The same old change

Generic Script

The 2010 Midterm Elections have passed. For myself and many of my fellow freshmen, Nov. 2 was the first opportunity we had to vote in a meaningful election. Tuesday represented a large change for our nation, but it seems more than just a change in dominant party. Think about what just happened: Republicans added at least sixty seats in the House of Representative, the largest swing since 1948 (CNN). Remember, however, in the 2006 and 2008 elections combined, the Democrats gained over 50 seats in the House. For someone of our generation, coming to voting age while seeing such enormous shifts between party control within the span of two to four years, it seems that the face of politics is not the steady pendulum analogy we were taught in American history but a violent metronome, moving rapidly back and forth, too quickly to make any lasting progress.

In this election I found myself backing primarily Republican candidates. While I am happy to see most of the candidates I voted for achieve victory in my home state of Ohio, I cannot help but feel slightly pessimistic about the rapid shift which has taken place. After hearing negative campaign advertisements for the last few months and witness candidates attempt to distance themselves from Washington and the Obama administration, it does not seem likely that compromise will be reached. The Republican House will remain obstinate on their views, while the Democratic Senate and President reject their proposals. Although this election marks a significant change in the political composition of our nation, I foresee no great change in my day-to-day life or my individual relationship with the government. I fully expect that, within two to four years, the balance of power will once again change hands.