In 1971, The Who could not have said it better when they sang, “…the change, it had to come.”

Over 30 years have passed since that line was originally sung, and voters appointed a “change” they want to believe in – Barack Obama.

Democrats also gained more seats in the House of Representatives and the Senate, increasing their majority. The change became clear. Voters have moved away from the Republican past, but the mentality of this movement could be dangerous for future elections.

Considering the world’s lack of crystal balls, no one knows what the future holds.

What if the change doesn’t come soon enough? In four years will voters “stay the course” as they did with Bush in ’04, or will Obama’s own call for change work against him? Will the Republican party seem more attractive to this country if we don’t get what Obama promised?

Consider a brief history of past elections. President Clinton was elected into office with a Republican majority in Congress. He lasted two terms. President Bush was elected after Clinton and America’s majority switched parties.

When Bush became unpopular, voters put in a Democratic Congress and eventually a Democratic president. At this rate, the stability of Washington resembles our current stock market.

It’s not all voters’ fault though.

They realistically only have two parties to choose from. When one doesn’t work, voters rally to the other, and perhaps that attitude is a problem. Though our problems cannot be solved simply by vilifying one party and loving the other every election.

For example, Sen. Joseph Lieberman, who was once a Democrat, gave his Independent support to John McCain. Now, according to the Associated Press, Lieberman may be pulled from his chairmanship of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee by Harry Reid, the Senate Majority Leader.

Ousting Lieberman shows the outdated tendency of attributing politicians to a party, even when the politician leans Democrat and supports a Republican. Obama’s election into office holds historic significance and represents the changing temperance of our country.

Appointing Obama into the highest position in America shows voters want something different than what mainstream politicians have to offer.

In four or eight years, don’t allow party affiliation to deter you from voting your conscience.

Look beyond party affiliation, or you’ll end up singing “…come meet the new boss, same as the old boss.”