#36 - Football is Back! But Politics Isn’t Like Football.

Red versus blue works fine on the gridiron. In Congress? Not so much.

Author

Holden Lipscomb
September 04, 2025

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#36 - Football is Back! But Politics Isn’t Like Football

We’re all on the same team after all.

The Rundown

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Football is Back! But Let’s Not Treat Politics Like Football.

As football season kicks off, millions of Americans are suiting up in their team colors, ready to cheer, debate, and celebrate. It’s one of the great joys of fall—rooting for your team with passion and pride.

But politics isn’t football.

Republicans and Democrats want us to treat it that way—like it’s red vs. blue, us vs. them. But that’s not how our democracy was meant to work. We’re not supposed to be locked in a zero-sum game. We’re supposed to be working together for the good of the country.

And independents? We’re not the casual fans scrolling on our phones during the game. We’re the superfans, but we’re cheering for the game, not the teams. We think about policy tradeoffs. We care deeply about the outcomes. We want real wins: better policies, honest leadership, and a system that reflects the complexity of our views.

The parties want to pretend that we’re not in the stands because we’re not wearing one of their jerseys. But the truth is that it’s harder and harder to ignore 43% of voters.

This is what we’re working for at the IC. We keep independents informed, remind elected officials that they represent independents, too, and remind the two parties that the rules matter. If Washington doesn’t want to play by the rules, it’s up to independents to blow the whistle when the political parties try to rig the game.

So this fall, go ahead and root for your favorite football team. But when it comes to politics, remember: we’re all on the same team.

Lura

Together we can demand a focus on the issues we all care about, not the party games.

Video Feature: Political Hypocrisy

Q: Am I the only one tired of politics?

A: Not at all. Two-thirds of Americans feel politically exhausted, and 83% of independents want leaders who work across party lines. Younger voters—especially Millennials and Gen Z—are ditching party labels and demanding change. The recent upset in NYC’s mayoral primary shows that voters are ready for fresh voices and real representation.

Q: What’s going on with the Epstein files?

A: Congress is pushing for full transparency on documents related to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. A bipartisan bill aims to force the DOJ and FBI to release everything, but legal hurdles—like victim privacy and ongoing investigations—are slowing things down. Despite political tension, lawmakers say the public deserves answers.

Q: Is bipartisanship dead?

A: It’s struggling, but not gone. Voters across the spectrum want cooperation, especially on issues like the national debt. The rise of independent voices and support for reforms like ranked-choice voting show there’s still hope. The challenge? Breaking through elite polarization and media-driven division.

Political Discussions Trending on Reddit This Week

Military and Constitutional Duty - Discussions reveal a critical examination of the military's role in upholding constitutional obligations, particularly in the context of a president perceived as overstepping legal boundaries. This highlights concerns about the potential for military intervention in political matters and the preservation of democratic institutions.

Authoritarianism and Capitalism - The analysis indicates a growing discourse on the relationship between authoritarianism and crises within liberal capitalism. Participants express concerns that economic downturns and social inequality may lead to the rise of authoritarian movements, reflecting a systemic response to perceived failures in the capitalist framework.

Redistricting Legal Battles - The ongoing legal confrontations over redistricting, particularly between California and Texas, underscore the contentious nature of electoral politics. The potential implications of these legal battles for party power dynamics and electoral integrity are significant, raising questions about the legitimacy of the political landscape.

Org Spotlight: National Immigration Forum

The National Immigration Forum’s Leading the Way event will be held in Nashville September 29-30.

This year’s convening will amplify the voices local community leaders—leaders who recognize the contributions of immigrants to our nation—as we all come together to create pragmatic solutions for all Americans.

Visit their website here to learn more about the event.

This Week in Congress

Congress is back in session and tackling a packed agenda. Here are the highlights:

Spending Showdown: Lawmakers are debating the 2026 Energy & Water budget as part of broader efforts to avoid a government shutdown later this month.

Push for Transparency: A new House resolution calls for deeper investigation into how the federal government handled the Epstein-Maxwell case.

Foreign Policy Focus: Congress is advancing bills aimed at countering threats from China and Iran, including measures on fentanyl trafficking and tech security.

What We’re Reading

New York Times: Politicians Are Polarized. American Voters, Not So Much

By: Kristen Soltis Anderson

Los Angeles Times: Only grocery prices can salvage the American experiment

By: Matt K. Lewis

Join the Independent Minds Book Club!

Next up: The Soul of America by Jon Meacham.

Pulitzer Prize–winning author Jon Meacham helps us understand the present moment in American politics and life by looking back at critical times in our history when hope overcame division and fear.

We’re planning on having a virtual discussion early October.

Email us at [email protected] if you’d like to join!

The Independent Center is the go-to organization for information, research, and engagement with independent voters, who now make up the plurality of the electorate.

We represent those who are fed up with partisan politics and feel politically homeless. We believe the future is not red or blue; it’s fiscally responsible, socially inclusive, and free to choose the best options for ourselves, our families, and our communities.