The most pressing issues separating our country are being put into terms of left and right, creating an arrogant partisan divide.
For many decades, a varying display of policy changes have affected basic human rights. For example, abortion, climate change, immigration, gun control and gay rights are all issues that lean towards the radical left or right when they belong on all sides of politics.
Each side of the political spectrum should want to freely discuss these issues. Abortion is a right of choice and has nothing to do with a certain political affiliation. Senior Bell Luebken strongly believes that the political spectrum sees too many arguments because of abortion.
“The fight between pro-life and pro-choice has become an issue that has really divided our country,” she said. “If people could look past their religious views and see that the issue is about women having control over their bodies, then they would see the issue doesn’t need to be in the political scene.”
It may seem like there has been no progress made on the most demanding problems this generation is facing. Because each political party believes in radical reform that the opposite party refuses to enact. An issue of human rights does not belong on only one side.
Something as simple as the right to same-sex marriage and transgender rights are always liberal when these individuals deserve acceptance from both sides. A human right is not a political strategy.
Senior Peggy Klingler believes that being gay should not cause political division. “Whether someone is a democrat or a republican, everyone deserves to be who they are and love whoever they want,” she said.
Another issue, climate change has been scientifically proven time and time again, but somehow lands only on the left side. When thinking about the destruction of the planet, it affects everyone. Senior Kate Stewart thinks that climate change should be addressed on both sides of the political spectrum.
“At this time climate change is a proven fact and because of that, a difference in political affiliation should not affect the action taken to combat climate change,” she said. “By having a divide politically, it just prolongs any progress that could be made towards fixing the damage.”
Political polarization only creates arguments and gridlocks, the opposite of what is needed. If two sides can come together for the development of this country’s freedom, politics will no longer be a race for power.
