I was given an opportunity recently that has never happened before; to experience the thrill of being relatively close to the President of the United States while he was in Osawatomie. The President is like the Megan Fox or the Ryan Reynolds of my world; I was starstruck. However, it wasn’t being near the energy and excitement of the moment, or even knowing the President was just a room away that was the most interesting part of the whole experience; it was simply seeing the diverse reactions he elicited.

People of all color and ethnicity came together to share the experience of that historic moment; together we welcomed the President to Kansas. But, if one of the most conservative states in the country could come together to welcome a liberal president, why can’t the congressmen we have elected similarly come together to make the best decisions on our behalf? It is baffling.

Imagine a bunch of toddlers fighting over the same toy; it’s a little humorous to think about. Now keep that same image in mind as you imagine the Super Committee, comprised of congressmen and senators, assembled to cut costs and eventually save the nation from the economic struggle we find ourselves in- it isn’t anywhere near as funny.

The inevitable failure of the most powerful members of Congress proved that the current members weren’t willing to work together, like the toddlers mentioned before. They were all fighting for the control of the same toy, to win the fight that cannot be won. There isn’t an easy way to ever cut costs, especially when some organization or group of Americans will experience the blunt force of their lack of compromise. It seems like professional politicians have forgotten why they are in Washington.

When I say “professional politicians,” I mean that on average, most House members alone have served over four terms, and even more for Senators. Yet, only nine percent of Americans today approve of their elected officials.

But something can be done about all of this. If there is anything I have learned from AP Government teacher Jeff Strickland, we each have a voice. So as a diverse community, that has a diverse voice, we must let our House members and Senators know how we feel.