Whether we like it or not, Independents do not hold much influence over the legislative process. Whenever I speak to young people interested in seeking elected office, I tell them that to be effective, they should join one of the two major parties. However, I warn them to be aware that it is especially difficult to be a Republican because of the number of ornery ideologues in the Republican Party who are not interested in governing.

The recent news of Republican members of the House of Representatives being unable to select a speaker has put this dynamic on full display. The refusal of a small number of right-wing kooks to accept any speaker who will not meet their outlandish demands is both a symptom and a cause of the plight of the Republican Party. While this is one of the more public instances of disorganization at the highest level of the party, it is not unique.

Most young people who have observed the Republican Party in recent years refuse to even consider joining it. They have seen a party so divided along strange terms, so chaotic, and so unfocused on governing that it could not be taken seriously. For example, the state of California hardly has a Republican Party left, because people want to have a positive government and get things done. In turn, this has made it such that most of the people who do decide to join the party are the very same ones who cause these problems, creating a vicious cycle.

VIEWPOINT: POINT: Common-sense balance can be reached on Roe

VIEWPOINT: COUNTERPOINT: Decline to sign petition for extreme abortion amendment