In an election year, it is no surprise that the dial is turned up on the political rhetoric. But this year it is different, more exaggerated perhaps, because the stakes are so high.
I would characterize the difference in terms of party hostility. Both parties' participation in name-calling, derision, and personal attacks on opponents seems at an all-time vicious high. More important, however, is the lack of even the simplest debates on issues. The underlying cause is that both parties are in indefensible positions.
Republicans have been marginalized by so many administrative indiscretions (e.g., Iraq not actually having the weapons of mass destruction that initially justified U.S. troop deployment over there). Coupled with the current administration's incredible departures from conservative policy across the board, especially where spending and civil rights are concerned, what you have are many Republicans feeling politically abandoned, if not betrayed.
Democrats are no better in that the party has become an unredeemable toothless tiger, first by caving on most Republican-sponsored legislation that traditionally would have been political suicide for any Democrat who supported it. But even more critical was failing to stand united behind its own political philosophy and, by way of opposition, providing a sustainable vision for America's future. Again, the result is many Democrats feeling abandoned, even betrayed.
I listen to a lot of talk radio and watch all kinds of political programming on television. What never ceases to amaze and aggravate me is the lack of actual information that passes between the participants. This is true for nearly all the newscasts, too. I find that at the end of the day, with the exception of CSPAN's coverage of the House of Representatives and the Senate (it isn't CSPAN's fault if the elected officials conduct vacuous meetings), I hear many opinions, but very little new, let alone relevant, information regarding the issues of the day. Most of the feed is repetitive and benign.
Both the elected officials and political pundits are engaging in far more one-way, emotion-inciting dialogue than insightful, fact-based debates. Talk radio is one of the worst offenders. (Sean Hannity reminds me of Jerry Springer in his venomous assaults on all liberals, and the amount of time he eats up doing so is unfortunate.) Sadly, liberal pundits, who are less prevalent in this genre, are useless against the conservative extremes because they are directionless and cannot defend their ideology except to distort the truth at a ridiculously sophomoric level. (For example: Republicans only care about the rich.) For both parties, the unifying force is not conviction of ideals and purpose but debasement of the opposition. Not only has it become monumentally embarrassing; it is a colossal waste of time and money ... or is it?
What this ultimately means is that voters are going to the polls less and less informed, while somehow believing they are adequately educated on the issues and candidates. For an exercise, watch a few of these programs and/or listen to talk radio for the next several weeks and write down what you hear when an issue is brought up. Did you hear a cogent argument for or against it, and did you hear an opposing view of equal merit? Did you learn anything that persuaded you in one direction or another; if so, what was it? How did you feel during the program-what was your emotional status? You might be surprised by your answers.
Hopefully, voters will shake off the lethargy that plagues elections in time to avoid the typical manipulations by the two parties and learn relevant information about those seeking the most powerful seats in the world.
