Free and open primaries

“Ye Party Zealots, thus it fares with you,

When Party Rage too warmly you pursue;

Both Sides club Nonsense and impetuous Pride,

And Folly joins whom Sentiments divide.”

~ Benjamin Franklin

The danger of powerful political parties being obsessed with dominating and destroying democracy was also echoed by our greatest founder George Washington when in his farewell address he cautioned that “In contemplating the causes which may disturb our union,” he particularly identified the “spirit of party,” which he warned would ultimately lead to “permanent despotism” and thus destruction of government of...