Politics in the United States have seemingly always been a game of winners and losers. The two party system that we have been operating with for so long is failing us. It is two teams endlessly going head-to-head on every issue. I am going to make a comparison by saying that American politics in their current state are all too similar to American football. Honestly, this is not an ideal situation to be in. One party comes up with a “play,” and the other does everything in their power to stop them. Whichever political party is in power or has the majority is the winner, while the other is the loser. Meanwhile, both sides despise every stance that the other side takes, and neither side can come together on any issue. Sure one side wins, but how can we know if they made the right decision without input from their colleagues with differing opinions?

Allow me to elaborate further on the football metaphor. I am a Buffalo Bills fan, meaning that I am obligated to hate the New England Patriots. It’s really nothing personal, I just can’t stand them. Additionally, there’s a good chance that when these two teams go head-to-head, the Patriots are going to come out on top. Even though I know they are likely to win, I refuse to support the Patriots. All too often democrats will refuse to support republicans in any situation, and the same goes for republicans in any situation. So what’s the difference between the teams competing in football and those competing in politics? One scenario is a game. The other determines the fate of the American people.

Politics and football should not be so similar. The democrats are not the Buffalo Bills, and the republicans are not the New England Patriots or vice versa. The two major political parties are not “playing” against each other for some sort of trophy or title; therefore, we should not be hating the party whose views differ from our own. No matter which way your vote swings, you can still hear out and respect the other side. I might talk some smack about the opposing team when watching a football game, but it’s exhausting to watch political parties attack each other 24/7. Politics are not football and they shouldn’t be. Meanwhile, the only winners should be the American people. Let’s be good sports.