On the Antiquation of Democratic-Republican Party Politics: Corporations for Congress

In a commentary for the San Francisco Chronicle, Abe Silvers and Ian Mitroff consider the assumptions and presumptions underlying Democratic-Republican Party politics and conclude that, "The need to move beyond these two worldviews has never been greater." They write:

Because assumptions are the basic elements of worldviews, it behooves us to examine them and to see how they shape important issues. Furthermore, because each party takes its assumptions for granted, they are rarely examined systematically, let alone side by side . . .

we are not restricted to these two worldviews. This is in fact one of the major reasons independents have become a powerful force. They are not willing to subscribe fully to either view. (We exclude Tea Partiers because their worldview is even more extreme than that of Republicans and hence admits of no compromise.) The need to move beyond these two worldviews has never been greater. For this reason, we believe that a national conversation (not merely summits) to formulate new perspectives is a priority of the highest order. In the best of all worlds, it could lead both parties to adopt new policy positions. If it doesn't, the case for a new third party, or parties, will be strengthened immeasurably.

In Maryland, Murray Hill Inc. is pushing this conversation forward. The corporation has decided to run for congress itself, rather than simply sponsor a Democratic or Republican candidate to represent its interests. Via Drudge Retort:

Murray Hill might be the perfect candidate for this political moment: young, bold, media-savvy, a Washington outsider eager to reshape the way things are done in the nation's capital. And if these are cynical times, well, then, it's safe to say Murray Hill is by far the most cynical.

That's because this little upstart is, in fact, a start-up. Murray Hill is actually Murray Hill Inc., a small, five-year-old Silver Spring public relations company that is seeking office to prove a point (and perhaps get a little attention) . . .

"Until now, corporate interests had to rely on campaign contributions and influence-peddling to achieve their goals in Washington," the candidate, who was unavailable for an interview, said in a statement. "But thanks to an enlightened Supreme Court, now we can eliminate the middle-man and run for office ourselves."

William Klein, a "hired gun" who has been enlisted as Murray Hill's campaign manager, said the firm appears to be the first "corporate person" to run for office and is promising a spirited campaign that "puts people second, or even third."

Murray Hill Inc. has already released their first campaign advertisement, which is well worth a view: