More than ever, politics are dividing people. Moderates are disappearing and people are becoming more extreme in their beliefs, even refusing to reconcile with persons of different beliefs.
As people become more extreme in their beliefs, political parties strategize their candidates and who will run, even knocking out people in their own parties in order to get a seat at a later time, and more and more money is thrown into campaigns, which are often funded by super-PACS and private money.
This polarization of the political parties might be because of the tough times America faces now, as depressions and soaring unemployment rates certainly are frustrating. As I've discussed before on this blog, Why We Hate Us, gives us the idea that the internet and media has much to do with this polarization, as well, as more and more people are able to express themselves and find "niches" where people who believe like them gather.
As last week's This American Life, "Red State Blue State" notes, people aren't only divided on how things should be handled, they are divided on what are the actual issues that face America right now. "Red State Blue State" surveys people who have lost friends due to polarizing political beliefs. It was interesting to listen to because many people said they've always known the person they are now estranged from was a conservative/liberal, but at one point in recent history, it just became too much. People started refusing to respect one another's differences. They wanted to insist on people believing what they believed--as some people surveyed said: "it became too important."
What is key in all this is that people are allowed to think differently or feel differently. A person who believes in a certain party is not ignorant of the issues. Our dialogues with people from different political parties ought to be about understanding one another and listening and not changing people's minds. It's ok to say, "you're wrong," but it's not ok to say "you have to be like me."
Something to ponder in this polarized time. Political issues all have their own spin, and different parties even view different issues as important or things that should be on the national radar. It is important to encourage discourse among all US citizens. Conversations might be unpleasant, but they can still happen. You might believe that fundamentally the opposing political party is wrong, but you cannot compare them to "nazis" or call them names, this does not encourage open dialogue and instead opens the flood gates to animosity.
I encourage you all to check out the podcast "Red State Blue State" by This American Life, and try to keep the discourse civil!
--Megan
As people become more extreme in their beliefs, political parties strategize their candidates and who will run, even knocking out people in their own parties in order to get a seat at a later time, and more and more money is thrown into campaigns, which are often funded by super-PACS and private money.
This polarization of the political parties might be because of the tough times America faces now, as depressions and soaring unemployment rates certainly are frustrating. As I've discussed before on this blog, Why We Hate Us, gives us the idea that the internet and media has much to do with this polarization, as well, as more and more people are able to express themselves and find "niches" where people who believe like them gather.
As last week's This American Life, "Red State Blue State" notes, people aren't only divided on how things should be handled, they are divided on what are the actual issues that face America right now. "Red State Blue State" surveys people who have lost friends due to polarizing political beliefs. It was interesting to listen to because many people said they've always known the person they are now estranged from was a conservative/liberal, but at one point in recent history, it just became too much. People started refusing to respect one another's differences. They wanted to insist on people believing what they believed--as some people surveyed said: "it became too important."
What is key in all this is that people are allowed to think differently or feel differently. A person who believes in a certain party is not ignorant of the issues. Our dialogues with people from different political parties ought to be about understanding one another and listening and not changing people's minds. It's ok to say, "you're wrong," but it's not ok to say "you have to be like me."
Something to ponder in this polarized time. Political issues all have their own spin, and different parties even view different issues as important or things that should be on the national radar. It is important to encourage discourse among all US citizens. Conversations might be unpleasant, but they can still happen. You might believe that fundamentally the opposing political party is wrong, but you cannot compare them to "nazis" or call them names, this does not encourage open dialogue and instead opens the flood gates to animosity.
I encourage you all to check out the podcast "Red State Blue State" by This American Life, and try to keep the discourse civil!
--Megan
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