Passionate Election Politics are a part of America's rich
political history. We can disagree like nobody else. Something has changed,
however. The seeds were sewn by Newt Gingrich and his spirited "Republican Revolution" of 1994.
This ushered in a new way of doing politics in Washington DC that become
increasingly oppositional, partisan, and ideologically entrenched.
Following the
election of President Obama, the smoldering embers of hatred and anger
exploded into a firestorm of fury. With the Tea Party burgeoning onto the scene
and pandering to people’s intense hatred toward Mr. Obama, the vile rancor of politics changed. This, coupled with a rise in
emotionally charged rhetoric spewing from partisan-based news media and the incredibly
rapid rise of Social Media, sparked a political world where whole populations of Americans began dividing into
angry camps of ideological absolutism. Rather than agreeing to disagree on
matters of political divide while continuing to work together for the good of
the Nation as a whole, entrenched political attitudes shifted. People now fight to control the nation according to exclusive standards and narcissistic perspectives that vehemently deny the legitimacy of dissenters. In this political arena, those who disagree do not deserve to be called American. “If you are different from me and mine, you are wrong and can't be an American. Get out of my country!”
Not to presume that
only Republicans are guilty of contributing to this age of vile partisanship,
Nancy Pelosi emulated many of the destructive techniques used by Gingrich
during her brief term as Speaker. Sadly, a piece of legislation that was—and still
is—desperately needed became the proving grounds for the presumptive power of
the Democratic Party after 2008. Obama Care was pushed through in ways that legitimately
created needed change, but also created unintended problems. Perhaps most devastatingly, forcing Affordable Health Care through Congress poured gasoline over the already raging fires of hatred and anger within the
Republican Party.
Stalemates in
Congress, driven by absolutist politics, have destroyed the integrity of Capitol
Hill. Viciously partisan accusations, investigations, and allegations have
wasted countless billions of taxpayer money on nothing more than pushing narrow
and narcissistic agendas onto the American people. Politically biased news and social media diatribes have divided
people across lines of narrow-minded ideological distinction that do nothing to serve the common good and
further fuel anger, hatred, and the divisive rhetoric that serves only to
degrade the integrity of the human spirit.
Something has to
give! This must stop! Worse yet, the minute anyone says, “It is the other one’s
fault, I’ll stop when they come to their senses and see it my way,” we all
lose.
I have long said
that it is not the occupant of the Oval Office or the leaders in Congress that
will destroy this nation, but rather it is the American people that will bring us down. We also have the ability to build this nation up again. The
difference lies in how we treat one another, how we respect diversity, how we
agree to disagree, and how we respect the Elected Office even when we disagree
with the person elected to hold that office. Sadly, our current political atmosphere proves that we are failing badly!
In January 2017 a
new President will take the oath of office. Once we are done arguing over who
that person should be (or should not be) we are faced with a serious question.
Are we, as a nation, going to allow this disastrously dangerous downhill slide
into the politics of absolutism and hatred continue, or will we grow up and
come together? One will prescribe the end of our nation as we implode into the
abyss of bitterness and disgrace. The other will demonstrate what has truly
made us great in the past—the willingness to passionately disagree and
passionately work together for everyone’s America.
The choice begins
with you. What will you say, post, and communicate? If it is hatred, insults,
bitterness, and vile partisanship then you are part of the problem. Every
American is responsible for making this change. I am starting with myself. (And
yes, I have unintentionally contributed to the demise myself, a fact for which
I humbly repent.) Will you join me? Will you help put an end to hatred,
division, and rampant dehumanization of others? The future of our nation depends on it.