Insanity is described as performing the same action over and over again and expecting different results every time. The age old example is hitting one’s thumb with a hammer and not expecting it to become bloodied and bruised with every swing. But perhaps a better example is voting for the same two political parties and expecting different results every election.

After having suffered eight years of Republicans waging unconstitutional war in Iraq, passing unconstitutional measures to combat terrorism, abandoning the free market to bailout mortgage companies, and extending socialized medicine through Medicare reform, Americans in 2008 were quick to vote for the Democrats promising “hope and change”.

But after only two years, Americans saw little “hope and change” as Democrats continued unconstitutional war in Iraq (while starting unconstitutional military action in Libya), extended unconstitutional measures to combat terrorism, ignored the free market to bailout the banks and automobile companies, and extended socialized medicine with healthcare reform.

So, disgruntled and disillusioned, Americans voted in 2010 to return Republicans to power in the House of Representatives, even though their “Pledge to America” revealed that their policies have not changed since their eight years controlling the country.

Like a fool hitting his thumb with a hammer over and over again, hoping it will get better with every swing, Americans have been switching back-and-forth between Democrats and Republicans, hoping things will change for the better with every election.

The stark reality is that neither party offers any significant change, as little difference exists between the two. While they appear to be at odds with one another, they are cooperating, either deliberately or inadvertently, to increase the power of the state while stripping away your rights as a citizen.

Democrats want to tell you what food to eat, what video games to play, what healthcare to buy, and what employees to hire. Republicans want to tell you what to put in your own body, who to sleep with or marry, when to pray, and what to do on Sundays.

Democrats want more of your taxpayer money to fund more entitlement programs that may (or rather, may not) help the poor, needy, and uninsured. Republicans want more of your taxpayer money to fund more wars, surveillance, and security that may (or rather, may not) help protect us from terrorist attacks.

Democrats want to increase the welfare state while Republicans want to increase the police state; and, in return, both demand your silent obedience and blind loyalty, whether through paying your taxes or supporting the troops. Any form of dissent is viewed as “un-American” or “un-patriotic”. Either way, both parties are increasing the power of the state while decreasing your power as a citizen.

Thus we cannot expect change by voting for the other party. Both parties have proven to be incompetent and uncaring. Change will only come if we vote for an independent party that actually cares about our individual liberties, and thus limited government. Voting any other way is insanity.