Negativity, in one of its definitions in the Online Merriam-Webster Dictionary states, “marked by features of hostility, withdrawal, or pessimism that hinder or oppose constructive treatment or development.”

This one word sums up the current state of our country‘s political atmosphere, spear headed by the Republican party.  Our country is in two wars, the economy and stock market are slumping, the dollar isn’t doing so hot, people are going to bed hungry, the deficit is in the trillions, and Washington is having trouble accomplishing just about anything.

These are a few of our nation’s problems.  They are real.  They affect people.  Negativity is also a problem.  Problems need solutions.  Our country needs solutions.

Solutions to problems turn into action.  Action turns into change.  The concept of change is what our country needs, and needs to be showcased through the decisions of our lawmakers.

The useless bickering has got to stop, for it is beyond sickening, and has turned a huge number of people off when it comes to politics.  Republicans are continually at everyone’s necks for sometimes, little reason at all.  Policy and legislation brought up by one party is fiercely battled by the other, not for what it is, but for what party brought it up.  Bills that could be of great help to our country are lost because of party hostility.  The good of those who they represent quickly takes a back seat to what the party wants.  That is not right.  Division, instead of cohesion, finds it place in our highest levels of government, and like the big brother effect, it shows the way for the other levels of government under it.  The division depresses progress and accomplishment.  The Republican Party, which seems to hold steady as the “Party of No,” seems content to stopping everything in an attempt to win seats in the November election.  How is that doing anything for the American people or the country, especially when they bring no other options, just another “No”?

This battle, I’m sure, will carry into the November elections.  The candidates will have a field day going after those in the other party, as well as those in their own that are caught up in scandal or strife to distant themselves for him/her.  It is getting to the point where it is beyond ridiculous.  The fights and quarrels are at an all-time high.  Candidates, already, are getting things so heated between each other that it is more about what the other can’t do, than what he or she can do.  It has already begun, as seen by the story in Florida, where the senate candidates are having a rift over a supposed back waxing.  Are they serious?  It baffles my mind.

This brings the voter to a point where they are looking at the number of cons a candidate has instead of what that candidate can do for our country.  This clearly results into an uninformed voter, which is not beneficial to our country at all, with George W. Bush’s presidency being a great example of this.

Negativity, as the definition states, is definitely hindering the constructive treatment or development in our country, will affect the upcoming campaigns, and the issue must be resolved.  The citizens of this country need leaders that address tough issues and come together to solve those problems.  Citizens also need positive leaders to bring the country back together, to gain back the respect of the world, and to close the party divide of this country that has caused so much strife.

It is time for that change.  A time of change that produces more solutions than problems, more civil discussion than argument or silence.  Voters must remember the actions taken by their elected officials, and hold them accountable when that time comes.  For some, that time can’t come soon enough.