Republicans must be willing to compromise

The political climate in Washington D.C. and the rest of the country will soon take a drastic change. With the new presidency, Democrats will have a majority in the house, senate, and will have the presidency.

As a result of this change, bipartisanship must be a priority foe everyone involved.

The most obvious reason bipartisanship is a new necessity is obvious – Republicans are outnumbered. Republicans are accustomed to having numbers on their side, or at least having a president on the side.

With the changing of the guard, they will be forced to reach across the isle and attempt to make compromises.

Furthermore, bipartisan efforts should become a priority for international reasons. The United States is currently fighting a war in two different countries. Regardless of whether someone believes the war is justified, we must all agree that there must be an end.

While we are fighting the war, it seems we are turning a blind-eye to humanitarian problems. Citizens of countries – some may not even know of – do not have enough clean drinking water or the ability to live a full life. According to UNICEF in 2007, 9.2 million children born alive worldwide died before their fifth birthday.

Sticking to party lines has done little to fix the country and the world’s urgent problems. Now that Republicans and Democrats will be forced to work together, they must make some real accomplishments.

On Sept. 11, 2001, when the country was in crisis, it seemed like there was no such thing as a Republican or Democrat, we were all Americans. It is time for the government to wake up and realize that we still many crises on our hands and learn to work together.

Politicians must be willing to set aside party agenda and work on the American agenda. It is possible for everyone to get some of what they want, as long as they’re willing to compromise.

By Brandon Petty Opinion Editor