What an incredible development! Here in Alaska we have managed to produce an independent ticket for governor made from an alliance between a longtime Democrat and a longtime Republican. These two men are willing to work together for what they believe is in the best interest of the state, each man making adjustments to their positions in order to include the other. Inclusion, what a novel political idea. Each man has decided that he can live with the differences the other brings to the ticket. Their joint hope is to focus on the issues that both men feel are more important, issues like economic development, education, open and transparent government and equal rights. This is democracy at it's finest.
Before I go on, I want to disclose that I am a registered Republican and firmly believe in most conservative principals. I come from a family of Republicans, I love to hunt and fish, I believe in limited government, I served in the military, I own guns and sell guns and my wife and I own a small retail business.
Our political parties and the big money that supports them have polarized our state and our nation by focusing only on the issues that divide us. Hot button issues like gun control, abortion, immigration policy and gay marriage. All are extremely important issues, but intractable in respect to our ability to find common ground. For example, if you are not pro-choice it is difficult to win a Democratic primary, likewise if you are not pro-life it is nearly impossible to win a Republican primary. Issues like this, which are so emotionally charged, can effectively prevent many good candidates from making it to the general election. If a candidate doesn't fully support the party platform, including the extremes, then they will suffer the wrath of those in the party and those with the money that do.
Super PACs and wealthy individuals on both sides funnel money into advertising that also seeks to divide us. Money and special interests have learned well how to dominate our political systems. Political parties have evolved and have become controlled by the extreme elements of each side, exaggerating their representation and power in our government. This is not how our Founding Fathers thought we would be governing today. Ideally, our representatives should represent the majority point of view of their entire constituency, which is not usually at either end of the spectrum, but somewhere in the middle. Like Walker and Mallott, we need to table some issues for now. With so much work to do in this state and in this country it is not the time to remain paralyzed by partisanship.
Of course those who make their living and their fame from divisiveness and inflaming emotions have been the first to decry this kind of cooperation. But these talk show hosts and professional columnists would have nothing to say or do if they couldn't complain about each other. They thrive on gridlock and polarization. Some will say this union is for political expediency, and they are right. Isn't it about time that political expediency and working together for all Alaskans coincides?
Here in Alaska, we have an opportunity to demonstrate to the rest of the country how democracy can work. How common sense can rule the day. How people from different backgrounds, perspectives and even political parties can come together to accomplish something. If they are elected, Bill Walker and Byron Mallott will be making history, but more importantly they will be making progress. Pushing aside partisanship and moving forward on the critical issues this state can solve, while living with and accepting the differences we cannot seem to resolve at this time. Leading by example, independent candidates are bucking the system all around the country, giving voters a different choice. They are even winning elections because many voters are tired of the political polarization that the two parties and the primary system force on us. We need statesmen that can think independently and represent an intelligent, common-sense point of view -- a point of view that most Alaskans I know seem to share.
John Staser is an Anchorage businessman and a member of the Alaska Dispatch News guest editorial board.
The views expressed here are the writer's own and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a piece for consideration, email commentary(at)alaskadispatch.com