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The United States is an incredible place to live. While some might be quick to critique the fragility of the American Dream, there’s no denying that this country offers us opportunities that are in scarce supply elsewhere. I’m always amazed walking around my home city of Washington, D.C. and seeing the plethora of diverse faces and multicultural influence harmoniously nestled in our nation’s capital.
America has a lot going for it. But why does it feel like such a dysfunctional mess at times?
To say that our politics are in a disarray would be an understatement. Recent polling by the Bullfinch Group discovered that 80% of political independents disapproved of the jobs that Congress was doing. What’s more, nearly 83% of respondents state that they view the political climate in America in a totally negative light. But these dismal numbers don’t stop there. When asked if they felt that their voices were being heard in Washington on key issues that matter for them, 66% of independents answered no.
To me, there’s a great deal of irony in this data. The United States frequently prides itself as being the model for liberalism, democracy, discourse, and tolerance. Look at the work the United States Department of State conducts in regards to elections in places like Ecuador and West African countries.
While our democratic model certainly isn’t on the same level as other states in the international system, it appears that we might be putting on a fake smile (of sorts) to mask the frustrations that are mounting internally.
The fastest growing demographic in the country is political independents. Or in other words, people who are fed up with Republicans’ and Democrats’ partisan games. As a self-identified independent, I want a Congress that addresses pertinent issues rather than engage in political theater. I care about the price of gas, but I also care about social reforms. I think free speech is a crucial pillar of our democracy, but realize that there needs to be reasonable limitations.
Above all, I believe that empathy, compassion, and understanding should return to public discourse. Party allegiances aren’t like football teams. I don’t need to actively wish for their demise. After all, we are all Americans and should want the best for everyone.
If we’re to help ease the negative outlook on our political climate, listening to the concerns of constituents and working to solve their problems is a vital place to start. After all, that’s what representative democracy is all about.
