In the midst of vitriolic election cycles, one need not be a keen observer to realize national politics has lost a sense of civility. So much energy is spent on paltry attacks, it’s a wonder our presidential candidates even find the time to advance their own positions.
In light of this abysmal state, one asks: Has politics always been this cutthroat? The answer is yes. After all, Alexander Hamilton lost his life dueling over differences in political ideology, and we can find little comfort from to the example of other Founding Fathers, President John Adams and Vice President Thomas Jefferson. Slander and disagreements abounded during the election of 1800 – the incumbent didn’t even bother to stay and hear Jefferson’s inaugural address. Character assaults and similar hostilities have continued well into the 20th century.
The dawn of Super PACs, however, has ushered a whole new dimension into American politics. Outright animosities are expressed, and unabashed war is waged on the national stage. Our politicians, in all fairness, focus on important subjects like health care, foreign policy and deficit reduction most of the time, but usually with intent to annihilate an opponent, not inspire the public. To some extent this proves a natural reaction, but even understandable extremes are wrong.
Take a look at the Republican primaries that ended not so long ago.
The underdog, former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum, whose positive thinking and grassroots efforts rendered him a contender for the GOP nomination, was pummeled with spurious accusations claiming he supported federal funding of abortion and fiscal irresponsibility.
The Romney machine wasted months and poured millions of dollars into negative campaigning in order to tarnish the reputation of a respectable Republican, which served only to weaken the party’s credibility.
Four years ago, on the opposite end of the political spectrum, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama were embroiled in their epically bitter rivalry, each candidate bent on tearing the other apart. This blood sport lasted for months before Obama emerged victorious and finally extended the olive branch of peace, but it’s difficult to argue this fiasco served as anything other than a means of highlighting political discord.
Now, virulent attack ads permeate the airways. Disgusted citizens can’t help but react with exasperation.
Name calling and unnecessary jabs are standard weekly fare.
Personal and familial affairs ought to be off-limits, yet are often considered fair game. Looking back at the media’s sensational stories ranging from canine abuse to teenage pranks, I regret having found any shock value in them at all.
Democrats begged for Romney’s tax returns and Republicans have demanded Obama’s birth certificate. Neither of these concerns bears any real merit on the ability to govern our nation well, but the fighting persists. In one speech, for instance, President Obama pointed out that a business owner cannot build a business entirely on his own.It’s a shame this one misstep became the mantra of the entire Republican National Convention with the “We Built It” slogan.
Candidates feel confined to stump speeches and teleprompters because one slip of the tongue becomes next month’s news. In the age of ubiquitous social media and Twitter hashtags, the president’s comments about “bumps in the road” are misconstrued and the governor’s words, “47 percent,” are now infamous.
The upcoming debates are a perfect opportunity for both presidential candidates to put forward constructive plans to put this country on the right path, whether it is with “progressive thought” or “traditional values.”
We mustn’t focus on a competition between the men themselves, but on moving our country in a healthy direction.
President Obama and Governor Romney ought to discuss the noble ideals motivating them and the ideas put forward to preserve those ideals, not defame each other and argue like a pair of bickering schoolchildren. We need a true leader to overcome partisan division.
Why must politics be a source of such sore distress?
In many ways, this election has revealed deeper undercurrents of animosity, but Americans want unity restored. In every patriot’s bosom our hearts beat in unison for freedom and every voice still lifts high to salute the symbol of liberty, the stars and stripes shining over us in all their glory.
We look to electing good leaders, we are capable of being The City on a Hill, but in reality we are a house divided.
