We have been told that the United States is a nation divided. Divided like never before. Is that true? Do your political convictions put you firmly in one camp to the extent that you vehemently deny the legitimacy of the other side? If so, I have a challenge for you.
Pretend it is two days before the next election. You have been asked to appear before a group of undecided voters. Your task is to present three reasons why they should support your candidate. Your goal is to persuade them to vote for your guy.
Sound easy? Sure, especially if you are personally convinced that the opposing candidate is so inept, so totally corrupt, that no voter with half a brain would vote for anyone so flawed.
But wait. Not so easy. There is one condition that you must adhere to in this hypothetical exercise. As you make your case, you are not allowed any reference to the opposing candidate. Can’t say his name. Can’t mention his political party. You are only allowed to say what your candidate would do and why that would be good for the country.
As an aside, this exercise can have humorous consequences. Seek out a friend who is totally opposed to your political perspective. (And I hope that you do have friends who disagree with your point of view.) Present him, or her, with this challenge. Then, as he reads that final condition, watch him start to twitch, his head spin, his eyes roll back in his head as he froths at the mouth. Can’t even say the name of the moron running against his guy. Ha!
Amusing? Yes, but at the same time, sad. We have, indeed, become a nation divided. We have been taught to vilify those whose opinions differ from our own. Debate actual policy positions? No, that would be too much work. You would have to actually research the issues. It is much easier to adopt the one liners being promoted by your favorite cable news channel. Simply attack and walk away. Sad.
Unfortunately, that shortcoming is all too common and is not limited to one side or the other. It is an affliction troubling both the left and the right.
How did we get to this place? Intellectual laziness? Maybe. Passionate conviction? That is possible. Doesn’t matter. Regardless of the cause, it is something that must be resisted.
Okay, enough preaching. Let’s make this exercise really interesting.
Fasten your seat belt and flip the switch. You are now facing the same audience as above. But instead of presenting the case for your favored candidate, you must now present three compelling reasons why the audience must vote for the candidate you oppose.
Good luck with that.