The charts (with the exception of #5) point to our deep, and often irrational, differences. And since we have a Constitutional government based on the need to find consensus, it is not hard to see why so little is being accomplished. Unless "We the People" start cutting our neighbors and family some slack, our Republic will cease to function - and then who knows what it is we end up with. One thing is for sure - it won't be better.
I think that you are "right on the mark " today. With family and friends spanning both sides of the political aisle, with a good distribution populating the extremes, I am witness to this on an ongoing basis. Reading a wide range of news sources, I am daily amazed with the "spin" that is put on stories, sometimes simply by omitting a pertinent fact. I have also seen "reputable" international news reporting a major incident — that never happened, and a top 3 nightly news broadcast having 3 major factual errors in a story that I was well versed in-- with nary a correction going forward. You can't believe everything you hear. On the first day of medical school, the dean of the school gave the lecture right before lunch, informing us that half of everything we were going to be taught in the next 4 years was — wrong. He was right. Of all the standard treatments for a "heart attack " being taught then, one, and only one, is still the standard treatment.
Going forward, I like to remember the words of Howard Baker Sr., a U.S. Congressman and a staunch advocate of bipartisanship-- "Always remember the other fellow might be right", emphasizing listening, empathizing, and seeking a common ground.
As we are a land of fresh start immigrants from everywhere and do not share a common race - our civilization depends on a common creed. Not just the mechanics of a Bill of Rights. But a code we share that determines what we agree on. What we stand for. What we fight for. Values. It can’t just be “we stand for everyone’s freedom to pursue their own happiness”. Because we end up fighting over social things. Who do we elevate? Who do we diminish? What do we tax? Where do we send the money?
When Christianity collapsed as a shared moral basis, we began ripping down the seam. We no longer share a moral code and we can’t unify around a shared creed. That is the only gluten in our national bread. The old religion vs new religion schism is real, profound, and the fault line of all things.
The PEW analysis of media left me somewhat perplexed, how can the poor Republicans all have only Fox while the lucky Democrats have a so many. Hmmm? Perhaps they weren't looking in the right place?
After a very little digging, I ran across an interesting piece of research from NorthEastern "THE CIVIC HEALTH AND INSTITUTIONS PROJECT: A 50-STATE SURVEY REPORT #113: 2024 US ELECTIONS: SOURCES OF NEWS AND INFORMATION".
Have a look at Figure 8 - no one, not democrats or republicans trust the media. 75% chose other across all demographics. The fact that PEW still thinks traditional media is something worth looking at is a fundamental error.
The charts (with the exception of #5) point to our deep, and often irrational, differences. And since we have a Constitutional government based on the need to find consensus, it is not hard to see why so little is being accomplished. Unless "We the People" start cutting our neighbors and family some slack, our Republic will cease to function - and then who knows what it is we end up with. One thing is for sure - it won't be better.
Greetings:
I think that you are "right on the mark " today. With family and friends spanning both sides of the political aisle, with a good distribution populating the extremes, I am witness to this on an ongoing basis. Reading a wide range of news sources, I am daily amazed with the "spin" that is put on stories, sometimes simply by omitting a pertinent fact. I have also seen "reputable" international news reporting a major incident — that never happened, and a top 3 nightly news broadcast having 3 major factual errors in a story that I was well versed in-- with nary a correction going forward. You can't believe everything you hear. On the first day of medical school, the dean of the school gave the lecture right before lunch, informing us that half of everything we were going to be taught in the next 4 years was — wrong. He was right. Of all the standard treatments for a "heart attack " being taught then, one, and only one, is still the standard treatment.
Going forward, I like to remember the words of Howard Baker Sr., a U.S. Congressman and a staunch advocate of bipartisanship-- "Always remember the other fellow might be right", emphasizing listening, empathizing, and seeking a common ground.
So much truth here. Signed, a constitutional conservative who starts his morning reading the New York Times.
Finally got to Bill's presentation. Thanks for that. Excellent 👍
Excellent graphics- intriguing that more Ds than Rs read the WSJ! Thank you for the time you put into this Substack!
More interesting- the WHY.
As we are a land of fresh start immigrants from everywhere and do not share a common race - our civilization depends on a common creed. Not just the mechanics of a Bill of Rights. But a code we share that determines what we agree on. What we stand for. What we fight for. Values. It can’t just be “we stand for everyone’s freedom to pursue their own happiness”. Because we end up fighting over social things. Who do we elevate? Who do we diminish? What do we tax? Where do we send the money?
When Christianity collapsed as a shared moral basis, we began ripping down the seam. We no longer share a moral code and we can’t unify around a shared creed. That is the only gluten in our national bread. The old religion vs new religion schism is real, profound, and the fault line of all things.
Very smart and true
The PEW analysis of media left me somewhat perplexed, how can the poor Republicans all have only Fox while the lucky Democrats have a so many. Hmmm? Perhaps they weren't looking in the right place?
After a very little digging, I ran across an interesting piece of research from NorthEastern "THE CIVIC HEALTH AND INSTITUTIONS PROJECT: A 50-STATE SURVEY REPORT #113: 2024 US ELECTIONS: SOURCES OF NEWS AND INFORMATION".
Have a look at Figure 8 - no one, not democrats or republicans trust the media. 75% chose other across all demographics. The fact that PEW still thinks traditional media is something worth looking at is a fundamental error.