If you flip to any news channel, there’s a good chance you’ll see the political flavor of the week blabbering about taking the country back. But back from whom? The representatives this nation peacefully and democratically elected? This insane war against ourselves is only leading to the continuation of our problems. There is no doubt that these are the times that define a nation; the last decade has been one of war, economic downturn and general distraught. This rise of events understandably led to fear, and all fear leads to anger. However, we must never forget that when we come together as a nation, we stand the strongest against these horrendous forces.

Politics are a dirty game. The bashing of other opponents is expected with the upcoming elections, but it’s not just the candidates doing it: we all are part of the problem. Students, including myself from time to time, talk about the other political party as if they were foreign invaders forcing their fascist will onto the people. Republican, Democrat, it doesn’t matter; we are all Americans.

The Occupy Wall Street protest have been pushing the idea that it is the 99 percent against the 1 percent. But they must realize that dividing this country into two separate groups only causes further political gridlock and problems.
Every side of our political spectrum is to blame for the current situation we are in right now. Yes, Obama could have done a lot of things differently to further improve our economy, but calling him a Kenyan Socialist Muslim won’t solve anything. Save the energy that goes into bombarding the other side with useless attacks, and spend it on something productive. Raise real issues in political debates such as the degree at which the government should play a role in the economy, don’t just say Obama is the next Marx for promoting health care reform. By using over-dramatic truths, you just put the other side on the defensive turning political debates turn into a dog chasing his tail. Both always seem busy moving forward, but neither accomplish anything. Demonizing the other side only divides us further. However, if each side spoke their point and compromised on a more moderate choice, we would actually get something done.

In a democracy sometimes you have to go along with choices that you think stink. I was completely against the Iraq and Libyan war, but I understand that I am not the only voice in this republic. You shouldn’t demonize the government just because you don’t agree with every detail of their plan. Sometimes you have to go along with decisions you find unfit. If you want a change bad enough, voice your opinion and offer a legitimate, flexible option, don’t just bash and run.
Now while it is true that the degree to which we are arguing is absurd, we shouldn’t all come together and sing Kumbaya. You can still have a difference of opinion while acting in the best interest of the nation. We need both sides on this nation to maintain the success we have had. We must reach the moderate middle if we wish to move past our problems and into a brighter future.

We can’t sit on our hands any longer. These times are calling for action. By continuing these pointless arguments we are just distracting ourselves from the problem. The solution will be found in a moderate answer. In a democracy, one side can not fathom that only things they approve of will be law. While this doesn’t require the removal of opinion from argumentation, it does require the use of compromise. America faces real issues right now and needs real answers. All people need to rise above the petty bickering of politics and focus on a way to get us out of the hole we’re in.