What issues are Republicans and Democrats ignoring at their peril?

Precinct 14 (Photo courtesy Matt Abe)

Dissatisfaction with the the two major political parties in the US is high. A new poll from Gallup indicates that a record number of Americans view themselves as political independents.

The survey, based on more than 18,000 interviews conducted throughout the year, found that 42 percent identified as independent, the highest figure since the polling firm began conducting interviews by telephone 25 years ago. ...

The shift toward increased independent status has been more damaging to the GOP than the Democratic Party. Since peaking at 34 percent in 2004, Republican identification has now fallen to 25 percent — the lowest level in 25 years.

Democratic identification has also declined in recent years but at a lesser rate, falling to 31 percent from a high of 36 percent in 2008, when Barack Obama was elected president. (NPR)

Today's Question: What issues are Republicans and Democrats ignoring at their peril?

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