---

 ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Mar-2024/026b.jpg)

 [ VOICES ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=375)

#  Who Murdered the American Political Center?

March 28 2024

Written by Richard Lee Abrams.

<a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"></a><a class="a2a_button_print"></a>[](https://www.addtoany.com/share)

THE VIEW FROM HERE - We need no CSI forensic team to identity the culprit. It was the American Political Science Association (APSA). In 1950 it published Toward a More Responsible Two-Party System. At the time, it was nincompoopery based upon zero comprehension of American principles and was a formula for disaster. The rightful condemnation which it received, however, may have allowed it to survive as so many scholars thought it was too outrageously imbecilic to have any influence. They underestimated the gullibility of the American public and the machinations of anti-social power mongers who realized the division meant money and power. See [Hate Money Stalks America ](https://bit.ly/3fUBy1z)

In essence, the 1950 APSA report said that America should have two political parties with totally separate political platforms. Then, the voters could chose one party which would implement its policies and discarding all dissent. If the voters were unhappy, then in the next elections, they could vote for the other party and reverse everything which had been done.

The aspect of American politics which they wanted to abolish was the fact that many GOP were more liberal than many Dems and likewise, many Dems were more conservative than many GOP. As a result, when all these Congressmen and Senators got to Washington, there was no national party agenda. Instead, they listened to the concerns of their constituents back home in Ohio, Oregon, and North Carolina which resulted in a government of compromise and cooperation. See [Yascha Mounk ](Http://bit.ly/2KwLXC8) Of course, politics never ran smoothly, but that is due to human nature. The role of government in America, however, was established in the Declaration of Independence. It was to provide the context which protected each individual’s inalienable right including Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness (LLPH). People remember LLPH, but often forget that mutual cooperation is essential to protecting individual rights.

In the 1950's, we had fringe extremists such as Senator Joseph McCarthy (R-WI), we had communists, we had the American Nazi Party, and the John Birch Society. McCarthy was most famous not only for his extremism but for his total fall from power, after Boston lawyer Joseph Welch told McCarthy during a televised Senate Hearing said, "Until this moment, Senator, I think I never really gauged your cruelty or your recklessness." Welch ended with the question, “Have you no sense of decency?” McCarthy’s extremism violated the core American value of mutual cooperation and respect of the individual.

Conservative TV host and commentator, William Frank Buckley Jr., was in the forefront of ousting the John Birch Society from the GOP party as well as opposing left wing extremist such as communists (who actually existed in the 1950's).

**Why Extremism was Expelled by Both Parties**

The lack of a national mandatory policy for their Dems or the GOP was due to the parties’ having a spectrum of overlapping constituents. In those days, each political party was a variation on a theme, and not a rejection of mutual cooperation. As Martin Luther King observed, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” MLK was not the first to make this observation about America, but MLK had the genius to succinctly state American values, e.g., “I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

Both concepts were based on the recognition that America was not yet perfect, but that slowly we were advancing together in the right direction. When attorney Welch brought down Sen. McCarthy by asking, “Have you no sense of decency?,” Americans shared a common culture. In the 1930's when Superman said, “Truth, justice and the American was,” it was in opposition of Nazi extremism. No one could stray too far for too long from the center.

**The Division which Destroyed America**

In the 1960's and after, America allowed power-mongers to emerge who sought only power and not the general welfare. They jettisoned the core of American Constitutional law in Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954) by excluding Blacks from having the inalienable right of Liberty. On even an even deeper level, the opinion denigrated the ability of American Blacks by also depriving their of the inalienable right to Pursuit of Happiness. Instead, the Supreme Court started us on terrible track of division where Blacks had the right of integration if and only if their achievements were lower than those of Whites. Under the logical extension of the Brown philosophy, it is not sufficient that each person have the right to pursue Happiness, but rather Blacks were entitled to “happiness of outcome.” Equality of outcome replaced equality of opportunity.

