Your e-mails: Jesse Ventura embodies the future of politics

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(CNN) -- We recently asked for your take on the future of politics. You responded with predictions ranging from the rise of a viable third party to Republicans consolidating control at the national level to greed, corruption and scandals staying with us for a long time to come.

Below is a selection of your responses, some of which have been edited.

Politics itself will not evolve in the coming years. The politics of 2,000 years ago was no different from the politics of 50 years ago, which is no different from the politics of today. Greed, corruption, scandals, public ignorance of government activity (both active and passive), and the occasional glimmer of political intentions in the interest of the governed, has been and always will be a component of the political scene. The reason? We're human.
Reinaldo Vega, Berkeley, California

This country needs positive change, and we will eventually see a woman elected president. More than likely it will be Hillary Rodham Clinton, as she is the smart choice. Our political atmosphere needs a good makeover, and we need the return of U.S.-led diplomacy throughout the world. The parties will come together when they realize the people are tired of partisan politics that go nowhere and get nothing done.
Bill, Norwalk, Connecticut

The Democratic Party will continue to become more shrill with leftist rhetoric. They will continue to move farther away from mainstream America despite obvious declines in public support.
Jason Perrine, Corona, California

Republican control will be further consolidated at the federal level, while Democrats may begin to take more control at the state level. This will reflect a change in public expectations for government. In this environment, the public will look to the federal government for national security and sovereignty issues (including immigration) and look to the state (and possibly local) level for addressing social issues, such as health care, education and labor laws. This fits with the strong suits of each party -- Republicans are perceived as the authoritative party on terrorism, and Democrats are perceived as the authoritative party on social issues.
Tony, Tulsa, Oklahoma

I would love to see a proportional representation system take shape in the coming years, so that even minority voters will have a voice in any given district. Also, I truly hope that within the next decade we see another party rise that will end the partisan tug-of-war that has defined our political landscape. Compromise is the key to a functioning society and when one party or another has complete control there is no incentive for them to negotiate.
Jared Jones, Denton, Texas

There is a great need for a third party. At present the choices that are presented to us by the two major parties are unacceptable and in my opinion not democracy. The public is becoming extremely frustrated over the choice presented to them, and possibly Joe Lieberman may be the beginning of a nationally recognized Independent party.
Ken Meisch, Union, New Jersey

Politics will become increasingly divisive, extreme, nasty -- because the media, especially television, thrives on controversy, combat and hyperbole. The public will become increasingly numb to it and eventually indifferent.
Geoffrey Mehl, Henryville, Pennsylvania

Everyone who is asked about the future of politics in America answers the same way. They all say they are unhappy and want change. They say they want something different. This in spite of the fact that any political candidate who stands out as being different from the rest is quickly shunned by voters and by their party. The fact is simply that no one in this country really wants change. What we really want is the same politicians giving us the same promises and reassurances we've been hearing all our lives. That's what's comforting to Americans.
John, Statesville, North Carolina

I think Americans will continue to become more divided into the two major parties. Most people are not paying attention to what is going on, politicians roll out the wedge issues each election cycle and scare us some more for a while. Funny these issues never go away. The money needs to be taken out of the process. I think it would be a good thing for a third party to become a force. The Libertarian Party is the new political party you've been looking for. Liberty for all.
B. Jones, Lone Rock, Wisconsin

I will say that in the coming years that third parties will rise up again to even greater prominence than ever before, despite what all the "experts" say. Jesse Ventura's election in 1998 helped prove that point. People like me want more options in life.
Dana W. Carlson, Woodbury, Minnesota

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