WORST IDEA 11/4/10: Political parties

Be they Republicans, Democrats, Tea Partiers or anything else, the idea of political parties is silly. Why not let individuals express a broad array of ideas that don't neccessarily make sense? Sure, there would be politcal alliances, but why can't a Congressman agree with one group on healthcare and another on gay rights? Why does believing in less government have to mean someone is anti-abortion?