There has been a lot of controversy in the news lately on the subject of bipartisanship. A common asked question may be,“Why would something like bipartisanship be in the news?” In the last election, the number of Republican candidates elected outnumbered the Democratic candidates in the House of Representatives for the first time since 2006. This dramatic shift has created major tension between the leading parties in Washington. When one party outnumbers another, their views tend to take hold more than if the parties were equal. Many fear that this sudden call to power for the Republicans will initiate great changes, both for the better and for the worse. Of course, the United States is not an idyllic utopian society, and not everyone is going to get what they want.

The Representatives that were elected were chosen for many reasons, but hopefully the candidates chosen are able to work with others unlike themselves, and work together to make the best decisions they can, all the while keeping America’s pluralistic society in mind. Focusing on that ability will help to avoid many worries many may have. If these people are capable of reaching broad consensus on matters concerning citizens, then there should be no qualms with who was elected from what party. Bipartisanship is a vital characteristic the elected Congressman need to possess, and hopefully many of the candidates that were elected possess this trait. Being blind to the fact that the House is mostly Republican would be ideal and observing the fact that it potentially has many fresh faces and new ideas. Saying that, citizens should push aside political opinions, focus on what can make this country better, and how that can be achieved.

It has been four years since Republicans have outnumbered the Democrats in the House of Representatives. Where was the United States four years ago? 2006, two years before Obama, two years before our generation’s great economic decline, five years after the terrorist attack that left our country with vast economic and emotional damage. Was the United States making important decisions? The answer is yes. Was the United States failing in every aspect? Not at all. I think that the successes and failures of past years could help determine how able the Republican Party is on voting for good decisions for the United States. In simpler terms, remembering the past could help citizens adjust for the changes to come.

Lindsey Harms