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How is it that the Democrats control the White House and the Senate, with a slight minority in the House, and yet they can’t seem to agree on anything or pass any important legislation? Why is it that the right can buckle down and stand firm against Democratic bills, and the left can’t even support its own bills?

I applaud the right for its consistent voting patterns. For example, the Equal Pay Act has been voted on in the Senate and blocked by the Republican minority all three times it has been brought to the floor. While I strongly disagree with the right’s stance on equal pay for women, I cannot deny that the Republicans are loyal to their party lines and can carry a unanimous vote to stop the left in its tracks. Where the Democrats can’t seem to get anything done, the Republicans are impressively effective.

At the same time, there are plenty of Democrats in the House and Senate that stray from their party’s goals and vote along with the Republicans. Whether it’s because they disagree with the bill or feel more secure blocking it, it simply weakens the left’s image. Democrats don’t openly disagree or fight. But behind the scenes, President Obama can barely herd the loose wanderers, rebels and individuals that comprise the Democratic Party and make them vote together on a single piece of legislation.

Senate Democrats again proved their inability to stand strong in their positions during the push for expanded gun control. Last year, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid publicly announced that including more comprehensive background checks of gun buyers would put too much financial strain on the U.S., and that enacting such legislation would need to be pushed back to 2014.

The gun issue, which had 90 percent of public support, was deferred rather than used as a prime opportunity for the left to solidify its image. Finally, an issue came along that dominated the media, gained 90 percent of public support and was supported by the left – and yet, it was somehow defeated in the Senate. Once again, the Democrat-dominated Senate, led by the Democrat-led White House, has failed to approve a bill that nine out of 10 American voters approve of. How does this happen?

The Republicans have done it again – they have stuck together, through thick and thin, and defeated their opponents. Where the Democrats should have had easy victories, the Republicans stood firm on party lines and blocked their bill. Essentially, the right is adept at tarnishing the left’s image. Despite a majority in the Senate and the American public, the Democrats have failed to pass their bills. Where the Republicans look strong, the Democrats look terribly weak, indecisive and ineffective.

I may not agree with conservative ideology, but the Republican Party’s discipline, effectiveness and consistency is admirable. Conservative voters need not fear that their party will stick together and vote along with the party’s agenda.

The appeal of the Democratic Party is the emphasis on reform, progression and innovation. However, considering the party’s inability to collectively support and vote for a bill – and see to its successful passage – such aims are unrealistic. If the left continuously fails to pass its legislation, there can be no real, tangible change.