Primaries have no legitimate claim to be held as part of the governmental electoral process. As you have pointed out, the two parties are clubs. I call them special interest groups. They are NOT branches of government. The People don't pay for and hold elections for the Knights of Columbus, or the Rotary, or even the NAACP. Why should we in any way support the two parties that have inserted themselves between the People and their governments?
On the hand we have Madison's caution against "factions" and on the other by making primaries open we expose ourselves to mischief by party hacks. I'm afraid that the "faction" horse is well out of the stable never to return.
One other point, perhaps an overriding one. There is no requirement to join a political party. It is a strictly voluntary act. The only downside of not joining is not being allowed to participate in the selection of a candidate.
Primaries have no legitimate claim to be held as part of the governmental electoral process. As you have pointed out, the two parties are clubs. I call them special interest groups. They are NOT branches of government. The People don't pay for and hold elections for the Knights of Columbus, or the Rotary, or even the NAACP. Why should we in any way support the two parties that have inserted themselves between the People and their governments?
On the hand we have Madison's caution against "factions" and on the other by making primaries open we expose ourselves to mischief by party hacks. I'm afraid that the "faction" horse is well out of the stable never to return.
One other point, perhaps an overriding one. There is no requirement to join a political party. It is a strictly voluntary act. The only downside of not joining is not being allowed to participate in the selection of a candidate.