Labeling candidates as “Republican” or “Democrat” is a ridiculous practice anymore. Maybe in the beginning of our country, party names had meaning. But now they come with such stereotyping that it’s corrupting the political system.

In theory it sounds like a good idea to have a group that stands for a general set of principles that people can line up behind. But anyone who is brave enough to admit they’re Republican these days is risking heavy criticism of their intelligence from the Democrats, and when someone says they’re a Democrat, they fit into a specific liberal mold in your mind.

Parties only get in the way of real politics. Some voters don’t even know what the candidates believe, but they’ll vote a straight ticket anyway because the candidate says he or she is a member of a certain party. A lot of voters see a D or R beside a name and are immediately turned off to that candidate entirely, refusing to even consider their opinions. It’s time for us to grow up and realize that changing times require new ideas and ways of doing things. You don’t have to change your beliefs, but there’s more than one answer to every issue that deserves consideration, no matter who thought of it.

Erica Ison

secondary English education sophomore