According to Thomas, the partisanship found throughout American politics is based not on Republican vs. Democrat spectrums, but rather on the differences between political junkies and everyone else.
As a self-proclaimed political junkie, I agree. There is a problem in the American system- people care more about sports, video games, and plain TV shows than about politics. People do not pay full attention to politics. This apathy comes from many sources: a lack of time, a lack of information, a negative view of politics, an idea that political life does not affect one personally, other things to do, or a view that one is satisfied with the status quo (highly unlikely now).
Our political system is now being run by those who give a damn about politics. Following the Iron Law of Oligarchy, our federal government is now being controlled willingly by elites- those who gained the votes of their fellow elites, the only people truly caring enough to vote in elections.
This election has been a call for change in America. Not only for change in the Iraq War, American foreign affairs, healthcare, Social Security, immigration, etc., etc, but also for change in the partisanship that is plaguing American politics. However, as Thomas notes, the only way for this to be possible, is for more people to get involved in the political process. We need this partisanship between the political junkies and everyone else to end and for everyone to become involved and knowledgeable about politics. So America, get up, stop playing XBox 360 and register to vote!
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