The Trash-fire that is American Politics
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity”
Chances are, if you’ve heard of this quote, you know about the United States. And if you know about the United States, you know that right now, with the midterm elections looming, American politics, to put it simply, is in an ideological and sociological war between two parties who do not know how to have a normal, sane conversation with each other, and turned Washington D.C. into the battlefield in which the future of this country is fought upon. Those who are elected to represent “we the people”, and to “promote the general welfare” of this country, are instead focused on trying to discredit, smear, and protest the opposing party. And just to be clear, this happens on BOTH sides of the aisle.
This war, thanks to the innovations of the 21st Century, isn’t limited to news publications and TV networks like MSNBC, Fox News, and CNN. It invades our phones via Facebook, Google, Instagram, and especially Twitter, our president’s most preferred platform. Hate, backlash, complaining, and accusations run rampant on these sites 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Where have the days of civility and humility gone? Where a conversation about politics over dinner can go from being a normal, friendly debate to a screaming match between two newly sworn enemies. Where what you read, watch, and agree with determines if two people are friends, rather than the merit of their characters. Where you’re forced to choose between two inherently flawed political extremes.
Some people relish in the opportunity to talk about politics, often voicing their opinions and ideologies in conversation, and online. There are also people who don't engage in talking about politics for a variety of reasons, such as disinterest, which is an entirely different issue. “I don't like politics” HF student Liam Sweeney said. However, there is a group of people who don't talk about politics because they are scared that their beliefs and stances may have them attacked and shamed by those who don’t agree. Many people I know couldn’t voice their opinions, lest be looked upon as uninformed, and unaccepted in certain groups.
Go vote (if you can) November 6th. Vote for someone not because it says “Republican” or “Democrat” under their names, but because of your, and not anyone else’s, belief that this candidate can truly “secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity”