Celebrating the 200th Anniversary of “The Corrupt Bargain”

The Inept Bargain of 2024 Was A Historical Parallel

About two months ago, The Inept Bargain was offered to the American people. Millions of people participated in this process. Millions of people sat it out. Few, if any, understand the moment in history that is upon us. We must learn from this moment, and from history. After the inept bargain, could be the rise of meritocracy.

Here’s the revised version with added transition words for smoother flow:

Two centuries ago, the 1824 presidential election marked a moment of significant political upheaval. In this pivotal contest, four candidates—all from the Democratic-Republican Party—vied for the presidency. However, the race ended without a majority in the Electoral College, throwing the final decision to the House of Representatives. Ultimately, John Quincy Adams emerged victorious, thanks to the controversial support of Henry Clay. This event, later known as “The Corrupt Bargain,” not only sparked widespread outrage but also signaled the beginning of the end for the Democratic-Republican monopoly, sowing the seeds for a new political order.

Back To The Future…Again

Fast forward 200 years, and we find ourselves in another pivotal moment—but instead of a vibrant contest of competing visions, the 2024 election offered Americans what could only be described as “The Inept Bargain.”

The Democrats’ Dilemma: A Comedy of Ineffectiveness

For Democrats, the choice in 2024 was between two flawed candidates:

• Joe Biden, whose gaffes, lapses in focus, and Ford-like physical stumbles underscored a perception of comedic ineptitude. While the Biden administration delivered on some legislative achievements, his public appearances often highlighted his age and cognitive decline, making him a target for ridicule and doubt.
  
• Kamala Harris, who failed to articulate a coherent vision for her leadership. Her public appearances rarely offered specifics, often recycling Biden’s talking points or delivering baffling statements that left audiences asking, “Who is Kamala Harris, really?” Her campaign seemed less about inspiring the public and more about avoiding being Trump or Biden—without defining a compelling alternative.
  

How Democracy Really “Works”

Behind closed doors, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) deliberately orchestrated the primary process to ensure that these two candidates were the only viable options. In doing so, the DNC reinforced the party’s notoriously opaque approach to primaries, which often leaves voters feeling excluded from meaningful participation. Furthermore, by preemptively sidelining any potential challengers who might have introduced fresh ideas or alternative leadership, the party solidified its control over the outcome. This maneuver not only stifled competition but also deepened public skepticism about the fairness and transparency of the Democratic Party’s internal processes.

The Republicans: Repeating 2020’s Playbook

On the Republican side, Donald Trump loomed large, not because of merit but because of inertia. The GOP’s 2024 strategy essentially mirrored the Democrats’ 2020 playbook: a crowded field of surrogates pretending to compete, only to “roll up” their supporters into Trump’s camp.

Figures like Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley appeared to mount legitimate campaigns, but the endgame was predictable. Their supporters and endorsements gradually consolidated around Trump, creating the illusion of a competitive primary while ensuring his uncontested dominance.

This strategy worked in terms of public appearance, but it underscored the GOP’s lack of genuine leadership. Despite Trump’s vulnerabilities—both rhetorically and substantively—no one in the party dared to truly challenge him. This unopposed path wasn’t a testament to his strength but to the GOP’s institutional failure to provide a credible alternative.

Collusion in Plain Sight: A Rigged Illusion of Democracy

The 2024 election revealed a deeper and more troubling dynamic: a subtle yet unmistakable collusion between Trump and his supposed “opponents” across the aisle. On the surface, the campaigns appeared to be adversarial, with each side claiming to champion its own values. However, upon closer examination, it became increasingly clear that both parties were more invested in preserving their shared grip on power than in providing a genuine choice to the American people. This coordinated effort, though rarely acknowledged outright, underscored the extent to which the two-party system has become less about competing ideologies and more about maintaining the status quo.

The Democrats, in their refusal to offer a strong alternative, effectively handed Trump the advantage. Meanwhile, the Republicans ensured no meaningful opposition to Trump within their own ranks. The result? A preordained contest that gave voters the illusion of choice but left millions of Americans feeling disillusioned.

In this way, both parties, through their own distinct strategies, worked together to maintain the status quo. This tacit arrangement effectively bypassed the consent of the governed, prioritizing the consolidation of their own power over genuine democratic representation.

A Show of Ineptitude: Votes Left Uncounted

Adding to the farce, the election process itself further exacerbated public frustration. Votes remained uncounted for weeks, which only reinforced the growing perception that America no longer takes its democracy seriously. Moreover, the delays and confusion became emblematic of the broader dysfunction within the political system—a system that increasingly prioritizes theatrics over legitimacy.

The Total Reunification of the Democratic-Republican System

The 2024 election marked the symbolic re-unification of the two-party system into something resembling the old Democratic-Republican monopoly of the early 19th century. But while the candidates of 1824 were brilliant statesmen offering competing visions for the future, today’s choices were defined by their mediocrity.

This reunification isn’t a cause for celebration—it’s a sign that the system is broken. History teaches us that monopolies on power are inherently unstable. The “Corrupt Bargain” of 1824 eventually shattered the Democratic-Republican stranglehold on American politics, giving rise to new parties and movements. Could 2024 be the moment when the two-party system begins to crumble under its own weight?

A Choice of Shades: Awful for the Majority

In 1824, any choice would have been a good one, given the caliber of the candidates. In 2024, for a majority of Americans, the choice was between three or four shades of awful. This election was not about choosing the best leader but about navigating the least damaging option, a stark contrast to the democratic ideals the nation claims to uphold.

Time for a New Political Order

If history is any guide, the monopoly on American politics is overdue for a reckoning. The Inept Bargain of 2024 highlights a system in desperate need of reform, where the public deserves more than a rigged spectacle of preordained candidates and party collusion.

Two hundred years ago, “The Corrupt Bargain” set the stage for change. The question now is whether Americans will seize this moment to demand a new political order—or resign themselves to another century of inept bargains.