withoutour two great political parties cutting across economic and geographic interest,democracy as we know it could never have been made to function.the author of this statement probably meant that;

The author meant that our two-political party system (Democrats and Republicans) are responsible for our democracy.

they are responsability to cultivate the democracy

The author of this statement is suggesting that the existence of two major political parties, regardless of their differences in economic or geographic interests, is crucial for the functioning of democracy. Without these parties, democracy would not be able to work effectively.

To understand the author's intended meaning, we can start by breaking down the statement:

1. "Without our two great political parties": This implies that there are two dominant political parties in the system being referred to. It is common for democratic countries to have multiple political parties, but the author emphasizes the significance of two major ones.

2. "Cutting across economic and geographic interests": This suggests that these two parties have members and supporters from various economic backgrounds and regions. They are not limited to specific interest groups but instead have a broader appeal.

3. "Democracy as we know it could never have been made to function": This highlights the importance of having these specific political parties in order for democracy to operate effectively. The author implies that the two-party system enhances the functioning of democracy, contributing to its success.

From this, we can conclude that the author's main point is that the two major political parties, regardless of their differences in economic or geographic interests, play a crucial role in allowing democracy to function effectively. Their presence ensures broader representation, healthy political competition, and effective governance, all of which are essential for democracy to thrive.