Submitted by MitchTobol on

For all that's left

Categories
Politics

What's left after a bruising battle, a war, a conflict, an argument? Raw feelings, resolution, terror....? Can we as a country feel unified? Did we ever?

 

We are fed a stream of news that is divisive and lopsided, you can pick the side. Social media feeds us what we want to hear...not what we should hear. Yes...it's true. Social media keeps track of what we click on and provides us with more content related to that topic. It's in their algorythms.

 

What happened to well rounded views? One look at the discourse on our political listserv answers that question. Everyone is in their own corner throwing punches and jabs whenever they get a chance not caring for the other's side. To me the public and the politcal marketers are trying to simplify the campaign choosing between safe or risky, presidential or up ending the status quo. It's alarming to me that the important issues are just cannon fodder. That lies, insults, bigotry, xenophobic behavior become news and headlines to grab eyeballs and attention rather than challenged and used as a filter to find the right person.

 

Whomever is elected in November is who we deserve because only 55% (2012) of the voting age population vote. So if you are one of them, you are very powerful and please stay that way.

 

I remember my neighbors, not too long ago, both very intelligent, well read and successful people emphatically voiced their opinion about voting. Specifically that their vote doesn't really count so why do it. Wouldn't you know that the next budget vote in our town lost by two votes...

 

This political cycle is way too long. I am already weary of the political news and we have two more months to go. I admire how the British vote in a new Prime Minister...one month. Take your best shot and then let's move on. Cheers!

Comments

Corey Bearak

I strongly argue that everyone exercise their right to vote. I devote a chapter of The Public Ought To Know to facilitating voter registration. Registration makes one more likely to vote. The more a community votes, politicians pay it (whether it be geography, ethnic, religious, racial, etc.) greater attention. Plain and simple, it pays to vote.
Fred Klein

I can't wait to vote! One Gotham member is a Poll Watcher in a battle ground state. We can not acquiesce. The Future is now!
Rona Gura

In the past I have loved arguing politics. No so with this election. Everyone is getting too riled up. It's very difficult to have a calm discussion from both sides of the aisle.
Dana Charlton

Marc, I don't know whether we ever felt unified, but in my lifetime I don't remember the nation seeming more divided, thanks to one of the candidates thriving on it. Oh, but I won't go there. I agree that voting is vital ~ we have too much to lose by being complacent.

Submitted by NeilHollander on Sat, 09/17/2016 - 11:09

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Neil Hollander

So I want to jump on Dana's take and then instead go to my new playbook . Well said Mitch as usual ! Voting is a RIGHT that we should be very proud to possess. Those who would choose not to participate can excercise that right also . The reason your neighbors don't vote is not important but it's the fact that they don't vote that has helped put us in the box we inhabit as we speak !

Hollander Sends

Submitted by Erik_Scheibe on Sat, 09/17/2016 - 14:20

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Erik Scheibe

We are where we are because we prioritize winning and ideology over integrity and truth.

People do indeed get the government they deserve. The dregs we have to choose from in this election speaks volumes about who we are right now.
Cynthia Somma

2 out of the 3 Kids in my house said, they would not vote. We are now having long discussions on the importance of every vote.
Victoria Drogin

I couldn't agree more with Rona. It is impossible to have an intelligent discussion about politics right now. I have dear friends that say things I cannot believe. I bite my tongue and lurk the politics board. . . . it Is heartbreaking how venomous we, and this country has become. BOTH candidates promote and are thriving on division. If we can hold our breaths (and our noses) and think about the issues - NOT the deeply flawed candidates and whether we "like" or respect them, since both are arguably completely unsuitable, we might have a shot at a legitimate discourse about the issues. . . . but sadly, I'm not hopeful.

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