I get frustrated anytime people say there is no difference between a Republican and a Democrat, which is why it doesn’t matter whom they vote for. While it’s true both parties have many overlapping views, there are fundamental differences that formulate two unique parties. Yet over the next nine months, we’re going to hear this ridiculous statement from people who are flustered with politics.

As Howard Dean’s campaign gasps for its last breath of air, many of his supporters have given into inevitability and decided to support the future Democratic nominee. There are, however, holdouts who would rather not vote for the Democratic nominee because they’re following a “Dean or Green” mantra. It’s noble that some people refuse to sway when it comes to their views, but it’s rather pointless when the worst contender possible wins because progressives backed someone who had no chance of winning.

It has become abundantly clear in the last three years that there are many differences between the two parties. There are still, however, too many people who refuse to open their eyes and witness the truth. People like Ralph Nader and his legion of followers have lost their credibility as they continue to hold this ignorant position. To say the country would be run the same if Al Gore had been president is nothing short of ludicrous.

President Bush has relaxed several environmental rules, created a monster deficit and destroyed civil rights in order to make our nation more “secure.”

Gore wasn’t close to perfect, but it’s safe to say he would have guided our country down a different path. The upcoming election will be extremely close, and a small minority like progressive Democrats will decide the outcome of the election.

I loathed the Green Party after the 2000 elections because I felt they were greedy and robbed Al Gore of the White House. To me, the Democrats would always have a natural disadvantage since they would have to cater to the Green Party at times. People could weaken the party and jump ship if they felt the party was moving to far into the center.

Republicans on the other hand, could stay strong because dissatisfied people had nowhere to go. Currently, there are hoards of grumbling conservatives who detest the president’s lack of fiscal responsibility but will still vote for the party because they have nowhere else to go. 

That’s when I realized this is actually an advantage. In theory, it forces the Democratic Party to bend over to accommodate the needs of everyone and continually evolve. Instead of being unresponsive and only helping a select few like the GOP has, the Democrats have to constantly stay on their toes in order to keep their votes.

This seems like a naïve conclusion because it’s obvious this hasn’t happened in the past few years, and it’s why the Democrats got burned in 2000. They seem, however, more willing to listen and make adjustments in their strategy because they’ve realized the consequences. Although there is plenty of ground to make up, it seems like they’re becoming more active in listening to the concerns of the constituents. 

Now is not the time for ultraliberals to abandon the party in order to stay true to their grassroots. Greens have great ideas that will help America but, unfortunately, mainstream America isn’t able to deal with a massive reform all at once.

It’s unreasonable to expect a revolution in the Democratic Party within one election cycle. Changes come slowly, and if people refrain from jumping ship, they can flex their power and induce minute changes over time.

On Nov. 3, ultraliberals can tell all of their friends that they weren’t willing to compromise and voted for a candidate with no chance of winning the presidency, but it was irrelevant because they could sleep at night. But will it be worth it?

Bush has led the country down a dangerous path and we can’t afford to give him another four years. It’s time to put aside blind rhetoric and be more rationale. A three party system is not going to be viable for the foreseeable future.

The focus should be to strengthen the party by getting more people involved like Howard Dean has. John Kerry, John Edwards and Wesley Clark are not perfect candidates, but with enough support, we can shape these candidate’s platforms to our satisfaction.

Vijay Ramanavarapu is a junior in business. He can be reached for comment at [email protected].