a career choice, or even necessarily be a paid position.  Maybe it should be a volunteer effort. Someone from the community can volunteer to take on the responsibility.  The local elections could advertise regular Joes and Janes of the community–those who understand real daily American life and the challenges it presents: budgeting so bills can be paid, affordable child care, school, home maintenance, parenting, employment challenges, health problems, and transportation issues.

Sometimes I wonder if bureaucrats have gotten so far away from the daily grind that the don’t remember what it’s like to struggle.  Who I want to represent me is someone who understands me.  Someone who knows the hard work I have invested in myself and my children to give them a better life. Someone who isn’t just a public figure fixated on power and prestige and a paycheck.  Someone who truly wants to make a difference, and not just have their name in a history book.