Collegiate Times

If Washington has not realized the significance of the three latest gubernatorial elections and the downturn of President Barack Obama’s approval ratings, it should fast track its learning curve before the midterm elections later this year. Nationwide, a trend seems to be prevailing above and beyond historical precedent — moderates hold the true power in determining outcomes of elections, and thus, our nation’s future.

Knowing this, it would behoove the Washington veterans to tailor their policies to fit the majority of the American people, rather than catering and pandering to lobbyists as they have done in the past. Could the new movement in American politics be the impetus for the diffusion of the two-party system that has kept us divided and polarized for centuries? And if it does, what does that mean for the future of politics in America?

In his farewell address in 1796, President George Washington warned of the perils that lie in the two-party system for the governing body of our country. He used words like “animosity,” “corruption” and “ill-founded jealousy” to describe what would come to fruition if the two-party system prevailed. Thus far, his predictions have proven uncanny in their accuracy. The political climate in our country has embodied all of these characteristics for decades, regardless of the party in power. For many of us, the situation seems hopeless; solutions, such as term limits for senators, while a step in the right direction, cannot provide us the long-term resolve that our country so desperately needs. Yet latest political trends have revealed a new paradigm shift: Moderates are gaining power.

In the presidential election of 2008, only approximately 57 percent of the nation’s population voted. Statistically, we can see that the candidates in modern elections are simply irrelevant to the majority of American people. For those who lack enthusiasm for modern elections, it can often be traced back to extremist agendas that have become the staple of politics in America.

Where are the candidates who address core issues that affect every American, not just a narrow group? What we can expect from a moderate that we cannot expect from a Republican or Democrat is a freedom to pursue courses of action that do not necessarily adhere to a certain set of predetermined mantras orchestrated by a political party. Thus, the obligation to the people supersedes all others. Lobbyists and party loyalty have no place in national politics. Rather, we should demand a loyalty to the American
people as a whole from our candidates.

Decades of majority rule by both parties have proven that the more dominated Washington is by one group or another, the more astray the country seems to be led. In a time where we constantly look to leadership for inspiration and are consistently disappointed with every viable elect chosen, a change is truly in order. For Washington, this means someone who shuns party politics and embraces a move toward the middle.

Thus far, Washington has not responded accordingly. Therefore, the responsibility to change the way we live lies with the people. Rather than furthering the same cycle of extremist party politics and polarized alliances, let us find solution in  moderation.

A version of this article appeared in the Feb 2 issue of the Collegiate Times.