Mark Meckler recently published a timely and much-needed op-ed in Townhall about the tendency of Americans of both political stripes to politicize every aspect of American life.
From suicides to police shootings to beauty pageants to football, it seems like nothing is outside the scope of viscous political arguments. The result has been a form of tribalism that resembles 11th century Scotland more than 2019 America. We've come to distrust our fellow Americans on the other side of the aisle to such an extent that we won't even socialize with members of the other political party.
In short, it's tearing our nation apart.
The solution, as Mark explains, is threefold:
First, refuse to buy into the hysteria. I do respect people’s decisions to buy what they want to buy or not buy what they don’t want to buy – whether it’s shopping at Target or wearing Nikes. How great would it be if these companies respected their customers enough to get out of all these acrimonious political conversations altogether? Since I can’t control the CEOs, I don’t necessarily bow to the political pressures associated with “one side” or the other. I hate the politics of Apple, but I love their products. I also use Google, though I disagree with their politics.
I don’t demand my technology company align me with me politically, I don’t demand it of my friends either. How much more interesting dinner conversation is when there’s good natured disagreement!
Second, we must be able to call out members of “our own side” when they transgress against basic human decency. Yes, that means that people “in your tribe” will be angry at you, but that’s what it takes. Just a little courage.
Third, fight to keep at least some “safe spaces” in America. We have to start from the most basic topics. Shaving, for example, has become a political minefield (thanks to the now infamous Gillette ad). Food now requires an ideological test, thanks to Ben & Jerry’s “Resistance” flavors and critics of Chick-fil-A trying to run them out of town. Even Martin Luther King Jr. Day is now a competition of “what whacky political position would Martin have supported” instead of a commemoration that all Americans should be able to stand behind.
Ideally, it would be great if the “safe spaces” were sports, entertainment, and music, so Americans of all stripes could have some topics we could discuss without getting increasingly angry at each other. Also, we should resist the urge to politicize shootings, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, and any other natural disasters.
Our nation is at stake here. We’re all Americans.
None of this means that we have to stop fighting for freedom and self-governance in our nation. In fact, the most effective means of preserving freedom is by using a solution that appeals to both sides of the aisle.
An Article V Convention of States can propose constitutional amendments that get D.C. out of our daily lives. These amendments can limit the power and jurisdiction of federal agencies, reduce the scope of all three branches of the federal government, and empower the people and the states to determine their own futures.
No American, whether Democrat or Republican, wants a bureaucrat in Washington to make decisions for themselves or their family. That's why members of both parties have joined the Convention of States Project, and fifteen states have jumped on board. Sign the Convention of States Petition below to sign your name to the list!
