By Christina Fermin
Politics and Society Columnist
As election season heats up and contenders begin there battle one thing is evidently clear. Politics is not what it used to be. Sure they jab and swing at one another and at times release explosive material or say inappropriate things to one another, but this year the election has become very polarized. Especially among the republican party where ideologies have shifted all the way to the right and they have done everything in their power to make sure our President does not succeed and in doing so, have hurt our chances of recovery every day that they fight the President and democrats against legislation and bills that have traditionally been met in the middle.
In the past we have seen moderate contenders on both sides of the party lines and in the past republican and democrats have always come together and worked together to solve issues and pass legislation. Since the republicans have taken hold of Congress last election and especially won among tea party lines, the tea party republicans are more vicious and less willing to work together. During a time when our politicians need to come together and work through one of the most challenging times in the history of this nation, you have grown adults acting like children. In the last 2 years the republican party has continuously made itself look bad and continues to be the party that refuses rather than the party thats willing to. While the democrats act like they have no back bone, at least they have attempted to try and work with republicans.
Now we can sit here and blast republican leadership as well as democratic leadership in the last few years, but to be honest what do you expect? This is the danger of having a two party system that runs along two ideologies that try to fit in a straight line. We all know and understand at this point nothing is ever black and white and both parties are full of shit. They have both made the same argument for the same issues for the past 40 years and the only thing that has changed is the fact that both parties are going to the extreme end of their spectrums with the republicans a little closer to the right than the democrats are to the left.
Every time you have third contender in the mix, they are constantly overshadowed, put down and made fun of by the mainstream media. Third party candidates, no matter how badly we need them, are shunned from politics. The two party system has eroded away at our civil liberties, the balance of power and made way for corruption in our politics that is quit frankly embarrassing. The money alone in political campaign spending is mind boggling and in the millions and billions. Money that can be used for the economy, closing of loopholes, feeding our 1 in 4 starving children and I can sit here and go on. What’s worse is that instead of shunning away and punishing these politicians, we feed into their lies and we join in on their bantering no matter how shallow or uncivil it may be. While television is the main reason for this, it shows the failure in our education system that many people cannot think critically or analyze a situation to come up with their own conclusions.
While there may be many reasons why not vote this year, there are many reasons on why you should vote this year and why voting now is more important than ever. We the people outnumber the ideological fanatics that vote by a high margin. Let’s take that high margin to the ballot box and show American politics that we the people who are mostly in the middle do care and does vote. This time when you vote, do not rely on your television to choose your vote. Take some time and learn about the issues, learn about the candidates and then pick your choice. Do not allow the television to dictate your vote, we have seen in the past what happens when the television chooses our vote, don’t forget about the results of the 2000 and 2004 elections.
Not registered to vote or unsure? Check out these websites to help you register: Rock the Vote or USA.gov.
About the Columnist
With a bachelors degree in political science from Florida Atlantic University, Christina Fermin has always cultivated her love for history, politics, sociology, ancient knowledge and teachings, the outdoors, the ocean and the environment. Christina strives to make our world better by helping us all create a new reality and understanding of all taking place here and now. You can reach her at Christina@MySavvySisters.Com