The Great Divide
Finding Common Ground in Divisive Times
This is one interview in a 6-part series. The interviews were anonymous, and names changed to keep anonymity.
Why do you think our country is so divided right now?
Alan: I think it’s manufactured. They’re building cases to have people take sides. No one is finding that middle ground and running with the ball. “They” meaning both political parties.
- Tell us a little about yourself.
Alan: Retired and from the NY area.
- Would you describe yourself as liberal, conservative or independent? Why? Have you always seen yourself this way or have you changed over time?
Alan: I am fiscally conservative and there are some issues I would call myself “laxed” on. I think I’ve always been this way.
- What are the issues that you feel most strongly about?
Alan: Fairness. I would love open communication. That’s probably the biggest issue I see right now. I don’t think anyone is smart enough to create limits on abortion. I think it’s overstated on a conservative side. The economy is really poorly run. We’re pouring so much money into the government and we should be doing just the opposite.
- What subjects would you say might be a place for common ground? In other words, places where your views might intersect with someone who you would otherwise be voting very differently from?
Alan: I would think I’m on the same side of abortion with people who would be considered more liberal. It’s really hard to tell what’s true or not. This whole focus on transgenderism for younger people is scary. If someone is troubled, we should certainly help troubled people.
Gas prices are a self-inflicted wound, I think. Everyone decided that climate was an issue, but thinking that the US is able to do something about it is a bit short sighted. We’re just one piece of the puzzle. What we’re missing is the nuclear side. It’s my understanding that nuclear energy is very safe, and it seems silly that we don’t take advantage of that more.
I really hate where the government comes in and gives things away to people. That’s not the federal government’s job at all.
The border is another self-inflicted wound with a cascading effect. Bringing more people in is like adding weight to a hot air balloon. It’s not good for us. There’s a distinction between legal and illegal immigration.
- How do you feel about the January 6th insurrection?
Alan: I think if Donald Trump wanted to do an insurrection, he would have done a much better job than that. But there’s no way that was an insurrection. The insurrection is the suppression of information. There is voting fraud. The real question is how pervasive it is.
You want to talk about life and threats. Where’s the line between rhetoric and potential action?
You wonder why this guy Ray Epps isn’t in jail and everybody else is for January 6th?
There are people who went in there and destroyed things, and yes, they should be arrested. But not those people who just walked around.
I heard the National Guard was offered, but it was turned down.
We have a President right now without full faculties, so I’m really wondering who’s running the country. What’s dangerous about that is you’re supposed to elect the person who’s leading you, not some mystery group in the background.
- Do you have friends who think differently politically from you? If so, do you have conversations about what’s going on politically? Or do you avoid them?
Alan: I avoid them because they say things to me that are not understandable to me at all. It’s my understanding that a lot of the jobs that are created are either government jobs or illegal immigrant jobs, not manufacturing jobs that really build the core of the country.
- What do you think the solution is for bringing people together again?
Alan: I think the solution is ugly and that ugliness is stopping the suppression of information. Having real debates with real fact checking not shallow fact checking.
- When we don’t agree on things, what’s the key to maintaining civility?
Alan: That’s personality. If someone says something that I feel is totally off the wall, I just suggest that we move to a better conversation. I would think that someone who believes those things in their heart – they’re not going to want to change, and I just might be the same way. So many sound bites and not substantive information.
I think our political system is run by about 600 people, if you break it down. Why are politicians millionaires? There’s something not quite right about that. The system encourages people in those roles and protects them.
Anything else?
Alan: It is a shame and part of the shame is there’s more noise than information out there.