**Extremism Kills**

America no longer has two political parties which are a variation on a theme, but two parties which are captive by their most extreme elements. The extremists specialize in cancel culture. Both will stamp out any sense of cooperation with the other. When former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) worked with Dems to pass a budget to prevent the nation from default, the extreme MAGA made a motion to remove him from the Speakership. In one of the greatest betrayals of America and of the US Constitution, all the Dems voted with the extreme MAGA to oust McCarthy. Had they voted with centrist GOP to retain McCarthy, MAGA would have become impotent and Donald Trump’s political prospects seriously injured. The Dem extreme Wokers, however, did not want a centrist government. If the center GOP and center DEM came together to make Kevin McCarthy Speaker, the Wokers would likewise be impotent. The center GOP and center DEM are far greater in numbers than the lunatic fringe (roughly 85% to 15%). The center can cooperate for the mutual benefit of America. Instead, we have extremism which has abandoned Ukraine, abandoned Israel and supported Hamas thereby strengthen all the Islamists worldwide, and have left our Southern Border in chaos.

Today’s historians look at pre WW II Germany and point out crucial moments when Hitler could have been stopped. Future historians will do the same with America. I suspect that future analysts will find the refusal of the Dems to support Kevin McCarthy for House Speaker to have been the alea jacta est moment when the die was cast.

**The APSA Got its Way**

We have two political parties which are ruled by their insane extremists who only care about their petty personal power; the national welfare be damned. It fact, that is close to the marching song of the Wokers, Damn America. They clearly state that America must be destroyed as it is built on White racism. For Wokers, individual inalienable rights are a White man’s construct; rather, people are henceforth to be judged by the group to which they are assigned. As we learn from Wokers demonstrating in the streets, for them the only way to throw off the yoke of the Oppressors is to exterminate Jews — then the Whites.

*(Richard Lee Abrams has been an attorney, a Realtor and community relations consultant as well as a CityWatch contributor. You may email him at [RickLeeAbrams@Gmail.com.)](mailto:RickLeeAbrams@Gmail.com)*

 [ ![LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20level%20pay%205-7-25.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)")

 ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/banners/signup-for-cw.png)

## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays &amp; Thursdays

 Website

 [ ![Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/HHR/AHF-rent-too-high.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/104 "Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2")

 ---

##  Featured CityWatch Stories

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/a9/070g-a9407aaa.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33278:they-said-it-made-no-sense-then-they-voted-yes&catid=327)

### [They Said It Made No Sense. Then They Voted Yes.](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33278:they-said-it-made-no-sense-then-they-voted-yes&catid=327)

INVESTIGATIVE ANALYSIS - Sacramento has streamlined housing approvals so aggressively that residents rarely get a heari…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/20/070h-20f29015.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33277:trump-world-from-assassination-abroad-to-chaos-at-home&catid=395)

### [Trump World. From Assassination Abroad to Chaos at Home](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33277:trump-world-from-assassination-abroad-to-chaos-at-home&catid=395)

GELFAND’S WORLD - We’re at a moment when all sorts of political questions are coming to a head. And if that old phrase…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/88/071n-88bb0b90.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33300:follow-the-money-how-does-a-3-662-apartment-become-affordable-housing&catid=312)

### [Follow the Money: How Does a $3,662 Apartment Become “Affordable Housing”?](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33300:follow-the-money-how-does-a-3-662-apartment-become-affordable-housing&catid=312)

INVESTIGATIVE ANALYSIS - ED 1 Is Redeveloping Los Angeles—One Neighborhood at a Time You know that persistent, annoyin…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/4b/070i-4ba64015.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33283:newsoms-next-immigration-gamble-defy-federal-law-and-dare-washington-to-fight-back&catid=375)

### [Newsom’s Next Immigration Gamble: Defy Federal Law And Dare Washington To Fight Back](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33283:newsoms-next-immigration-gamble-defy-federal-law-and-dare-washington-to-fight-back&catid=375)

MY THOUGHTS - Gov. Gavin Newsom is about to decide whether California should take another extraordinary gamble with fed…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/44/071d-441a7ed2.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33308:as-california-debated-sharing-data-on-drivers-homeland-security-subpoenaed-17-million-records&catid=425)

### [As California Debated Sharing Data On Drivers, Homeland Security Subpoenaed 17 Million Records](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33308:as-california-debated-sharing-data-on-drivers-homeland-security-subpoenaed-17-million-records&catid=425)

TECHNOLOGY - California lawmakers wrestled with a difficult question earlier this summer: Could the state safely share…

