The July Political “Debate”

This week . . . looking back over the July political “debate ” it’s hard to not to be discouraged. Can the language of reasonable, respectful, even if passionate, disagreement find a place in this environment? And if not, where does that lead us? How do we sustain the freedom and fairness that define America without having a way to reconcile strongly opposing views? Or are our disagreements so wide—is the distrust, anger and fear of the opposing view so deep—that there is simply is no way to reconcile? Each of us must decide. And one way to start that decision process is to imagine beyond the snarling faces of the self-serving “leaders” spewing out this venom, and turn to your neighbor or work mate or family member with whom you disagree, and ask yourself: Is he/she truly your enemy? Is accusing, insulting, cursing, damning, rejecting that person worth the destruction of the American idea? Or is it perhaps worth trying, whether through compromise, persuasion or bargain, to work to resolve your disagreements rather than crush your neighbor or workmate or family member? Each of us must decide.

When reading these examples, check the above list and ask yourself: regardless of whether you agree or disagree, is this really advancing an intelligent resolution through the persuasive, rational arguments of advocacy…or simply fueling the fire of conflict through the divisive, emotional manipulations of polarization?

Here is a recap of some of the blue and red polarizing headlines from the month of July.