November 15, 2005
OPINIONSLegend's View:
America needs to find a middle ground
In the land of the free, why is it that all too often we find ourselves with only two choices?
In the country that claims freedom of speech, thought, and expression why is it that when you say you support one idea suddenly five others are in your lap demanding loyalty?
The American political arena has deteriorated from what it once was. No longer do men contend with important issues like boxers.
Instead, we find ourselves at a circus where monkeys ride elephants and clowns mount donkeys. Both compete for the attention of the crowd, but with gaudy and tasteless spectacles. Each claim superiority to the other, but donkeys stink just as much as elephants, and monkeys are as dumb as clowns.
Political theatrics are all too prevalent in today’s media. The extremists from each side speak louder than the rest, forcing over-reactive views on their supporters.
Resistance to adopt the entire platform results in degrading criticism and even complete rejection.
The best example would have to be talk radio.
Men behind microphones read headlines from papers, doing little research themselves, and slander opponents behind their backs. The hosts are redundant, the commentary is destructive, and the attitudes are juvenile.
Instead of finding solutions or common ground to unite the public, talk radio drives wedges to separate the drifting culture even more so. Since talk radio is predominantly conservative, it is heavily unbalanced and leans awkwardly to the right.
Liberals have dirty hands too. Many pop-culture icons find themselves on the left and shamelessly try to use their stardom to shift public opinion. Many make unfounded comments merely because they think they can. Alice Cooper made the point clear:
“If you’re listening to a rock star in order to get your information on who to vote for, you’re a bigger moron than we are. Why are we rock stars? Because we’re morons. We sleep all day, we play music at night and very rarely do we sit around reading the Washington Journal.”
Jon Stewart, the pseudo-anchorman of The Daily Show, confronted the hosts of the political debate show Crossfire about their conduct during the 2004 elections.
Stewart pleaded with the hosts to help America. He said the theatrics of the show was hurting the public. He was right.
When all we are offered are extremes, the results drive us further from the steady middle. We find ourselves balancing precariously at opposite ends. Without a sure, solid footing we cannot progress.
The ideals of America are not based on what is left or right. American ideals are about being fair and just, a balance or compromise and not an extreme.
George Washington was arguably the most pivotal American in history. After the Revolutionary War, Washington was a man who dedicated his life to freedom, and wanted to establish a system that would preserve it.
In his final address Washington addressed his fear of uprising political parties.
Washington said that parties in an elected government are of a, “spirit not to be encouraged.”
“It serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration,” Washington said.
Unfortunately, Washington’s last address had little lasting effect on the public. Maybe that’s why he is frowning on the dollar bill.
While it may be too late to abolish political parties, it is possible to turn down the intensity.
Adhering more to common sense, justice, and balance rather than left or right is the key.
Being an independent thinker and thoroughly examining all possible sides is vital. Don’t be taken in by the pompous activities of the parties.
Learn now to think for yourself. Work for unity and not division. Avoid the extremes and stay as close to the middle as possible.