How Bernie Sanders And Donald Trump Have Benefited Politics (In The Same Way) | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

How Bernie Sanders And Donald Trump Have Benefited Politics (In The Same Way)

Yes, I just included them in the same sentence.

57
How Bernie Sanders And Donald Trump Have Benefited Politics (In The Same Way)
https://az616578.vo.msecnd.net/files/2016/05/15/635989517915207942800028889_SandersTrump.jpg

If you were to interview a random selection of Americans, you would find that most people have a pretty strong opinion about Bernie Sanders and/or Donald Trump.

Neither of these crazy-haired men fit the criteria of a typical candidate in their respective parties, and both of these men have made a lot of people very angry and a lot of people very excited.

Despite our individual political beliefs, I believe that we can all agree that both Sanders and Trump, in the same way, have benefited American politics.

Not through their policies, their successes, or their hairstyles -- for these are all things that we can disagree on. Instead, let's take a look at what I said earlier. Most people have a pretty strong opinion about Bernie Sanders and/or Donald Trump.

These men have benefited our country by causing more Americans to care about politics. Sanders and Trump have been the source of a lot of rage and a lot of glee among American citizens, and it has caused us to voice our opinion and to get involved. They have made us emotional. Or, as I'd like to say: Sanders and Trump, "Make American Feel Again."


(Get it?)

Whether or not either of these candidates reach the White House, they have made an impact. Their presence has brought two kinds of Americans to the voting polls, who have never before felt inclined to vote. First, it has engaged the Americans who have never before, until now, found a candidate that they can get behind. These are Americans who dislike traditional politics, and have found comfort and passion in either Sander's or Trump's nontraditional methods and beliefs. Secondly, these men have brought voters to the polls who feel so adamantly against Trump or Sanders that they want to vote solely to vote against them.

Either way, more people are getting involved in politics, and our democracy is strengthened as the voice of the people grows.

It does show in the voting polls. Pew Research produced an article that stated that throughout the first 12 primaries of 2016, the Republican voter turnout has been the highest since 1980, and the Democratic turnout has been the highest since 1992. (The 2008 election is an exception to this, with an extremely high turnout.)

Additionally, Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg, director of the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at Tufts University talked to NPR about the high youth voter turnout in Iowa, especially for Bernie Sanders.

As she said, "The fact that young people turned out in pretty large number for Bernie Sanders may be an indication that he is a candidate that can turn out a person that would otherwise not come out to vote in primary and caucuses."

Whether or not Trump or Sanders find success in this election, they are making a difference by reaching people that have otherwise not been reached by American politics.

Voting is critical, but even if the increased voting rate doesn't continue into the general election, people are getting involved. Millennials are blowing up social media with political posts. High school students, too young to vote, are being vocal about politics. People who have never cared before are caring now, and the political conversation is gaining new voices.

There is still a very long way to go in engaging our citizens and strengthening our democracy, but for now, despite our political opinions or party affiliation, we have to thank both Trump and Sanders, for waking up so many Americans to the role they can have in their country's politics.


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
cousins
Bailey Totten

I've known you your entire life. More than likely I held you in the first three days of it and at least one of us cried. Cousins are truly one of the best things in the world and while sometimes I complain about how many people crowd Grandma's living room on Christmas Eve, I wouldn't trade you all anything.

You are my best friends, the only people who can understand what it's like on Thanksgiving, and you are the spunkiest people I have ever met. But you as so so young, most of you are just now starting your adventures in the public education system. I mean, I'm so very young too. I'm not married, I don't have children, heck, I just started my adult life, but I do want to give you what little advice I have. My dears, these are the things I want you to know.

Keep Reading...Show less
ORHS Graduation
Kristen Sack, ORHS Graduation

You are a senior in high school, you have made it to the final year that you have been looking forward to since the first day of freshman year. Whether this has been the worst or best four years of your life, appreciate it. You will never have these times back, you will never be in high school again. It is hard for someone still in high school to wrap their brain around, but there will be a day when you wish you could be in the shoes you're in right now. Here are 15 things I have learned being in college that I wish I knew as a high school senior:

Keep Reading...Show less
one tree hill
Wikimedia

Everyone, and I mean everyone has heard of the show "One Tree Hill". Many people think that this show is the best thing they've ever watched and others won't bother watching it because they know they'll get hooked. And yes, I know many people have written about this show before, but I couldn't resist. I could re-watch every season multiple times to the point where I can almost quote an entire scene. Trust me, once you start "One Tree Hill", you will be hooked. There's way too many reasons to list as to why you'll love this show, and these are just a few.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

5 Ways To Bring Positivity Into Your Life When All You Want To Do Is Drown In Self-Pity

It seems like life has been serving up more bad than good and in all honesty, the only thing you want to do is crawl under your covers and hide from the rest of the world.

2378
5 Ways To Bring Positivity Into Your Life When All You Want To Do Is Drown In Self-Pity
Photo by Kinga Howard on Unsplash

The first two weeks of classes have come to an end and they have been anything BUT easy. It seems like life has been serving up more bad than good and in all honesty, the only thing you want to do is crawl under your covers and hide from the rest of the world.

Although this seems like the best solution, it is also the easy way out. Take it from the girl who took basically a whole week off from her life because she just could not handle everything that was being thrown at her. This caused her to feel extremely lonely and even more stressed out for being behind in classes that JUST began.

Keep Reading...Show less
friends

1. Thank you for being my person.

2. Thank you for knowing me better than I know myself sometimes.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments