The report points to Generations- X, Z, and Millennial, as these generations are more likely to identify as independents now, compared to the generations in the past. Political Analyst and Finance Fellow at Rice University’s, Baker Institute, Bill King says, the demographic has been let down as the parties’ bicker and their affordability concerns are ignored. “The system has not worked for them. They’re got to deal with student loans; they can’t afford housing. They’re looking at their leaders, and they all look like their grandparents fighting. I’m trying to pay for my college and you guys want to see who’s at fault. They’re just disgusted by it.” King said.
King says it wasn’t always this way and that several countries still govern with multiple political parties- such as Germany, Greece and Canada. King says this always for compromise. In the U.S., the divide has widened as the parties have become more polarized.
“You hear both parties calling their members “Rhinos and Dinos” because when they get into office and they have to do something- you have to compromise to get anything accomplished. If you’re not just pure ideologically exact on everything, then you’re a trader. This is not the way America has been until the last couple of decades.” He said.
King says the solution is to have more than 2 political partes. He says the United States is one of the only major democracies with only 2 functioning political parties and up until World War 2 America had multiple political parties. Right now, it’s just not working. He said this allows for the representation of various interests enabling us to reach compromises. King says coalitions would form and they would have to make deals to get things done.
King points to a book, Morris Fiorina called- “Unstable Majorities”, where the author pointed to a study, where Americans were asked consistently for 50 years, going back to WW2, asking Americans a set of multiple-choice questions. The scale ranged from 1 to 7, with 1 being the most conservative, 7- the most liberal, and 4 being a moderate compromise. On every single issue for all 50 years “4” is where the answer has landed. King says that’s where the American people are.
In every election, it comes down to swing states. Going back to President Trump’s first election in 2016- the talk was: it was little old lady’s out of the Midwest from Indiana, and voters that never voted before-my 81-year-old mother-in-law- in 2016- being one of them. There is also a growing trend of young people seeking faith following the Charlie Kirk assassination. As the mudslinging continues across the aisle, and the fear of another government shutdown sits in the background, it will be interesting to see which way the 46 percent leans in 2028. At the end of the day, voters need politicians to speak to them, relate to them- and that is gas and grocery prices, college loan and housing affordability, immigration policies, and the costs of medicine, and I would imagine younger generations less concerned with foreign diplomacy policies. We will see which party can present the best package and like most elections- it will usually come down to the wire.