I think that it starts with the politicians at the top. Instead of simply agreeing that we have differences, politicians attach motives to the other side.
This has been going on for decades and the more it was done, the more the people actually believed what they were saying.
Paul Ryan made a wonderful speech after the police officers were gunned down in Dallas last year. This represents the way that we should be thinking of each other and our opposition.
Here's the speech.
Quote:
“We are all stunned by the events last night in Dallas. We are all outraged. An attack on the people who protect us is an attack on all of us.
“Our hearts are with the Dallas Police Department. Our hearts are with the victims, and especially with their loved ones. They wear the badge too. I know that to be a cop's wife or a cop's husband is to prepare for the worst, but who could fathom such horror as this.
“There is no cause or context in which this violence—this kind of terror—is justified. None at all.
“There will be a temptation to let our anger harden our divisions. Let’s not let that happen. There’s going to be a temptation to let our anger send us further into our corners. Let’s not let that happen. That script is just easy to write—it’s too predictable. Let’s defy those predictions.
“A few perpetrators of evil do not represent us. They do not control us. The blame lies with the people who committed these vicious acts, and no one else. And as the president rightfully said, justice will be done.
“We also have to let the healing be done as well. This has been a long week for our country. It’s been a long month for America. We have seen terrible, terrible senseless things.
“Every member of this body—every Republican and every Democrat—wants to see less gun violence. Every member of this body wants a world in which people feel safe regardless of the color of their skin. And that’s not how people are feeling these days.
“Sometimes we disagree on how to get there. Sometimes we disagree passionately on how to get there. But in having this debate, let’s not lose sight of the values that unite us. Let’s not lose sight in our common humanity.
“The values that brought those protesters to the streets in Dallas, the values that brought those protesters to the streets in Washington last night—respect, decency, compassion, humanity. If we lose these fundamental things, what’s left?
“We need to take a moment here. For reflection, for thought, for prayer, for justice, for action. Right now, let’s let justice be done, and let’s also let some healing occur, too.”
|
I think that unfortunately most people running for office, don't believe that this kind of attitude will help the get elected and they may be right. When Bob Dole was running against Bill Clinton, he said, "He is not my enemy, he is my opponent." When John McCain ran against President Obama, he said, "We shouldn't be afraid if Obama wins. He's a good man."
Both of these people lost and most candidates who take this kind of attitude toward their opponents also lose.
The problem is that most of the politicians understand that this is just politics and they are friendly afterward. Look at the nice things that President Trump said about Hillary at his inauguration luncheon.
Most of the people actually believe that the opposition party are enemies of the country.
I don't have an answer as to how to stop it. I only fear that it is going to get worse.