As a Christian and former Republican who's now an Independent, I've really been thinking lately about how divided we've allowed ourselves to become over politics. ...especially, since migrating over to this board and it's really not different from HROT (outside the gawd-awful orange). Honestly I don't even think most Americans are nearly as far apart as SM, MSM and message boards make it seem.
It feels like somewhere along the way politics stopped being about disagreements over policy and started becoming team jersey identity...quite literally us vs them or the dumber "good vs evil". We've gotten to the point where people assume your entire worldview, intelligence and even character is based on who you voted for.
Doesn't the data point to most people actually living somewhere in the middle? Personally, I still lean fiscally conservative. I think national debt matters. I think government waste is real (Huey and I once had a great conversation about defense spending). I think endless spending from BOTH parties eventually catches up to us.
But I also think its reasonable discuss out of control healthcare costs and whether corporations have too much influence (look'n ast you, Big 3!).
As I said in the mosque shooting thread, I'm a strong 2A supporter. I grew up around guns, respect responsible ownership &absolutely believe Americans have a constitutional right to defend themselves. BUT I also don't think every single discussion about gun safety automatically equals "they’re coming for your guns." I think there's room for adults to talk about mental health, enforcement failures and realistic safeguards without instantly treating each other like we're frack'n enemies.
Same thing with abortion. I'm personally pro-life morally and spiritually but I also recognize that many Americans wrestle with incredibly difficult situations that don't fit into my belief system.
Sadly, being moderate or in the middle or whatever doesn't generate clicks. Outrage does and we've pretty much allowed ourselves to become emotionally manipulated into constant outrage. Anyone remember the Manatee Gray color "controversy" at Target a few years back? Geebus.
Ithink it's obvious how we got here, but how to we get away from it?
It feels like somewhere along the way politics stopped being about disagreements over policy and started becoming team jersey identity...quite literally us vs them or the dumber "good vs evil". We've gotten to the point where people assume your entire worldview, intelligence and even character is based on who you voted for.
Doesn't the data point to most people actually living somewhere in the middle? Personally, I still lean fiscally conservative. I think national debt matters. I think government waste is real (Huey and I once had a great conversation about defense spending). I think endless spending from BOTH parties eventually catches up to us.
But I also think its reasonable discuss out of control healthcare costs and whether corporations have too much influence (look'n ast you, Big 3!).
As I said in the mosque shooting thread, I'm a strong 2A supporter. I grew up around guns, respect responsible ownership &absolutely believe Americans have a constitutional right to defend themselves. BUT I also don't think every single discussion about gun safety automatically equals "they’re coming for your guns." I think there's room for adults to talk about mental health, enforcement failures and realistic safeguards without instantly treating each other like we're frack'n enemies.
Same thing with abortion. I'm personally pro-life morally and spiritually but I also recognize that many Americans wrestle with incredibly difficult situations that don't fit into my belief system.
Sadly, being moderate or in the middle or whatever doesn't generate clicks. Outrage does and we've pretty much allowed ourselves to become emotionally manipulated into constant outrage. Anyone remember the Manatee Gray color "controversy" at Target a few years back? Geebus.
Ithink it's obvious how we got here, but how to we get away from it?
