Bubble Wrap Politics
I recently had a conversation with
a friend in New Zealand who commented that he had to be careful with what he
said to Americans about the presidential election because people for both
candidates are easily offended. I
think he’s right. It seems to me
that many people in both camps have locked themselves into a way of perceiving
the election, and maybe the whole world, in a way that discounts any
information or opinion that diverges from their preconceptions. Many of us are like separate bubbles in
a sheet of bubble wrap, i.e., we feel complete and whole. We don’t acknowledge
our common connections.
I believe the last time the American
population was as polarized as now was shortly before the Civil War.
Governor Romney’s error during the
second presidential debate in stating President Obama did not immediately
denounce the killings in Libya as, an “act of terror” could be a reflection of
the current state of politics. Apparently there was, and may still be,
statements on right-wing blogs that the President did not use that language
until weeks after the tragic events in spite of the transcripts and videotape
showing that he did. The actual statement was ignored because it did not fit
the stereotype of the president as weak on foreign policy.
Putting politics aside for the
moment, logically why wouldn’t President Obama describe act of terror as acts
of terror? If Governor Romney had
been president, I believe he would have used such language. I can’t think of any past president of
the United States who would not.
Some time ago a friend of mine
mistakenly said Governor Romney told the press he had not taken part in the war
in Viet Nam because he was personally “too valuable.” to risk his life in a war
he had supported. I’ll give my
friend credit for admitting and correcting the statement, which originated from
a politically satirical source. Of
course, Mr. Romney didn’t say anything like that. Who would? It went around as a rumor because it
fit the stereotype of the Governor as an unusually privileged person.
I have heard comments suggesting
that each contestant has a close personal tie with the devil.
It is comfortable and comforting to
interact with people who share our values and beliefs. It’s reassuring to interact and have
our beliefs supported. But when we exclude people with other ideas and values
we risk ending up with perceptions that are more idealized and/or demonized
than realistic.
Do you agree?
8 comments:
I agree, Warren. I learned a college word in freshman Sociology class that I think applies here--ethnocentrism. Although with the Internet our world seems to be shrinking, even within the U.S., let alone the world, cultures and values are diverse. Learning leads to understanding. But there are differences that sometimes form a gulf that can't be bridged. It is then up to us to preserve our values and liberties the U.S. Constitution provides.
Amen Warren Amen.
I'm so ready for this election to be over and then hope we can find some way to actually TALK to each other, regardless of which camp we're in.
Thanks.
I'm not quite sure the population is as polarized as the current crop of politicians. To be fair, that may have been the case before the Civil War until the Secession occurred (or maybe even until the first shots were fired.)
My mother has a solution that I repeat with attribution whenever possible: any vote for candidates comes with a box at the bottom "none of the above." When you check the box it subtracts one vote from each candidate. The winner is someone with the most votes, and the number has to be positive.
If no candidate gets a positive vote, the parties try someone else. Continue until someone wins under the rules.
It would force parties back to the middle, where most of the voters really would prefer to be governed.
~ Jim
Well said. EB
Randall031,
It will be a relief.
James. Your mother is a wise woman.
James,your mother is such a wise woman. I vote that she be allowed to overhaul our extremely dysfunctional political system.
Randall031, I'm with you there.
Warren, thanks for not outing me.
I was the friend who sent the satirical post thinking it was true. It wasn't from the Onion or any known satirical outlet but a new one that had just started up and it was written like an actual news article, so I got fooled. One of the big problems I've seen with this whole electoral cycle has been the extreme stances politicians (on both sides) take that would seem surely to have come right out of the Onion's pages, but unfortunately turn out to be things people in political office are actually publicly saying or espousing.
I'm so ready for it to be over.
Linda,
In this election it is hard to tell reality from satire. Nobody would believe it if it were written as fiction.
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