Collegiate Times

When Americans think of political strife, it’s usually liberal versus conservative, Republican versus Democrat (note the difference), and so on. A new trend is emerging, however, and it’s shaking the halls of Congress. We, the people, often forget that we are the power in this country. You can say I’m naïve to think that the average American has any influence over government, but the sense of dissatisfaction resonating throughout the land of the free is sending a clear message to our politicians.

The message was delivered in November 2006, when the country elected an overwhelming majority of Democrats to both the House and the Senate. Citing dissatisfaction with the war in Iraq and the various scandals implicating the employees at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., the country voted in another party, hoping to balance the Republican influence and create a more moderate and balanced government. Considering the president’s approval ratings have consistently been less than 40 percent, it shouldn’t have been hard for them to at least achieve higher marks then the Bush Administration. As we approach the midway mark for the 110th Congress, they stand with an even lower approval rating than the president, with 25 percent of the nation approving of their performance.

That means only one-third of the entire nation thinks the president is doing his job well, and a measly quarter of the nation’s population thinks they are well-represented by the Congress. I’m curious as to how many other nations in the world continue to support governments where at least 70 percent of the nation disapproves of its performance. In response to the new low numbers, members of either party are quick to blame the other. My representative, Eric Cantor (R-Va.), said “There is no question that the failure on the part of the Democrats in terms of their midterm exam is really a letdown to the expectations of the American people.”

Senate Majority-Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said this regarding the performance of the 110th: “The war in Iraq is dragging down people's confidence in what's going on in this country. The fact is that the Republicans aren't allowing us to proceed.” No matter which side you’re on, you should note the distinct lack of accountability from both parties.

Perhaps Cantor, Reid and their respective party-mates should consider the agenda of the American people, rather than of their individual party. The American Government is so detached from the will of the people that even bi-partisan bills don’t make the grade. Take the immigration bill, for example. Touted by the president and Democrats like Harry Reid and Ted Kennedy, it was hailed as a major bi-partisan accomplishment by both parties, yet was overwhelmingly rejected by the polled populous and was recently withdrawn from the floor, citing a lack of support.

When is the government going to assume some sort of collective accountability for its lack of accomplishments, and rectify the situation? The American people are tired of the partisan strife that has consumed constructive debate and inhibited the progression of this nation. We’ve elected Republicans, and they have failed. We’ve elected Democrats, and they’ve let us down as well. Perhaps what this nation needs is independent leadership, and a move away from the two-party system that so terrified our forefathers.

The American people are tired of excuses. We are tired of the war. We are tired of high-energy costs. We are tired of the battle over immigration. The question, now, is to whom do we turn? The president has long since abandoned his pledge to work on both sides of the aisle. The 110th Congress, lead by the “party for change” has done little to change anything. While Democrats and Republicans bicker over policy, nothing gets done.

The people of this country need to step away from the two party system that has kept us stagnant for so long. We need to evaluate candidates not by the “R” or “D” on the ballot but rather on their ability to serve the people who elect them. We need to elect candidates who remember that it is the people who give them their power, not the lobbyists, the interest groups, and their adherence to the party line, all of which have served to corrupt and degrade our system of government. We need to let go of our apathy and hold our elected officials accountable for their actions, or our problems now will continue to be so for years to come.

This overwhelming dissatisfaction serves as some faint hope, that maybe the people in the halls of government will start working together to accomplish something, or the American people will send them packing and find people that will. I encourage my fellow Americans to celebrate our Independence Day by using their constitutional rights to hold the members of our government accountable for their lack of progress.