Americans are more divided along ideological lines now than at any point in recent history, a fact made obvious by the rampant partisanship between Republicans and Democrats. Conservatives are stereotyped as racist, misogynist, upper class bigots who are out of touch with the needs of the middle class.  Liberals are equally stereotyped as tax and spend socialists, who view the Constitution as a guideline, and would take away the rights of everyday Americans to increase the size and scope of the Federal Government.  These labels are exacerbated on both sides of the spectrum by the political discourse and ideological extremes. This is a destructive trend that is threatening to take the entire political process in a backwards direction.

Candidates on both sides are attempting to out match each other by becoming more and more radical in their respective extremes.  Donald Trump proposed ideas like mass deportations and the building of a large wall on the southern border. Bernie Sanders proposed new social programs that could total up to $18 trillion added to the national debt over ten years. These proposals, which span from the impractical to the downright insane, galvanize and excite the extremes of both parties, and drown out the moderate voices who hold the mainstream views.

Compromise is fast becoming a political dinosaur. As Americans grow further apart from each other ideologically, so do the people they elect to represent them. The result leaves less moderates who are willing to cross political lines in order to keep the government functioning effectively.

Many would argue that holding a unified ideological purity is the best way to bring about the change that is necessary.  Republicans argue that conservative ideals are the best way to combat what they believe is an over-reaching Obama administration.  Democrats argue that promoting liberal policies is the only way to bring about changes for issues such as climate change and income inequality.  The problem with this approach is that the more extreme each party becomes, the farther apart they grow.

The only way to change the polarization in our political system is to become more informed constituents.  The reality is that we are in this position today because we elected these politicians.  For as long as we continue to elect politicians that are more focused on rhetoric and sound bites over legitimate public policy, we will continue to see the rise of loud-mouthed talking heads like Donald Trump and a Congress that has one of the worst approval ratings in national history.

For most of the Class of 2016 this will be the first election in which they can cast a vote.  This election and the future of our country will be determined based on how proactive and educated we are in the views and ideology of the political candidates on both sides of the aisle.  This division within our political system only grows wider because we allow it, and only we can put an end to it.  The next time a candidate like Bernie Sanders claims we need a complete revolution within America, or Donald Trump shouts that America doesn’t win anymore and needs to go back to the time when it was once great, ask yourself if this is sound, practical, public policy or demagogic rhetoric that has no place within our political discourse.