June is drawing to a close, another “climax” in the never-ending election cycle that characterizes politics in the country.
When I was younger, we had a fairly finite number of election cycles. Every two years we had a campaign, a primary, an election, and then every two years, every four years, we had a presidential election. The parties couldn’t agree on what policies should be implemented and how.
But in the end, there was always compromise, we could acknowledge our differences, and move forward with the intent of pursuing the best interests of the American people.
There were always serious differences of opinion and things seemed to ebb and flow as one party was primarily siding with the business community and the wealthy while the other was siding with the people, wanting to give everyone a level playing field regardless of race, religion, sexual preference, etc.
Religion and sexual orientation have often been ignored or swept under the rug. Race has had an interesting history in our political life. At first, one party stood for diversity and equality, but over time, the parties seem to have switched positions.
Both parties rigged the system to make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for independent candidates to win elections. Independent candidates must gather a certain number of signatures on a petition to appear on the ballot. Additionally, both parties rigged the primary system to ensure that their preferred candidate would run in the general election.
We’ve seen it in federal elections, but it’s also spilling over into state and local elections. It used to be that party leaders would sit out primaries and support the candidate who won the general election. That’s no longer the case.
It is particularly ironic that two parties control the election given that independent voters currently outnumber either party and are on track to outnumber both parties combined.
Politics has become a blood sport. It’s a 24/7, everyday war. If you’re on “the other side” you’re wrong or evil. No longer are candidates judged on their actions or overall policies. Now it’s a world of personal attacks and the most vile lies imaginable.
How many of you, especially in the last eight to ten years, have lost family members or friends because of politics? How many of you now cannot see the humanity of others because of their race, religion, sexual orientation or political party?
How many times have we been divided by those in power, making us focus on survival to the point that we lose sight of life, missing out on the opportunity to meet and interact with others?
Why do we allow people to drive us apart when we are so close? Why do we hate people or things we don’t know just because that’s what we’ve been taught to do? Why have we become so politically polarized?
Why do we believe that this person or that person will save us? Why do we believe the lies of political parties, politicians and their corporate masters when in this technological age the truth is easily found by doing research and checking sources?
We may choose to live with lies that fit our preconceived ideas, based on what we see and hear people say.
We are all human beings, we are all part of this planet, we are all part of everything, and I feel sorry for those who hate their fellow humans rather than love them.
Scott Perez is a former cowboy, guide, and occasional actor based in the Durango area. He has a Masters in Natural Resource Management from Cornell University.
