It is what it is…
Election night in America has come and gone and while all the results are not yet in, the picture is pretty obvious. The GOP handily captured the House while the Dems barely kept the Senate.
I am not angry, frustrated, disappointed or surprised. It is what it is. While my politics generally lean towards the progressive side of things on most issues, I have been just as frustrated with congress as many of my conservative friends have been. I even support many tea-party back ideals: more personal freedom, less involvement in international conflicts, balanced budgets, term limits, etc. Of course there are still many ideals I hold that would make a tea-partier cringe: strict oversight of corporations, universal healthcare, social welfare programs, international aid, etc.
The peaceful transition of government through national elections is one aspect of American life that I am deeply proud of. That is why I am not angry about the results. The American people have spoken, and our government will change because of it.
What worries me is that if were gridlocked with a single party in control, then what is going to happen with a split congress? I certainly hope that it forces us to re-engage in meaningful political discourse and compromise. However, I fear it is just as likely to launch us into increased (and more bitter) partisan wrangling, hyperbole and demonization of "the other guys." Only time will tell which direction we go as a nation.
It has been interesting to go through this polarized political season while also preparing to move to Swaziland. You see, in Swaziland political parties are outlawed. The idea is that if people were allowed to organize into political parties then they would refuse to work with people in competing parties. 5 years ago I would have called that position completely irrational. Our history has shown that in most cases people of competing political ideologies can co-exist, work together, and even be friends. (In my own life I have close personal friends that are Republicans, Democrats, socialists, libertarians, neo-cons, anarchists, communists and even monarchists and my life is better because of it). However, I think that as a nation we have regressed in the last two years when it comes to political discourse; it is harder and harder for people to be understood on their own terms without their political affiliation short-circuiting things to assumptions and hyperbole. I am not going to point fingers, but it is disappointing.
In many ways I am really looking forward to moving to a country where political parties don’t officially exist, where there is no 24-hour news cycle, and where pundits aren’t making a living mixing politics / entertainment / ratings / stereotypes / etc. Of course every system has its issue, but it might be refreshing to deal with a King for a while instead of this crap we have endured this election cycle.
It is what it is…
Great commentary, Ben. I always appreciate your viewpoint and think that if more Americans saw things from your perspective, we’d be much better off. I too get weary with the same political stressors as you, although I’m sure I add to the frenzy at times as well.
I had a facebook friend, whom I admire very much, state “God help Kentucky if Rand Paul wins,” as if his election via the democratic process of our home state was somehow a sign of the end times. It really is that kind of hyperbole that forces the schism that much deeper, and I hope that the newly controlled GOP House can make headway in positive directions for our country, although my optimism remains skeptical (as a Libertarian who abhors the Palin-hijacking of the Ron Paul spawned Tea Party).
We’ll see if they can utilize this “second chance” accordingly, and I know that people like you and me will be watching them to hold them accountable. Cheers!