Perception is reality

     Political Ideology, partisanship, and lack of objectivity, these are all contributing factors in the divide that exists in America and across the globe.  Why are these things destroying the very fabric of civilization?  Let’s take a look at a couple of things that support this theory and its potential effects on society.  People don’t like to admit it, but we are politically ideological creatures.  Most people will say, “I hate politics”, when in reality it is part of our DNA.  What happens in the political arena, can be detrimental, or beneficial to our lives, and while almost half of the country chooses not to cast a ballot come election time, Washington DC effects 100% of the US population.  If someone chooses to forfeit this right to have their voice heard, that does not exempt them from the consequences that result from the outcome of an election.
   
    Partisan bickering and hateful, non-objective ideology, has put us in a tough spot.  Most people cannot form an objective opinion on a subject, which is not heavily influenced by their world view or ideological biases.  Even when they are given objective data that shoots holes through some of their personal beliefs, they are still reluctant to start questioning closely held opinions or beliefs, and they ignore the opportunity that presents itself in these situations, the opportunity to strengthen your feelings on the subject as you are forced to explain your side of the argument to someone that disagrees with you.  We only learn when we surround ourselves with those that think differently than we do.  If you always converse with people that resemble your ideological equal, then your mind will never be challenged, and your arguments become weak because there is no contrast with an opposing point of view.  You cannot have light without darkness, nor can you have darkness without light. This Yin/Yang principle is crucial in understanding contrast, balance, and how these things relate to the freedom of expression that is outlined in the 1st amendment of the US Constitution.
    
    In some cases, it goes beyond ideology and focuses on an influential person that appears to wield a great deal of power.  This allows people to change their feelings on an issue, in order to align with someone that meets this criteria. This illusion of power, causes some people to avoid developing their own set of principles, therefor limiting their ability to stand up and fight.  In these cases, you have no genuine position on anything, you only seek to be in lock step with the person that you adore.  This person could be a Hollywood celebrity, or a politician that you are looking to vote for.  Someone that you will follow right off of a cliff.  This is why objectivism in politics is so important.  
    
    A great example of this exists in the recent firing of Jim Comey, the now former Director of the FBI.  Congresswoman Maxine Waters, admitted to the fact that she would have been in full support of Comey’s firing if Hillary Clinton would have done it as President, but she is adamantly against it because it was carried out by President Donald Trump.  She is basically saying that she has no position on the matter, and that it only matters as to who pulls the trigger.  As the old saying goes, perception is reality.   We the people cannot accept this as the new norm, and if we choose to do so as a society, then we acknowledge that there is no absolute reality or truth, only individuals perceiving reality in whatever way they choose.  This is the societal dynamic that allows the media get away with the falsehoods, and blatant lies that they regurgitate every day of the week.  It also encourages those that wish to warp reality, in the name of equality or by manufacturing a state of victimhood for a specific group or movement that is co-opted, and turned into a political movement, as the useful idiots hand power over to their new best friend and partner in crime, whoever that may be.
    
    This is why our country is divided, and as Abraham Lincoln once said while quoting the Bible, “A house divided against itself cannot stand”.  We are spending more time fighting each other, than we are on solving the problems that we face on a daily basis.  We are wasting our time on accusations of racism, bigotry, narcissism, selfishness, hate, the list goes on.  It is a disgrace to witness what this country has become, we have went from tolerance, to blatant hate and intolerance while those who are showing the lack of tolerance, invoke the Constitution as their inspiration for equality.  We need to have a sharp change of direction in America or we are toast.  Tolerance is key, especially in cases where someone does not agree with us.  We have to be happy with agreeing to disagree, rather than demonizing each other for not being the same.

​