Illustration by Camden Andl ’19
By Frankie Pastor ’20
THE ROUNDUP
One of the greatest characteristics of the United States is the ideal that everyone has a right to believe in whatever they want, to be whatever they dream and to be a part to a part of whatever political parties that they wish to be affiliated with.
According to the latest Gallup poll, 26 percent of the overall population are registered with the Republican party. Meanwhile 29 percent are affiliated with the Democratic party.
With both parties having different beliefs and morals, they are elected to influence the different branches of government and the creation of new laws.
Of course, everyone enjoys speaking about something that has been successfully accomplished by their parties, such as President Barack Obama’s healthcare plan in 2013 or President Ronald Reagan’s economic plan in 1981. However, there is one thing that many people are timid to share their opinion on: what both political parties are doing wrong.
Whenever a new administration or crisis arises, every political figure always acts like a child and plays the game of “cat and mouse.” The politicians chase those who they think are at fault for their own issues.
According to student Campbell Helt ’20, a Republican, “Instead of accomplishing something, they are always looking for others to blame for a fault that they have committed. When George Washington was leaving office, he stated that having different political parties would be the death of the nation. I feel that he is correct. The political parties are the reason why the country is so divided.”
In many ways, President Washington was correct. When more issues arise through political differences, the people will rise against these political platforms.
With both parties suffering scandals, they have created distrust for the federal government.
According to the latest Gallup poll, only 21 percent of Americans trust the executive branch. Meanwhile, 16 percent greatly trust the judicial, and only 3 percent trust the legislative branch.
Members of both parties must reflect how their actions are destroying the nation, or the issue will forever taint the true meaning of how a democracy is supposed to work.
