Let's Put the 'Politics' Back Into Politics

Yup, I said it. We need more 'politics' in America.

According to the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary (I don't want to pay for the official OED subscription online) 'politics' is "The activities involved in getting and using power in public life, and being able to influence decisions that affect a country or a society." I actually prefer Wikipedia's definition. It offers the Greek translation of politics, politikos, as "of, for, or relating to citizens" while giving us a more modern and broader definition of "The practice and theory of influencing other people."

"Politics" as a whole has a very bad reputation. We cringe even at the mention of the word. We know not to discuss it at parties, and we are disgusted at the thought of the "politicians" who make "politics." However, I would argue that if there were more actual politics, we might not hate the word so much.

"Go lie with a goat! Forthwith!"

My first knowledge of politics comes from the 8th grade, when I had the benefit of learning Civics during an election year. Bush Sr. was the incumbent being challenged by a wise but inexperienced (and well-aged) Ross Perot and the handsome, dynamic Bill Clinton. We learned in-depth what each of these candidates stood for. We learned why people vote for the candidate they prefer, and why it matters.

(Side note: We watched a news program during class that showed people at the Democratic National Convention. The reporter talked to some people in the crowd, and I specifically remember a group of young women who, when asked why they supported Bill Clinton, their reply in unison was, "Hillary!" I can still see my teacher shaking her head with a sigh. This was NOT how you select a candidate!)

But just in case, better not take any chances.

Throughout my high school and college years, I became more fascinated by the world of politics. Had I learned only to look at the type of people typically belonging to the Republican or Democratic parties, I'd have grown up completely confused by politics. Had I learned only that Republicans want gun rights and closed borders, and Democrats want legalized abortion and gay rights, I'd have grown up thinking this is what it means to belong to one of these parties. Unfortunately, many don't seem to have received the same education I did, or they choose to allow their beliefs to overshadow... other things I'll get to in a moment.

I read an article on Yahoo news (don't judge me; I read MANY news outlets) that troubled me. The focus was on Senator Jeff Flake, R, of Arizona. He was called "the GOP's anti-Trump," as his policies are pretty opposite those of Donald Trump. In case you're not familiar with The Donald's amazingly-abrasive policies, just know that he has a very hard stance on everything he stands for. No gun control, no border leniency, no slack on foreign policy, and NO COMPROMISES. Sen. Flake has similar beliefs. However, he is strongly disliked by many in his party for having the audacity to hear the other side out. He was at a summit recently where people, fellow Republicans (many of whom voted for him), were blasting the Senator for his open mind. They didn't like that he spent a week thoroughly looking over President Obama's nuclear deal with Iran to see if compromises could be made, even though ultimately he agreed that it was a bad deal. They don't like that he's open to trying to find common ground when it comes to immigration reform. They don't want someone who is willing to work with the other side.

Don't smile at me, you MONSTER!

When did this become acceptable? In what other relationship is it OK to have 100% demand and 0% compromise? Imagine all the differences you have in your relationships. Take marriages, for example. Just think about all the differences you and your partner have. Now imagine what would happen if you DEMANDED the other person saw every argument, every decision, and every opinion your way without wanting to give them even an inch. Imagine how your lives together would be if you refused to hear your partner out. Sure, getting your way every time sounds great, doesn't it? It sounds awesome, right up until the moment it all falls apart. Your relationships would crumble, so why are we wanting this to happen to our country?

Have we already forgotten the last government shutdown? People, this happened only a couple years ago! I still remember many who blamed the Democrats and many who blamed the Republicans. But do you know what I remember the most? Many who blamed our political leaders for not working together. This was 16 days of a government shutdown basically over one single issue (the Affordable Care Act). Can you imagine if all of our political leaders handled things the way Trump wants to handle them?

"Hey, it's The Donald. I won! Thanks Obama."

Here's the thing, Republicans. I totally get it. Trump has struck a chord with us right where are frustrations have been the greatest. He is music to our ears when he says what we're all thinking. He is going to start bullying the world and make them fear us once again. He is going to be the opposite of the current President, who we love to hate. I know we like to dramatize things and call Obama the personification of evil and say he's trying to weaken the United States. Are we really not smarter and more mature than this? I have values and standards as well, and some of them are very uncompromising. But talk like this is seriously and detrimentally childish, and I don't even want to waste time on why. No American President has ever wanted this country to run poorly, and they've all done what they believed was the absolute best thing for this country. To say otherwise is foolish and immature. My biggest problem with President Obama isn't even his policies (though I find most of them to be abhorrent). It's his contribution to all the stubbornness we have become accustomed to in Washington. But if his opponents are literally calling him evil and are unwilling to compromise back, are we really giving him the best to work with?

So yes, we need more politics, practiced by real politicians. Don't make that face. Don't cringe. We need more representatives who represent The People rather than Some People. We need leaders willing to work with others who believe completely different things than they and their voters believe, and we need their voters to be ok with that. Husbands don't win arguments in successful marriages, and neither do wives. The marriages themselves win through resolutions and compromise. This is what America needs.