While economists and various officials reassure us that the United States is not headed for a depression, the economy has certainly taken a plunge.

According to the New York Times, in September 159,000 jobs were lost before the initial bailout plan was rejected and the Dow fell 818 points in one week.

Republicans and Democrats quickly began pointing the finger at the other side of the aisle.

Republicans accused House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of being too opinionated before the vote, and Democrats said Republicans failed to provide assured votes.

Does partisanship lie with politicians or with our own self-interest?

“The U.S. has a weak party system,” said Barbara Burrell, political science professor. “There is no single set of party principles throughout the states … Representatives want to be re-elected and so they vote for the interests of their areas, whatever those may be.”

Politicians voting only for re-election may sound discouraging. Still, if politicians didn’t worry about votes, they wouldn’t worry about voter interests. Political parties clash because of voter interests.

“I think there should be no Democrat or Republican parties,” said Lawrence Cushion, junior marketing major. “I think getting the job done properly is what matters. People are too hung up on the labels each other are associated with.”

Political parties are seen as high school sports teams, and we want only our party to win.

Different parties are there to balance power and focus on consensus. If voters would let go of their egos and dismiss the terms “liberal,” “conservative,” “Republican” and “Democrat,” issues would get solved.

“I found I have been most effective in Congress when I seek bipartisan solutions just like when I worked with Rep. Judy Biggert to secure funding for Fermilab and Argonne,” said U.S. Congressman Bill Foster. “I will continue to pursue bipartisan solutions on issues like the economy, energy policy, and affordable higher education.”

For students, action is strikingly important. Soon we will need jobs and money, and the current economic state affects the nation’s workforce.

Encourage less talk and more action. Do not procrastinate and mope about what should be done.

Instead, set out to resolve existing problems. Elected representatives crave for your vote.

Whatever you find lacking in them is a result of your lack of being heard.