Divisive
The republicans have been very successful in creating “wedge” issues that divide us into pro and anti forces of almost religious devotion. Anti-abortion v. pro-choice, anti-taxes v. pro-social responsibility, fanatically religious v. pro-separation of church and state, etc. These false dichotomies have crippled our political process.
The example I’m thinking about as I write this post is abortion. 99.5% of Americans you talk to would say they are anti-abortion; the fewer abortions that occur, the better. In fact, only an odd and fanciful few would disagree if you told them the US should do more to prevent abortion.
So, what if democrats turned this weakness into a strength. “We can’t tell you what to think as the republicans can, but we can address your opinions. The common ground we share is that we all believe there should be fewer abortions. Let’s find a way to make that happen.”
On the side, let’s address our political differences and see if we can come to an armistice. We may never agree, and neither side will ever win, but we can use our common ground to accomplish the mutually beneficial points of our common beliefs.
But republicans rely on this type of gut wrenching issue division to ensure voter turnout, and the faithful turn out in droves to reward them. Democrats, on the other hand, have had a hard time unifying their stance on these republican trigger issues. Nobody’s 100% pro-choice. Not everyone who believes in separation of church and state is an atheist. Few who believe prayer in school is inappropriate also believe Christmas carols are a violation of their civil rights.
