The last 18 months, America has witnessed the greatest reality tv show: The 2016 Presidential Election. Voters have felt cornered in this election, since both major-party candidates have such high disapproval rates, with Hillary Clinton at 46.3% and Donald Trump at 40.3%.  

However, for many voters there is a potential third option in Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson. Libertarian views focus on minimum government and maximum personal freedom.   As explained by the Libertarian Party of Utah, “Gary Johnson provides a representative for independent voters to express, both their wishes for more liberty coupled with a candidate for those who do not wish to support either Clinton or Trump.”

Unfortunately, here’s the problem with trying to vote for a third party candidate: the system is shaped in favor for the two major parties. The country is split down the middle, at almost exactly fifty percent, making it even harder to gain popularity or voters. Therefore, any minor party will struggle to get the media’s attention or time in the presidential debate and there is a stark lack of policy discussion as well.

The voters have watched as the candidates take low blows toward each other and maneuver questions as insults about their opponent. For example when Mr. Trump said during the second debate, about Mrs. Clinton’s husband. “If you look at Bill Clinton, far worse, mine are words, and his are action.” This comment is unnecessary, seeing as President Clinton isn’t running. Mrs. Clinton is also at fault for a similar offense by stating, “It’s just awfully good that someone with the temperament of Donald Trump is not in charge of the law in our country.” Because of comments like these, Americans have to dissect debates to find a strong comment about policy. This has lead many people to consider: should this be the structure of how we decide one of the most powerful leaders in the world?

The Libertarian party believes they have an answer to that question. In a statement, the party explained, “The majority of a campaign focus should be on policy. Of course, you have to also put on a pretty face and be a media darling as well. The media can fixate on an issue while ignoring much larger, policy issues.”  They’re saying that, the elections are focused on the drama or allegations made by the other side, instead of focusing on national and international problems.

The Libertarian party has a point: the structure of this election is breaking down the core values made by politicians and turning into a soap opera episode. If a person is under-educated about politics they rely on the mass news media to show the simple versions of the politician’s opinions. There is a no talk of policy, just scandals. As a country we cannot find the best candidate for America’s citizens. Here’s the answer: we follow the Libertarian ideas for how an election functions. We keep policy key to this debate and keep out any personal attacks.

There are many ways to make this idea a reality. The three or four major parties should all have equal amount of media coverage and debate time. Policy should be the foundation of the debates and moderators should force candidates to answer questions. The media has to only use headlines that would be useful to change or help a person’s opinion. This way the country prioritizes the most logical and best choices for candidates.  Unfortunately for this election, we will not see this new idea and are stuck with our own reality.