Over the past several weeks, I’ve watched with increasing dismay as the Presidential election has tumbled into the gutter. It’s hard not to condemn my preferred candidate’s opponent, whose behavior frankly appalls me. But I can’t get too sanctimonious – supporters of the other candidate are just as offended by my favorite as I am by theirs. If I criticize their anger and self-righteousness, how can I justify my own?
It’s also easy to blame the press for whipping the American public up into a seething frenzy. But they’re just reporting the stories that present themselves. Yes, most media outlets have a decided political slant, but there are plenty of them out there. If a voter doesn’t like the way the news is reported on one channel, they need only flip to another.
Politics have been a contact sport in America for decades, if not since the country’s birth. This time feels different to me, though, and I’m not alone. The American Psychological Association recently reported that the 2016 Presidential election is a “source of significant stress” for 52% of adults. That’s right – over half of us are seriously stressed out about the election, and we still have almost two weeks to go.
This election is especially important, with many challenges facing our nation and the future of the Supreme Court hanging in the balance. Our electorate is seriously divided, not only by party affiliation but by race, gender, age, social class, education level, ethnicity, and a slew of other characteristics. I get it. But we can’t afford to allow those divisions to bring us to the point where all we can do is spit venom at one another.
The candidates are supposed to compete for the Oval Office. The press is supposed to report on the campaigns. It’s up to the voters not only to choose the next President, but to ensure that we all behave civilly enough that we’re still on speaking terms come November 9th. We have to take a collective breath and calm down. If we allow our disagreements destroy our mutual respect, no matter who wins the election, the nation will lose.
