When I think of words that could be used to describe the many privileges we have as Americans, the word “choice” comes to mind.
Have you walked down a grocery store aisle lately? How many choices of cereal does one person need?
How about a visit to a hardware store? How many hammers exist that basically perform the same function?
One thing we don’t lack here in America is choices, yet when it comes to deciding who will serve as our top political leaders, in the general election, we often limit ourselves to only two choices.
The two-party powerhouse system dominates our political landscape. Sure, other parties exist, but if we’re being honest, the Democratic and Republican parties massively overshadow all the rest.
The party loyalty we have in this country really is outstanding, but I wonder if it’s also becoming toxic?
When I ask people about their political beliefs, my goal is to gain an understanding of their values. Most of the time instead of gaining insight, I only hear their parties’ talking points.
When I’ve kindly questioned, slightly challenged or cautiously asked about the basis for such perspectives, I often get quite a strong reaction.
It’s almost as if I’ve insulted their favorite sports team, or worse. Why have we been approaching the running of our nation as if there are only two sports teams to choose from and we must pick a side?
All across the nation, Democrats and Republicans are more divided currently than at any time in recent history.
Could it be that the two-party system has boxed us in so tightly we are unable to see the possible strengths the party “not on our side” could bring to the table?
Could it be that having only two choices makes us all feel so limited and our only options are so polarizing we can’t see past the glare the split has created among us?
Why can’t we look past our own “team” and take a closer look at the policies that do or don’t represent our personal values?
I would like to propose we all take time to do just that. Doing so will help us restore rational perspective.
By reflecting on our individual values we might find that we were letting our party decide them for us and that possibly we’re not all that happy with how that turned out. In fact, according to Gallup Inc., America’s Independent voting bloc is growing.
Maybe if we look beyond our two-party system, we will shed some of the toxicity we have all been reacting to.
Let’s pay some attention to advice from two of our country’s founding fathers.
This 1780 quote is attributed to John Adams: “There is nothing which I dread so much as a division of the republic into two great parties, each arranged under its leader, and concerting measures in opposition to each other. This, in my humble apprehension, is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution.”
And from Thomas Jefferson in 1800: “I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend.”
I hope we will consider these wise words and stop being just red or blue, and begin to be the red, white, and blue.