Fractured America
acrylic on canvas/ 24”by 24”/ $ 450

Healing a Fractured System
The other day I overheard two childhood friends embroiled in a shouting match about illegal immigrants that was so hateful that I doubt they will ever speak to each other again. They inspired me to search for a way to overcome the fractional divisions that plague our country.

The values I was taught as a child that made America unique and great are now in question. Due process of law, the presumption of innocence, and freedom of speech are suspect. The right to privacy has been eliminated. There is no control over the way our taxes are spent, so we drive on streets and highways dangerously flawed by pot holes, bearing signs covered with untrimmed shrubbery.

Hypocrites speak of virtue yet vote for known bullies, harassers, and sex offenders. Anti-abortionists cling to family values yet are unwilling to provide health care for children born into poverty. Hunters believe endangered species laws should be eliminated. When one party controls all of government they are quick to forget that they are there to govern on behalf of all Americans. Compromise and consensus are two important words that have been eliminated from our vocabulary.

The Statue of Liberty has little meaning for we are not willing to do as it says:
“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

Have we lost the way? It seems to me that both Republicans and Demarcates have gone haywire, holding extremist ideals that make compromise untenable. Yet it is bargaining in good faith that brings about a balanced society.

Newt Gingrich escalated the political breakdown in 1995 when he changed the congressional calendar to mid-week meetings and encouraged new delegates to go home for the weekend rather than reside in Washington and befriend members on the opposite side of the isle. Without socializing to build cross-party relationships a bitter culture developed. Simultaneously, the seniority system for selecting committee chairs was eliminated. Leadership was free to assign positions based on party loyalty, making it difficult for independent thinkers who were not willing to tow the party line.

The introduction of cable TV and internet enabled viewers to seek out hundreds of partisan stations rather than put their trust into commonly watched commentators like Walter Cronkite. Today it is rare for someone to take the time to seek evidence that confirms or denies the truth of the information they receive. The generation, shaped by Vietnam, participated in a culture war that was divisive. Baby boomers marched and fought against the establishment, and as lies about the war escalated, distrust in the media and government grew. The high cost of campaigning also contributed to fracturing the the political structure. Politicians who spend two to three hours on the phone each day fundraising instead of governing are afraid to offend party donors.

What are we left with? Hatred, class war, manipulation by power elites? It makes us wonder if it is possible to revamp the way Washington works. Haidt and Abrams suggest improving the social and political functioning of congress by encouraging after hour get togethers and by bringing congressional families back to Washington. We citizens could demand that politicians stop the blame game and labeling the other party as evil. We are in this together and thankfully most lawmakers have good intentions.

Excellent suggestions were made in 2014 by the Commission on Political Reform. Members from both sides of isle, like Tom Daschle and Trent Lott, were challenged to find ways to improve congressional working relationships. Starting with policymakers focused on solving problems rather than getting elected, they offer 60 ideas ranging from improving the electoral system, increasing voter turnout and addressing gerrymandering to congressional reform that is less hyper-polarizing. They suggest engaging young adults in service, reinstating a five day congressional work week, and limiting time for debate.

Their findings, referenced below, are interesting to read and make me believe that a more civilized way of ruling is possible. Lets begin by not dissolving long term friendships over political differences but use our heads and hearts for the benefit of all who reside in this wonderful land.

Reference:
Commission on Political Reform 2014. Governing in a Polarized America: A Bipartisan Blueprint to Strengthen our Democracy.Bipartisan Policy Center retrieved from https://bipartisanpolicy.org/library/governing-polarized-america-bipartisan-blueprint-strengthen-our-democracy/