Problem
As you may have already noticed, the Constitution was not written with Political Parties in mind. Whether it is intentional or an oversight, there is nothing in the Constitution that assumes political parties would exist. While Madison would argue in Federalist #10 that factions existed, it was assumed that the Constitution as written would prevent any one faction from becoming too powerful. (Madison would later become a big proponent and organizer of the Democratic-Republicans). Instead, the Constitution is based on the Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances, believing that the competition between the three branches would protect against tyranny. Parties, however, can transcend these boundaries, putting members of the same party in all three branches and giving them near-total control.
In what way do you think that Parties affect the way the Constitution is supposed to work? Is it a hindrance to Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances, or does it help in some way?