Is it just me or are we at a critical mass of political incivility?
Many want to blame political leaders or the media for the vehement partisanship in politics but what if the onus is really on us, the electorate?
When asked, people say they want leaders who don’t bicker and are bridge builders — but, at the end of the day, do voters reinforce the very behavior they purport to hate?
Are we creating an environment of political blood sport? What are voters looking for in their candidates? Politicians who have their best interests at heart, share their values or have even a smattering of policy knowledge on issues facing those they will represent?
It doesn’t appear that way, taking a look at recent polls, debate contenders and a cursory perusal of social media. The most nebulous of posts about candidates or issues immediately draw feverish wrath from politicos.
Right here in good ol’ Arkansas, the capitol of porch sittin’, visitin’ and ice tea sippin’, there’s a flurry of political ire, intolerance and harsh partisanship.
Voters aren’t focused on the issues or candidates concerned with the challenges facing Arkansans — they celebrate the contender with the most punches, knockouts and knack for eviscerating their opponents.
A recently released study, “Red and Blue States of Mind Partisan Hostility and Voting in the United States” by Patrick Miller, a researcher at University of Kansas, and Pamela Johnston, a political science professor at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, showed Republicans and Democrats alike are not so much worried about issues or policy but more about their particular “team” winning elections regardless of the issues.
The partisan rivalry and incivility are reaching epic proportions and sadly those who are the most “engaged” are quite often the most uniformed on the issues — and, they don’t care as long as their team is winning.
The study showed 41 percent of partisans are more worried about winning elections than policy or ideological goals and 38 percent supported their party using any means necessary to win elections and issue debates. How sad that the notions of good government and sound policy are being squeezed out of the conversation by drama and showmanship.
Voters aren’t doing their due diligence on issues or policy matters. They’re simply picking a “team,” finding a news source supporting their side with no regard for the facts and saying “let the games begin.” Politics are becoming a cage-fighting match.
It will take some very courageous and committed folks to turn the tide — real statesmen, if you will, willing to confront their “team” and insist on facts before rhetoric. They will have to stop placating to the fanatically misinformed and begin to cultivate an environment where sound policy wins out over headlines and press conferences.
Perhaps Joseph de Maistre had is right when he said, “Every nation gets the government it deserves.”