We have come to a time in our history when it has become increasing difficult if not impossible to have a conversation about topics like politics, gender and religion. Opposing views that used to be a part of engaging conversation and friendly debate have become a catalyst to labeling people with words like racist, hate speech or intolerance. People genuinely fear talking about the political party they associate themselves with for because of the anxiety they have for the possible outcome.
Being younger than some but older than most I find the evolution of conversation dysfunction highly unsettling. How is common ground ever going to be found if human beings can’t engage in a positive discussion?
And where did this divisiveness begin, our government, the people we elected to protect us and assist us in achieving a better quality of life. They are the poster children for conversation dysfunction and they relish the fact that they can separate us into factions. You know, divide and concur. And it’s working, both parties have built a legion of extremists where respectful debate is no longer a part of the program. Violence rules and both parties make excuses when the result should be accountability through our legal process.
Just for a minute step back and ignore your political party and listen to the manner in which both parties describe the other side of the aisle. Words like racist, homophobic and prevaricator are thrown around with intense pleasure. We are being divided by race, placed into classes and politicians use that to further divide the country.
How do we stop it, term limits and voting by a political platform and not by party. Let’s hold them accountable. Make them clearly define their platform prior to elections and stop allowing them to talk about what a poor candidate the other person is and how they will ruin your life. Make them articulate their platform and then, if they are elected hold them accountable with your next vote.
No politician should be in office more than 8 years, they become rich and out of touch with their constituents.
It’s time to stop the madness!