Disconnected: Most Americans feel major parties are not responsive to their beliefs

A recent poll taken by The Associated Press reveals most Americans feel disconnected from the two major political parties and a hopelessness about what to do about it.

We're not surprised.

The fractious primary season has led to an overall sense of pessimism about the political process. Only 12 percent of Republicans believe their party is responsive to their wishes. About a quarter of Democrats feel the same way.

This disconnect helps explain the rise of "outsider" candidates like Donald Trump and even Bernie Sanders, who offer an alternative to the "politics as usual" campaigns of mainstream candidates who, except for Hillary Clifton, have fallen by the wayside.

The identity crisis is something both parties must address before November. How they go about doing that will go a long way toward deciding who occupies the White House.

Published in Editorials on June 1, 2016 9:48 AM