Democratic politicians and pundits (Democratic politicians) need to constructively express their differences with Republicans. The arguments, language and presentations that some Democrats use divide the nation.
Many have argued that America is more divided than ever. America, however, has always been divided. That is why presidential elections are close.
What seems to have changed is the intensity of the divisions and the intolerance of differing views. Factions have grown louder, and their claims have gotten more personal and more pronounced.
A growing disdain, and oftentimes hatred, of those with different political views has become more common. In some cases, family ties and lifelong friendships have ended.
Political differences should not have this effect and, in the past, did not do so. Disagreements over domestic programs or foreign policy did not affect friendships and families.
The adage of "don't discuss politics" was normally sufficient to preserve relationships. Now, it seems that just knowing that one has a different view can be enough to cause divisions. What has changed?
In my May 2021 article, I maintained that the argument of "Republicans are racist" divides America. The "Republicans are racist" argument is presented incessantly on Capitol Hill, in the traditional media, on social media.
The argument causes division because of concerns that Republicans are racist and, therefore, immoral. Some Democrats may sever ties with friends or family because these Democrats may think that their Republican friends or family are either racist or are enabling racists by voting for Republicans.
A new Democratic argument, some Democrats' choice of language, and a recent use of Congressional hearings also leads to division. The argument is that President Trump and Republicans (hereinafter, "Trump") want to take away rights and liberties. This argument has two main variations: Trump is a threat to democracy and Trump is a dictator.
Democrats have taken this argument so far that Senate Minority Leader Charles Shumer recently maintained that Trump was acting like a dictator when Trump opposed windmills.
Trump is not a threat to democracy. He won an election (i.e., became President in a democratic fashion). Trump has not made any indication that he wants to end elections. In fact, he is taking steps to preserve elections by seeking to eliminate cheating and ensure that only American citizens vote.
Trump is not acting like a dictator. Trump is sending bills to Congress for passage while a dictator would pass decrees unilaterally.
Trump is litigating executive orders and other policies while a dictator would squash the courts (or fill the courts with his own judges).
The "take away rights and liberties" argument causes division. Some Democrats may sever friendships and family ties because they do not want to be around someone who would "take away right and liberties" or vote for someone who wants to do so.
The "taking away rights and liberties" argument, therefore, has a similar impact as the "Republicans are racist" argument. To some, the division between Republicans and Democrats changes from one of policy differences to that of morality.
Some Democrats' choice of language causes division. Democrats are using profanity at rallies, in social media, and during Congressional hearings. Congresspersons have even used the phrase "F*** Trump!"
Some Democrats are turning congressional hearings into opportunities for badgering and belittling witnesses. They ask disrespectful questions, make snide remarks, and try to prevent witnesses from answering (oftentimes, by shouting "reclaiming my time.")
Asking hard questions and fostering discussion is important. The process, however, must be conducted in a peaceful fashion.
The use of profanity and the unruliness of congressional hearings decrease the civility of discussions and hamper the ability to discuss policy differences. This conduct may inflame the passions of some in the electorate.
Further, people may feel that is permissible to harden their views, just like the politicians are doing. As a result, disagreements between friends and family over politics may become more severe and relationships could suffer.
A change in the Democrats' tactics could help heal the division in America. Democrats should start making nuanced and specific arguments against the policies to which they disagree such as: "I disagree with the policy for these reasons: Reason 1, reason 2, etc." This method focuses on the issues.
Consequently, it is less divisive because the focus is on policies, not the morality of the opposition. Republicans can respond by (1) stating their reasons for the policy and (2) arguing why the Democrats' reasons are flawed.
Politicians have always disagreed with each other and made arguments so that they could get ahead. As such, they have always misconstrued the other side's views, referred to the other side as different names, etc.
The recent division in the country due to politics, however, is different and dangerous. America must strive to increase unity to decrease the intensity of divisions.
Michael B. Abramson is a practicing attorney. He is also an adviser with the National Diversity Coalition for Trump. He is the host of the "Advancing the Agenda" podcast and the author of "A Playbook for Taking Back America: Lessons from the 2012 Presidential Election." Follow him on his website and Twitter, @mbabramson. Read Michael B. Abramson's Reports — More Here.
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