The Most Dangerous Virus in America
Partisan politics are destroying this country. I feel like each day, the fabric about what is great about this country is whittled away a little further and a little further. Soon, I fear there won’t be anything left of this country we love if we keep fighting each other in a constant battle to win for “our side.” The duopoly in this country has gotten out of control. America has basically transformed into one giant Facebook comment section, and everyone seems to be okay with that. Whoever screams the loudest gets the most likes, and so it’s become a screaming match, and no one is listening to each other. I remember hearing someone say once that nowadays, we listen in order to respond instead of listening to understand. At the time, I thought the person was being dismissive, but I feel like that’s become more and more true, especially in politics.
Look no further than the Amy Coney Barrett Supreme Court hearings. Four years ago, in February of 2016, the Republicans set the precedent that a new justice shouldn’t be selected in an election year. In fact, they delayed the vote for Merrick Garland for 293 days and never even held a vote after his nomination by President Obama. He never even received a hearing. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, was quoted as saying that the nation had a "unique opportunity" to make an impact on the court by filling it along with the timeline of voting for a new president, "as they decide who they trust to both lead the country and nominate the next Supreme Court justice."
Fast forward to the present, and he’s changed his tune significantly. As soon as Justice Ruth Bader-Ginsberg died, he announced he’d strongly support the president filling the seat, even though this runs counter to his argument when a Democratic president held office. Lindsay Graham was even more hypocritical, stating, “If an opening comes in the last year of President Trump’s term in the primary process is started, we will wait to the next election.”
Of course, he’s also backtracked and has changed his stance, hence Barrett’s hearing. I’m sure she’ll be confirmed with an overwhelming majority vote where not one Republican casts a vote against her despite some red flags like her lack of experience. How do I know? Because this country is split along party lines, and morals and ethics have no place in Washington when everything issue is viewed as a competition and “our side” always has to win, no matter the cost. Even if the price is the downfall of our democracy.
