Columbia, SC — The whole world watches our embarrassing fiscal woes. All because we don’t support a viable third party.

Two equal entities of any authority embody the propensity for stubborn gridlock. And the bigger the egos involved, the more likely a stalemate happens. Who has bigger egos than politicians?

Would you appoint as executors of your will, two children who routinely clash? No, because nothing would ever conclude. Your estate would be wasted by legal wrangling.

Say you’re accused of a crime: Would you want to be judged by two judges? One finds you guilty, and the other finds you innocent. So you rot in jail until they agree, if ever they do.

Electricians know that electricity flows with a positive and a negative current. But without the third factor, the grounding, an explosion may occur that can obliterate the project.

We know to plan in our personal decisions, but strangely, not in government. Fiscal cliffhangers are like mini-strokes that can lead to a major stroke, namely the implosion of our economy. A strong third party is essential to prevent inertia and keep progress rolling ever onward.

Lucette Dingle

Pendleton