In wake of the government shut down many, Americans are seeking alternative solutions to the Two Party system that is unique to the United States.

As the government continues to be divided amongst Democrats and Republicans it gives the people of the U.S. a very black and white view of how they should identify themselves. The solution to this is a more broad interest into other minor political parties.

The most popular of these minor parties is the Libertarian Party, Green Party and the Constitutional party. Minor political parties may also be concentrated on state level issues. New York, Rhode Island and Alaska also have parties that are not represented in mainstream politics or media.

In recent years, Texas congressman Ron Paul has been the most popular minor party presidential candidate running in 2008 and also in 2012. Ralph Nader is also a familiar face to the Green Party of the United States. Nader ran for office in 2000 against Bush and Gore and was blamed for pulling away votes from Gore when he lost by one million votes.

What should be considered is that almost all other countries do not have just two polarizing parties; meaning that the political gridlock and government shutdowns do not happen in other westernized countries.

Also, those who feel isolated to voice their political beliefs no matter what should be more encouraged to speak up in their communities and in their government. This is a principle of democracy that many people do not exercise in American politics.

Democracy is built on expression and equal expression of all ideas to be considered and represented by the people, not conformity to one or two boxes that follow the one-size-fits-all mindset. The U.S. has more than 309,000,000 citizens, yet only a handful of active political parties.

On recent topics, such as the Affordable Healthcare Act and the government shut down, politicians in both parties admitted to following what their party was voting for, rather than voting as an individual. Actions like these are bound to continue with no end in sight of the traditional way of bipartisan government.

It is a responsibility of everyone in any functioning democracy to stand up for their beliefs and rather than relying on a party that is “good enough”. Instead Americans should represent what they want to see in their government, and in their country.