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Editor’s note: This opinion is part of a point/counterpoint opinion feature about partisanship. Read the counterpoint, “Sometimes compromise isn’t the best choice ” by CU Independent Opinion Editor Ellie Bean.
(CU Independent graphic/Kelly Kaoudis)
With the ushering in of the new health care bill, there were two things that happened: Democrats were rejoicing and Republicans were furious.
No surprise really, since politics has always come down to whose side you’re on. But lately, the whole thing’s become ridiculous. Everyone has become so tied up with party affiliations they refuse to listen to anyone on the opposing side.
The discussion has stopped. You’re either red or you’re blue, you’re either with us or you’re with them. It’s not about the issues anymore. It’s about what side of the fence you stand on.
It all started with last year’s election. With the condition the country was left in, Democrats got the fuel they needed to start blaming Republicans for all the problems in the U.S., whether justified or not.
After the election, Democrats were saying, “Your turn’s over!” And after only a year of Democrats in office, Republicans are saying, “Hey, you didn’t fix all the problems! Give us the power back!”
It has set the stage for Democrats to “fix” what the Republicans supposedly “did” to this country, and left Republicans feeling bitter that they are no longer in control. It’s a tug-of-war and I’m fed up with the constant quarreling.
This leads to problems because no one will listen to each other. Each side is pushing its own agenda and doesn’t care what the other is saying, even if their points are valid.
The recent health care bill has shown there is a very clear line drawn. Instead of a piece of legislation we can all be happy with it still leaves the country divided.
With all the problems plaguing America, this separation could be very harmful. We need to be working together to find real solutions.
People need to be willing to listen to each other. It shouldn’t matter who’s in control of the House, it should matter what’s better for America. When one side gets their way, it is seen as a win for their team, as opposed to a win for their country.
There is no dialogue; decisions are based on which side will budge first. They only agree with each other and won’t recognize counter arguments.
Even back in February with the Health Care Summit, President Obama wanted everyone to sit down and have a discussion, not just be “trading talking points.” And still, nothing was decided.
Republicans didn’t want to build off of the Democrats’ ideas, they wanted to completely start over… with their ideas.
If there isn’t a discussion between people with different beliefs, how will ideal solutions come about? Everyone is so hung up on what side they’re supposed to be on that they don’t listen to the facts.
Why must it be so difficult for me to have an intellectual debate with someone without having to lay out my party affiliation on the table?
When I feel the other side won’t listen to me because of who I voted for, it discourages me from continuing any further conversation. Why bother if they won’t take me seriously?
The citizens of this country need to stop thinking so two dimensionally and realize it doesn’t matter if you’re a donkey or an elephant, you are an American, and that’s the only membership you need.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Amanda Moutinho at Amanda.moutinho@colorado.edu.
