Butch Has a Theory About the Political Divide

   Recent studies have determined that Americans are more polarized than ever. The political divide regarding such topics as the economy, racial justice, climate change, law enforcement, gun ownership, election fraud, trust in government, religion…and even the belief in our own democracy and core American values…have reached extremes, with no middle ground.

   It wasn’t always this way. Yes, there have been differences of opinion since our country was formed, but the vast majority of times we agreed to disagree…a major exception being the Civil War. There have been rough spots, but problems were discussed, debated, and worked out to find common ground in order to reach successful conclusions. Not any more. What has changed?

   In the past we got our news from TV network news and daily newspapers…99.9 percent of it reliable information. Now we tune in to the cable news channels like Fox News and MSNBC, and digest the comments, beliefs and viewpoints of social media platforms such as Twitter (X) and Facebook. Cable news is a business that depends on ratings and advertisements to make money. Each one wants you as a viewer. These channels mix information with entertainment. They try to appeal to your beliefs by using partisan opinions and stories that can warp your perspective, and cause you to have a negative view of the opposing political party and social groups. A person who continually watches Fox or MSNBC will develop a “you versus them” mentality. This can have severe consequences, especially among those viewers who come to think of people who disagree with them as “the enemy” who must be eliminated.

  Then there are people who only use social media to receive news information. According to recent data, there are nearly 300 million users in the U.S. The companies that own social media want you to spend your time “liking, sharing, and tweeting” your opinions and comments, because while you are doing this you are also looking at paid advertising. They used algorithms that amplify divisive content and reinforce existing biases and beliefs. The more polarization, the better, as far as they are concerned. Misinformation and fake news run rampant on these social media platforms, and spread instantly. And guess what? Social “bots,” which pose as real people, post nearly one-third of the content, much of which comes from other countries who would like nothing better than to destroy our nation and way of life. Facebook is addictive, and the automated systems are programmed to encourage like-minded users to agree with each other, and subsequently promote political divisiveness.

   Add to this another factor…54 percent of adults in our country possess reading literacy BELOW a 6th grade level. It’s true. The U.S. ranks 36th out of all the countries in the world in literacy. We have been “dumbed down” to the point where emotions, instead of knowledge and critical thinking, now rule politics.

   At one time I watched Fox News each evening because I tend to agree with most of their commentary. I occasionally tuned in to MSNBC and CNN to hear their opposing viewpoints. No more. I don’t listen to either channel. The TV stays off. I prefer to sit in the peace and quiet and read. I have never signed up for any social media platforms. I never will. If I want to hear an opposing viewpoint, I will listen to someone in person…face to face. We can discuss our differences of opinion as adults. You might consider doing likewise if you value your sanity.

   Our national politicians also need to act like adults, talk to each other in person, agree to disagree, and do what is best for everyone…not just themselves, not for the lobbyists, not for those voters demanding special rights…and certainly not for anyone who hates our country. If they refuse to do this, I truly believe that the political violence we have experienced lately will continue to escalate. We have reached the point of becoming two nations within one country. Is another civil war out of the question? Sad to say…perhaps not….

John “Butch” Dale is a retired teacher and County Sheriff. He has also been the librarian at Darlington the past 36 years, and is a well-known artist and author of local history.