Lauren Whelan
Democrats and Republicans are trying to decide what should be done to prevent meddling by Russia in the 2018 midterms. The Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Intelligence Committee now have a good chance to lead a bi-partisan effort. Congress members are going to be very careful in how they approach the upcoming midterms after research proved that Russia did influence the 2016 presidential election. With Trump logging onto Twitter to further the divide between Democrats and Republicans, Congress members should take this opportunity to take a stand against the growing polarization.
The polarization between the two main parties has gotten so bad that Congress has a hard time doing their job. Polarization in Congress has resulted in gridlock and low quality legislation. Congress hasn't been able to get as much done, and what they do get done, is subpar at best. There is hardly an overlap in political ideology across the parties which makes bipartisan cooperation almost impossible. It would take an issue like Russia rigging our election system to create an opportunity for Democrats and Republicans to come together.
Some say that polarization is a good thing for our political system. Proponents argue that more people are getting involved in politics which is a good thing. As people are so strong in their political beliefs, people are turning out in higher numbers to vote and are trying to keep up with what is going on in the world. But, while people are more involved, this doesn't mean that their involvement is for the better. People are beginning to treat American politics more like a game where they are more focused on beating the other side than actually bettering society. When there is discourse from the citizenry, the two parties will drift father and farther apart.
I have even experienced this growing polarization in my college classrooms. When Republican Representative Jeff Flake gave a speech on why Congress members should come together apart from their party affiliation a peer in my class asked “what was the point of that? It doesn't do anything for us.” To which my professor asked her to clarify who the ‘us’ was that my classmate was referring to. “Democrats” was the response. A call to action for unity instead of division was disregarded because there wasn't a clear and immediate benefit for their party.
Democrat Mark Warner and Republican Richard Burr have shown how they intend to show bipartisan support in safeguarding American elections. Other members should follow their example and meet their counterpart in the middle. This comes in discussion with the other side and an openness to what they have to say. Members should emphasize to their constituents how important it is to see eye to eye with the other side. Change isn't going to happen overnight, but little by little, something can be done to help polarization.
When Congress members on the Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Intelligence Committee show a stance against polarization, other members are sure to follow their lead. Although maybe not all at once, small bipartisan efforts can soon have a ripple effect. With one comes another and another and another. Unity across the two parties on an issue relating to Russia will be able to make the United States seem strong against it’s enemies and show a step in the right direction.
Democrats and Republicans are trying to decide what should be done to prevent meddling by Russia in the 2018 midterms. The Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Intelligence Committee now have a good chance to lead a bi-partisan effort. Congress members are going to be very careful in how they approach the upcoming midterms after research proved that Russia did influence the 2016 presidential election. With Trump logging onto Twitter to further the divide between Democrats and Republicans, Congress members should take this opportunity to take a stand against the growing polarization.
The polarization between the two main parties has gotten so bad that Congress has a hard time doing their job. Polarization in Congress has resulted in gridlock and low quality legislation. Congress hasn't been able to get as much done, and what they do get done, is subpar at best. There is hardly an overlap in political ideology across the parties which makes bipartisan cooperation almost impossible. It would take an issue like Russia rigging our election system to create an opportunity for Democrats and Republicans to come together.
Some say that polarization is a good thing for our political system. Proponents argue that more people are getting involved in politics which is a good thing. As people are so strong in their political beliefs, people are turning out in higher numbers to vote and are trying to keep up with what is going on in the world. But, while people are more involved, this doesn't mean that their involvement is for the better. People are beginning to treat American politics more like a game where they are more focused on beating the other side than actually bettering society. When there is discourse from the citizenry, the two parties will drift father and farther apart.
I have even experienced this growing polarization in my college classrooms. When Republican Representative Jeff Flake gave a speech on why Congress members should come together apart from their party affiliation a peer in my class asked “what was the point of that? It doesn't do anything for us.” To which my professor asked her to clarify who the ‘us’ was that my classmate was referring to. “Democrats” was the response. A call to action for unity instead of division was disregarded because there wasn't a clear and immediate benefit for their party.
Democrat Mark Warner and Republican Richard Burr have shown how they intend to show bipartisan support in safeguarding American elections. Other members should follow their example and meet their counterpart in the middle. This comes in discussion with the other side and an openness to what they have to say. Members should emphasize to their constituents how important it is to see eye to eye with the other side. Change isn't going to happen overnight, but little by little, something can be done to help polarization.
When Congress members on the Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Intelligence Committee show a stance against polarization, other members are sure to follow their lead. Although maybe not all at once, small bipartisan efforts can soon have a ripple effect. With one comes another and another and another. Unity across the two parties on an issue relating to Russia will be able to make the United States seem strong against it’s enemies and show a step in the right direction.
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