There are four reasons why I believe our country continues to struggle to find solid footing.

1. When an outdated way of thinking is becoming extinct, there is a wild grasping to maintain the status quo. This, I think, is the natural way of people. When change is too far out of one’s world view, it can cause panic, fear and anger which lead to wanting strong controls.
2. We are human beings with flaws. In the past few decades, Americans have become weary, hopeless and frozen to find a way to make politicians do their jobs. Gridlock made much of the country apathetic and unable to even talk about politics. Social convention ruled that polite conversation did not include religion, sex or politics. It came to be that people couldn’t talk about opposing political views without becoming enraged and abusive so conversation stopped.
3. Some of our suffering comes from people who are misguided and drunk with power. There is a profound immoral and malevolent aspect to humanity. It’s hard to accept this happens. When we ignore this aspect of our world, it can gain traction and pop up seemingly without warning. It’s time to take the blinders off and take a good look at who is wielding power and what they gain from that power. Also consider, who are the powerless and how are they being ignored?
4. Each side claims to have the higher ground. Right would say they follow a morality of loyalty to country and military, ability to carry weapons, care for the unborn and getting government out of our lives. Left would say their morality is to care for the planet, disenfranchised people, public education and protection of the little guy from the 99%. If you look closely you’ll find those items are not owned by right or left. All humans care about all of those issues. It’s how you go about solving these issues where we find differences.

Change comes when we help ourselves. We cannot rely on politicians to do the work we need to do. Much of our divisiveness comes from what we hear in the media and our politicians. Power can only be maintained if there is anger and hatred for one another because then we remain closed. The way out of this mess is to band together as a people and demand our politicians follow our lead. Here’s how to do that.

1. Open your mind to the “other side”. Where is there a point you agree with even if just a small sliver? What main issues do you agree need to be addressed?
2. We have the freedom to decide for ourselves how we want to interact in this world. Be aware of how you might be judgmental, biased or close minded. Are you passing on degrading or sensational memes and articles? Or are you ignoring what’s going on hoping it will all just go away? How can you be part of the solution?
3. Be aware of how you might follow party lines without question. Do you challenge your leaders when you don’t agree? It’s unlikely you will agree 100%. It’s time to allow for disagreeing with your own party and agreeing with the other party. We need to become more willing to cede points and negotiate to find collaboration.
4. I see some of my friends saying they won’t even look at what the ‘other’ has to say as they get too infuriated. This usually has to do with where ones facts come from and arguing about what is true. We need a way to break out of the idea that only your sources have the facts. In the meantime, let go of how they are saying what they want, to what they are saying that they want. For example, we all want safety from terrorists and an excellent vetting program. What ways can agreement be found that both of you can get behind?
5. Use a marketplace of reputable news sources, consider where the information is coming from using logic. Think deeply about conspiracy theories by either side promoted by a narrow set of sources. These are generally opinion and are often used to create panic so power can be asserted over the fearful.
6. Reach out to one another. Only “We” can fix our problems. What do you have in common with the guy who voted opposite of you? Where do you and your coworker agree? How can you and Aunt Bea talk peaceably about solutions?
7. If you become angry, stop and walk away. The anger is yours to figure out. Only talk to people when you can stay calm, open and listening.
8. Encourage creativity, new ideas and ways of thinking. We haven’t thought it all up yet. We don’t have absolute answers to every problem. The world is a growing, changing place. That cannot be stopped. We need to be adapting every day.