|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Divisive Rhetoric Isn’t Going Solve the Nation’s Problems By: Jimmy James  |
| |
 You know that the Presidential campaign is in full swing when Democrats are equated to terrorists and Republicans are the modern incantation of the Nazi party. The current war of words between political parties is hotter than ever, but where does such rhetoric get the average American? Nowhere fast.
In the last few weeks we have seen an almost unbelievable barrage of quick wit and inflammatory language as each party tries to demonize the other in hopes of gaining a few more points in the national polls, but in all the struggle, the problems of the average American gets pushed further and further away from any attention or solution.
Misinformation has always been part of the political landscape but never has it been so prevalent, or been so acted upon by those who simply pick up the party line and run.
I’m thinking of two cases in particular.
The first is the now famous Orange County, Florida billboard which displays the two towers at the moment of attack with the words, “Please don’t vote for a Democrat.” Here’s the real problem with that billboard, it’s not only attempting to equate a political party with the declared enemy of the nation but, when Mike Meehan, financier of the billboard was questioned about his motivation for purchasing the ad he responded that he believed that 9/11 could have been avoided had there been a Republican in the White House at the time. Huh?
Where has Meehan been? Where is he getting his information that he could be so obviously in error? Attempting to do your part to support your party during an election is one thing; acting on false information that is inflammatory and just plain wrong is something else. Really, what a waste of time, effort and money.
The second thing that has me a little ticked is the attempt to portray John McCain as actively trying to provoke a war with Iran. Here’s another situation where disinformation is ruling the day. McCain doesn’t want a war with Iran, the fact that he is prepared for such a situation should it arise is something very different from planning and actively seeking a conflict. Yet the rhetoric is: McCain = War with Iran, and that simply isn’t the case.
And that is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the political back and forth. There’s also the oil issue, to drill or not to drill and Iraq, and timeline or no timeline, etc… We could go on and on but when all is said and done, where does any of this divisive language get the American People? Nowhere fast, and unfortunately, we just don’t have the time for it now.
The problems facing our country and specifically our economy are almost insurmountable, and if were going to get America back on track we need to start working together. Here’s a news flash: we’re all on the same team. We rise or fall together, and in the end, we have only ourselves to blame for our failure or to congratulate for our victory.
As the election process gets even hotter, the temptation is going to be to get even dirtier, but this time around we’ve got to rise above. As tempting as it’s going to be, don’t give in to gutter politics and stay focused on what really matters.
This time around don’t just fall in line, demand more for your candidate and your elected officials. Demand that they take up a prop-American platform and not just a policy of destruction. Everyone wants to win, but if we don’t unify as a country, regardless of who wins the presidency, the real looser may be the country as a whole.
Let’s put some pressure n and let Washington know that we’re paying attention and that they better do the right thing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|