Divisive politics

Recently, I saw a local Facebook post that referenced the Democrats being at war with America.

This isn’t the first time I’ve seen statements like this one, but they never stop getting under my skin.

I wonder, living in Texas, a state that has been under mostly Republican control for decades, how this hypothetical Democrat “war” has personally affected the commenter’s life?

My guess is, not much.

I don’t blame the people who believe this though. The GOP has mastered the politics of fear. When people feel threatened, when they believe their lifestyle, paycheck and values are at risk ... they vote!

Democratic candidates traditionally have led with legislative plans, pragmatism and yes, a little hope. This approach doesn’t make voting feel as urgent – at times it can feel like the same ol’ same ol’ political warm and fuzzies.

However, President Trump has proved to be a bit of an equalizer in the fear department because Democrats are afraid of Trump’s re-election.

And they are voting.

Texas Democratic primary voters have outnumbered Republican primary voters for the first time in over a decade. Even here, in deep red Hood County, the number of Democratic voters has almost doubled from the last presidential primary.

While Republican voters significantly outnumber Democratic voters here, I still find the increase significant.

I would like to think that the uptick in Democratic votes were due to enthusiasm for the presidential candidates, and I’m sure some of it was. But how many times during this primary season have we heard thoughtful discussions on which candidate has the best chance of beating Trump? Which candidate is strong enough to go toe-to-toe with him?

Those conversations have far outnumbered dialogues about candidates’ policies and experience, which leads to casting a vote from a place of fear – whether it’s the right’s fear of a Trump loss or the left’s fear of a Trump win.

While I believe an increase in voting is a positive, no matter the motivation, it does concern me that as a country we are going down a dark road from which we may not be able to find our way back.

We’ve already seen how the politicians in office are afraid to reach across the aisle, as doing so might harm their re-election efforts.

But if Republicans are scared of Democrats, and Democrats are scared of Republicans, how can we ever work together to accomplish great things for everyone?

How do we talk to each other about politics when both sides feel, for opposing reasons, that their entire lifestyle, paychecks and values are at risk? We argue, we separate or we just stop talking to the other side altogether.

This is the real war we are creating in our own backyards, and it is affecting all of us.

My wish is that, after this election, we keep the increase in voting and let go of the fear. That we can come together and realize we are all in the same boat, and we sink or swim together.

Do I think this will happen? No, but it’s always good to have a little hope.