The rancor and bitterness reflected in modern politics between the two parties is astounding. The differences between the far right and far left are radical and huge, and never have they been more apparent. However, the mainstream population, both to the left and right of the center, gets along just fine with one another. This is because 80 percent of Americans’ differences are not all that great. They look for common results; their differences lie in how they go about getting those results and in their priorities. It is the choices in candidates and parties that are polar opposites from one another; the general population is centrist.
More than 40 percent of young Americans identify themselves as independent, according to several recent polls. The traditional voting along party lines seems to be ending with the current generation as new voters are disenchanted with partisan politics and the extreme prejudice between the opposing parties. This trend began in 1992 when Centrist Independent candidate Ross Perot garnered 19 percent of the votes for President. Since then, Independent voters, or ‘swing’ voters, have determined the Presidential winner. This has always been the case, but instead of having 90 percent of the population voting along party lines and the middle 10 percent voting independently, the number of voters in the middle is ballooning.
Independent voters are traditionally more conservative in regards to foreign affairs and tend to be progressive on social and domestic affairs, meaning both John McCain and Barack Obama appeal to these centrists. I suggest to you that it is no accident the winners of the primaries were the candidates who were perceived as crossing party lines and avoiding party politics. To independents, McCain is appealing on foreign issues, and Obama on domestic issues. Additionally, Independents also almost universally tend to view the Bush Administration negatively – as a series of squandered opportunities at best and an outright failure at worst.
The growing disdain and borderline hatred exhibited on both sides of the aisle is turning off many voters to the political parties, but the system provides them with no third option to express their dislike for the status quo. Perhaps the best example of partisan rancor is the treatment George Bush has received over the last eight years. It is not necessary to agree with or like someone to show them respect, and any President, as a holder of that office, is entitled to more respect than has been shown Mr. Bush.
Partisan politics is not a bad thing. The country was founded as a two party system and it ensures that both the majority and the minority have a voice in Congress. To those who more often than not find themselves on the side of the minority, this is a comforting fact. Today however, partisanship seems to have taken precedence over progress. Judicial nominations are stalled for years at a time which overburdens the courts and the policy initiatives of one party are attacked at any cost and for any reason by those across the aisle. The Founding Fathers created a two party system to ensure there was no tyranny of the majority, but they did not intend for differences to stand in the way of governing in general. Washington is out of touch with America in this regard – only those on the political extremes support the polarity currently seen in Washington. Those in the center find themselves annoyed with the constant posturing, frustrated with governments’ inability to enact real policies due to their bickering, and are searching for a third option.
The Centrist “Republicrats” have similar goals and common values, while differences exist, they are not so great that they cannot be overcome with concessions and a concerted effort to work together. Neither party seems to understand this; instead they choose to blame the opposition for all failings. America is indeed ready for change, but not to the left and not to the right. No matter what party controls the White House and Congress in the years to come, they would do well to remember that their mission in Washington is to make progress, not blame the opposition for the lack thereof. The next President initially won his party’s nomination by pledging to cross party lines and has a real opportunity to help put a stop to the rancor in Washington. That’s the change America is looking for, and that is the type of change America needs.
Popularity: 6% [?]
