It’s Time to Stop Glamorizing Bipartisanship
Seriously, it’s dangerous
When I was younger, my political scope was dialed into a lens that displayed a smiling Senate and happy House of Representatives. To me, there was never a conflict that could remain unresolved, and fairness and bipartisanship were considered to be priorities.
Not only have I realized that this lens was foggy and overlaid with what I had hoped the United States’ political system was, but I have also realized that the concept of bipartisanship extends beyond congressional halls. It extends to the people—most of who do not actually want or need bipartisanship.
Bipartisanship may work well in theory for the bickering members of Congress, but it becomes toxic as soon as it leaks out into communities and into the minds of voters.
Let me make one thing clear: bipartisanship does not mean “both sides have won” or that certain policies have suddenly become “balanced”. It does not mean that elected officials are able to enact legislation that helps those they represent. And most importantly, it certainly does not mean that communities and voters are stronger because of it.
Wait, what?
That’s right. Communities do not need bipartisanship. Communities need bold legislation that can come up to par with their needs — no matter where this legislation may reside on the political spectrum. Bipartisanship is a threat to democracy.
People cast ballots and vote for a reason. People select who they want to represent them at a federal, state, and local level for a reason. People use their voice for a reason.
This “reason” that every voter and activist has should not be a bipartisan dilemma that gets negotiated behind closed doors.
Politicians need to do what people have elected them to do. People do not elect politicians with hopes that their vote and ideas will be gambled away—they elect politicians with hopes that they will be listened to and defended.
The era of attempted bipartisanship needs to come to an end. Seriously, it’s dangerous.
