It’s always a great day to be an American, but nothing beats being an American on Election Day. There’s just something about filling out the ballot and receiving a sticker that makes me feel important and that my voice matters. People in other countries don’t get to pick who their leaders are, and I think that’s something we Americans take for granted.
Now, I’m not saying America’s political system is flawless. There is a gap between the politicians and the voters that no one can seem to close. It’s been tainted with corrupt politicians and closed-minded individuals. The party system has made it so that Washington struggles to pass laws, set a budget and come to an agreement — the basic functions required from it by its citizens. Worst of all, the party system has led to voters with perpetual blinders, obstinately voting without even glancing at the candidates.
It shouldn't matter if someone is a Democrat or if someone is a Republican. What should matter is if the person running wants to better the country. So many people associate themselves with a party and refuse to take other candidates into mind. Someone could be interested in trying to take over Canada and voters would still support them just because they run under a certain party. We shouldn’t let parties stop us from voting for a great leader. George Washington himself was against political parties and predicted that they would ruin our political system. I certainly agree with him.
Nothing can be done if the same people are in Congress. I love Strom Thurmond as much as the average South Carolinian, but there’s no reason to have the same person in the Senate for 49 years. There won’t ever be term limits on Congress, though. There’d have to be a law passed, and no member would agree to sign something that limits their job. Just because it can’t happen doesn’t mean it shouldn’t. For America to turn around, there has to be a change in its structure.
Systems are bound to have flaws and none of them are expected to be perfect. If we could get past the labels and the titles that hold us back and work as a whole, America would be in top condition. It takes teamwork from both sides — officials needs to see what really matters and citizens need to vote for people who will get the job done. It goes against what we have been doing in the past, but sometimes change needs to be embraced.