Newark, OH, City Council President Marc Guthrie suggests removing party labels from the ballot in an effort to reduce partisanship. I disagree.

Many times when I have gone in to the voting booth, I have wanted more information about the people I’m voting for. I have never wanted less information.

Candidates have party labels because they ask for money from political parties. If they don’t want their name to have a political party label, they shouldn’t take money from that party. I want to know to whom candidates are beholden. If you’re a politician who stands to benefit from people not knowing where you get your money, perhaps you should examine your affiliations rather than hide them from the public.

The fact that the labels may not be particularly useful lies with the fault of the parties. Between “Blue Dog” Democrats and big-government Republicans, we may not get what we expect if we vote the party line.

Partisan politics is detrimental when people get together lusting for an increase in their own political power. We do not have to tolerate this behavior. Each person still gets one vote. If you don’t like partisan politics, vote the partisans out, or run yourself. I may vote for you. :)