That’s The Way Things Are

Who’s Really Chicken?

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I’m back from a brief hiatus, and just in time in fact, to see the United States default for the first time in history.

Oh… Wait, what?

We didn’t default? A last–minute deal was struck to avoid the default?


Oh, ok, thanks for straightening me out on that.

I mean, it seemed that we were destined for a default, considering how our duly elected representatives in Washington DC were playing a game of political chicken with the negotiations. Watching the back and forth between the parties, it appeared that getting the edge on the political front was more in play than actually coming to terms on a compromise and keeping the country fully operational.

Really? That’s your priority? Advancing the cause of your respective political party, not keeping your nation properly fiscally functional? Not to mention trying to make the opposition party look bad and blaming them for the mess with some political cheap shots, in an effort to help your re-election cause, even while knowing that something like 96% of incumbents retain their seats.

Really?

This is just one instance, however, of the bigger issue — we are an extremely polarized nation, politically.

This is a “chicken or egg” situation though. Which came first — the intense animosity in Washington magnified through the lens of the media and then rubbing off on the population? Or, the public at large becoming more and more intense and politically motivated in over-the-top ways, and politicians recognizing that and trying to give their constituents what they want?

That’s not precisely the bigger issue though.

The issue isn’t which came first or why it occurred in the first place. The issue is that, it is, in fact, the current political climate in our nation. For a number of years now, the level of venom in play in our national discourse has risen to an unprecedented level. The only thing that outpaces the hatred the right has for the left is the level of disrespect much of the left has for the right.

To an extent, I understand. To an extent. I mean, of course it’s normal to have disagreements over the correct way to run our country. People have different beliefs and self-interests which dictate their respective agendas.

But why does it have to be so venomous?

There’s no reason that the tone of the political debate in this country, whether between politicians, or among the citizenry at large, has to be so vitriolic. It’s said that “you get more flies with honey.” In other words, and as it specifically applies to this scenario, more can ultimately be accomplished if the back and forth to make determinations about how to maintain our national interests and our national policies and priorities has a more civil and open-minded demeanor.

There’s so much on our national and local political agendas on a daily, monthly and yearly basis which has to be dealt with, which we all have a vested stake in. Ultimately, there are so many more things that unite us than divide us. All Americans want a safe nation with a strong national defense, a strong economy, (to one extent or another) to help those amongst us who struggle the most, a happy and prosperous family. Maybe we should keep that in mind a bit more and not allow that to be overshadowed by our differences.

“Heat and animosity, contest and conflict, may sharpen the wits, although they rarely do; they never strengthen the understanding, clear the perspicacity, guide the judgment, or improve the heart..”– Walter Savage Landor

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Keywords: Mitchell Hart Cooper, Mitch Cooper, Mitchell Cooper, politics, Washington, DC, Washington DC, politicians, debt, debt ceiling, budget, federal, United States, issue, default, discourse, America, citizens, agenda, national, priorities, media