---

##  [ VOICES ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=375)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Sept-2026/071m.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33301:the-limit-of-coercion-israels-strategic-delusion&catid=375)### [The Limit Of Coercion: Israel’s Strategic Delusion](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33301:the-limit-of-coercion-israels-strategic-delusion&catid=375)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Sept-2026/071l.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33302:wendell-berry-august-5-1934-august-31-2026-a-guiding-light-a-man-far-ahead-of-his-time&catid=375)### [Wendell Berry (August 5, 1934 – August 31, 2026): A Guiding Light, A Man Far Ahead of His Time ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33302:wendell-berry-august-5-1934-august-31-2026-a-guiding-light-a-man-far-ahead-of-his-time&catid=375)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/070i.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33283:newsoms-next-immigration-gamble-defy-federal-law-and-dare-washington-to-fight-back&catid=375)### [Newsom’s Next Immigration Gamble: Defy Federal Law And Dare Washington To Fight Back](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33283:newsoms-next-immigration-gamble-defy-federal-law-and-dare-washington-to-fight-back&catid=375)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/070b.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33285:should-driverless-cars-continue-to-be-tested-waymo-often-when-real-lives-are-at-stake&catid=375)### [Should Driverless Cars Continue to Be Tested WayMo Often When Real Lives Are At Stake?](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33285:should-driverless-cars-continue-to-be-tested-waymo-often-when-real-lives-are-at-stake&catid=375)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/070e.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33275:nithya-raman-has-yet-to-address-hasan-pikers-antisemitism-controversy&catid=375)### [Nithya Raman Has Yet to Address Hasan Piker’s Antisemitism Controversy](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33275:nithya-raman-has-yet-to-address-hasan-pikers-antisemitism-controversy&catid=375)
<div data-id="1" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-emailform eb-1 eboxContentLocker"
	data-options='{"trigger":"onPageLoad","trigger_selector":"","delay":3000,"early_trigger":true,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":1,"reverse_scroll_close":true,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":10000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"slideInDown","animation_close":"fadeOutDown","animation_duration":400,"disable_page_scroll":true,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #1 - Global Email Signup Form","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog eb-formVer" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog1" aria-label="dialog1">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<form action="https://citywatchla.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=34d69f33624fd058ee9b56516&amp;id=4bfa422f51&amp;f_id=00d6c2e1f0" class="eb" method="post" id="mcform-1" name="mcform-1" target="_blank">
			<div class="eb-form-header"><p><img src="/images/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png" alt="be a city watcher" width="350" height="97" loading="lazy" data-path="local-images:/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png"></p>
<p>Sign up to receive our special e-news blasts on Monday and Thursday evenings!</p></div>
	
					<div class="eb-field-row">

			
			
			
			<input class="eb-input" type="email" name="EMAIL"  placeholder="Email address"  id="EMAIL" value="" required>

			
		</div>
										
	<div class="eb-footer">
    	<button class="eb-btn" type="submit" name="subscribe" style="background-color:rgba(93, 183, 93, 1);color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 1)">
    		Sign up    	</button>
    </div>
</form>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>
<div data-id="3" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-yesno eb-3 "
	data-options='{"trigger":"onScrollDepth","trigger_selector":"","delay":0,"early_trigger":false,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":2,"reverse_scroll_close":false,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":1000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"fadeInUp","animation_close":"fadeOut","animation_duration":300,"disable_page_scroll":false,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #3 - Yes \/ No Donation Popup Box","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog " role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog3" aria-label="dialog3">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<div class="ebox-yes-no">
	<div class="ebox-yn-text">
		
		
		<div class="ebox-yn-headline" style="font-size:22px;color:#888888">
			<p>If you only give once a month, would you consider giving to CityWatch?</p>
<p>Your support fuels our mission to promote and facilitate civic engagement and neighborhood empowerment, and to hold area government and its politicians accountable.</p>
<p>Would you like to help? Even if you can only give $5, it will make a difference.</p>		</div>
			</div>
	
	<div class="ebox-ys-buttons" style="font-size: 16px;">
		
<a
					data-ebox-prevent="0"
		data-ebox-cmd="close"
				target="_self"
		href="https://www.citywatchla.com/donate"
		rel="noopener"
	
	
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#2ec664;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Yes
	</a>
<a
	
	
			data-ebox-cmd="close"
		href="#"
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#ef2345;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Not Right Now
	</a>	</div>

	</div>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>
