Democrats or Republicans: The lesser of two evils?
Introduction.
OPINION| Until politics become relevant, the average American pays little to no attention to politics. Political pundits who appear on networks like CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News, get paid to actively follow politics. However, the average American only pays attention when it's an election year. Some don't care or pay attention even then. Since many people choose to not do their own research on candidates, many develop a thinking that one political party is better than the other. Is this really the case when it comes to the two major political parties in America; Democrats and Republicans? Is one party really better than the other, or is choosing between the two the lesser of two evils? These are the questions I want to explore in this article, and hopefully I can receive feedback on it. Please continue reading.
Political stereotypes.
People who are interested in voting in elections, usually develop their political views from their environments while growing up. The general consensus among people is that Democrats tend to be for the poor, while Republicans tend to favor the rich. This way of thinking often stays with some people throughout their lives, even when they're old enough to think for themselves when it comes to these issues. There are other groups of individuals whose political thoughts and ideas change and develop with added knowledge, and growing with age. For some it's an ever-growing learning process with their minds constantly changing. Some people believe big government is a good thing, while others prefer to have little to no government in their lives. There will always be different views regarding politics, but there are always some facts that can't be denied. Lets explore a few facts regarding both parties.
Democrats and Republicans facts.
Regardless as to whether you prefer a Democrat or Republican in office, there are some facts we have to consider regarding politicians. First off, politicians are elected by the people right? Yes that is correct, but do they always do what is in the peoples best interest? Lets look at healthcare reform for example. There were many congressmen and congresswomen who went against what their constituents wanted in order to get President Obama's healthcare bill passed. Lets use former Michigan congressman, Bart Stupak as an example. Stupak, who is a Democrat, originally opposed the president's proposed healthcare bill. However, he had a change of heart at the last minute -- which lead to a compromise with the White House. Stupak's vote helped get the bill passed, but he paid a huge price for going against what many of his constituents wanted. He received a death threat following the passage of the bill, and decided not to run for re-election. It seems that both political parties are not willing to do what's in the best interest of the people they're working for. Last years budget battle is another example. It appears that neither Democrats or Republicans were willing to make the tough cuts to help lower the huge deficit the country is facing.
More facts, and are Third Parties needed?
There is another point to consider regarding Democrats and Republicans. Most of their campaign contributions come from big corporations, big banks, and lobbyist. Sure, many receive political donations from everyday citizens, but the bulk of their money comes from more well-funded sources. I'm a firm believer that when someone is putting huge dollars behind anything, then that person or corporation receiving the money must do what they say. Maybe this is why the big banks and mortgage companies received bailouts instead of the American people. I think that both parties are out of touch with the American people in general. It's beginning to show more and more than people are getting tired of both Democrats and Republicans. We're seeing proof of it right now in the Republican primary battle currently taking place. Voter turnout during this primary battle has been low in several states. The Illinois primary took place this past Tuesday, and was met with a disappointing turnout. Out of the 1,288,293 registered voters, only 308,063 showed up at the polls. Some may attribute this to a weak field of candidates, but many feel that nothing will change regardless of who ends up receiving the Republican nomination, or who ends up in the White House next. This in turn leads to people staying home instead of going to the polls. I personally believe that a legitimate Third Party is needed in the United States. Sure we have plenty of other political parties, but none of them are strong or organized enough to take on the established Democrat and Republican parties.
Conclusion.
So is choosing between a Democrat or Republican like choosing the lesser of two evils? As I've gotten older and become more aware of politics, I feel the answer is yes. However, like many other things in life, it depends on who you ask. Some people are extremely loyal to a certain candidate or political party. These people most likely are not going to change their way of thinking, and you must tread softly with your words regarding their preference. Politics often tends to bring out anger and heated debates from some people. I know people right now who are quick to get angry if you say anything negative about a candidate they support. This is totally fine in my opinion. At the end of the day, we live in a nation where we are allowed to think what we want. I just wish that more people would broaden their minds and do their own research. What do you think? I would love to see your feedback on this topic. Thanks for reading.
References:
http://www.dailyfinance.com/2010/10/13/the-10-biggest-corporate-campaign-contributors-in-u-s-politics/
http://chicago.gopride.com/entertainment/column/index.cfm/col/981
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_party_(United_States)
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2011/03/bart-stupak-a-year-after-health-care-getting-bitched-out-in-airports-how-the-deal-went-down-and-more/72938/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bart_Stupak
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