Where is the party at? (or party politics: progressive or digressive)

A political party is a group of people, bonded together by a common interest, ideology, view or moral standard that try and complete certain political objectives or agendas. Political parties have been around since the beginning of the republican style of government. It seems that our fundamental conception of the usefulness of parties in politics has changed since the formation of our government. If we look at George Washington’s farewell address in 1796, he clearly states that party distinctions are dangerous for a democracy… “and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally.” Washington recognizes that this sort of take sides spirit is inherit in our psyche as humans, but also calls parties “worst enemy” of a government. One of the points that I respect greatly in Washington’s speech is his point to “remember that time and habit are at least as necessary to fix the true character of governments as of other human institutions; that experience is the surest standard by which to test the real tendency of the existing constitution of a country;…” Washington certainly formed his opinion of party politics, but did not see the effect of “time” and “habit” and “experience.” Washington and Tom DeLay have polar opposite views on the subject of Party politics. Is either one of them right? I do not know that is why I am taking the class.