The Rise of the Independents

     A new Gallup Poll backs up what Jesse Ventura has said all along, that our two party system is failing. Americans weighed in on our political leaders and the results were unfavorable. The poll found that people are less interested in ReBLOODlicans and DemoCRIPS than ever before. In fact, the average rating of the two parties has reached the lowest point in Gallup history. Dissatisfaction with government and declining faith in congress has given rise to the third party. A whopping 43% of Americans are now identifying themselves as political Independents.

     While this is great news, simply identifying as an Independent is not enough to make change. According to Gallup, 

“There are no Independents in the 435 member House. Only 2 out of 100 senators (Angus King of Maine and Bernie Sanders of Vermont) are nominally Independent.” 

     The two party system has made it almost impossible for Independents to accomplish anything on their own. King and Sanders have had to caucus with the Democrats in order to survive. 

     This is our opportunity to disrupt the political system. But the only way to do that is to exercise our voting rights. We need to get more Independent candidates on the ballot or nothing will ever be different. It’ll take some time but if we all do our part we can shift the political landscape and live in the kind of world we want to live in. So remember, if you don’t vote then don’t bitch. 

- By Brigida Santos -