Compromise

It seems like the understanding individuals have for the basic nature of politics has continued to degrade over the years. I personally think that the two party system might have been a bad move, as it puts everyone on one of two teams (for the most part) and pits them against each other. Democrats and Republicans view themselves as so opposite that they could never possibly agree. It is going to be their way or the highway. This is in no way a reasonable or realistic view.

The key to any relationship, with friends, significant others, family, or ANYONE, is compromise. Two people are never going to agree on every single decision on idea. Imagine if everybody behaved how they did with politics, but with EVERY disagreement or discontentment in their lives!

"Do you want to go to Taco Bell, or Pizza Hut?"
"Pizza Hut."
"Well **** you I want Taco Bell! You're an idiot for liking Pizza Hut."
"Pizza Hut is ten times better than Taco Bell!"
"Well obviously you are racist against tacos."

If we were as belligerently hateful toward anyone who disagreed with us as many are to those who disagree on politics, the world would be a terrifyingly violent and lonely place. We are all unique individuals, and built into that is the simple fact that we will often disagree. Our views are not what matter the most, or even that we stand by them. Most important is how we treat those we share those views with, whether they agree or not.

An intelligent person needs to always be aware of one thing. THEY COULD BE WRONG. No matter how fervent your belief, how strong your certainty, there is someone out there who believes just as strongly in the exactly opposite view. Of course, THEY are the ones who are wrong though...right? No rational person can claim that they are correct and all others wrong. To claim to be rational, you must first accept that you could also be incorrect, no matter how strongly you believe otherwise.

Since you might be wrong, the current political practice of throwing tantrums until we get our way is not something to be taken lightly. Instead of debating, intelligently stating our points and persuading the other side, we now riot and burn down buildings. It is our way or the highway! Well you know what that inspires? You have now taken away the possibility of compromise from the other side. If it is your way or the highway, then either they have to completely let go of their beliefs in favor of yours, or simply brush you aside. Can you blame them for choosing the latter? You just did the same after all.

This is why extremist movements, such as the Ballot or the Bullet, aren't the movements that succeed. If people are already afraid of this social change, violent threats won't mitigate that fear. It will simply make them more sure that this is a bad idea, that the people you speak for are indeed violent, and that their biased views are even more correct. The way to change there minds is to defy that view, to take their view of your group as violent and lesser, and show them that you are equal and civilized. It is far harder to call a group lesser or violent when they are peacefully stating their views and allowing the police to take them away than when they are running rampant and lighting things on fire.

These are the kind of lessons that people seem to have forgotten.

Even with just two people, like in a marriage, you need to compromise. If you don't, if you just belligerently demand to have things your way, the marriage hopefully won't last long. How can anyone expect for a nation of millions to allow such behavior when a two person group cannot function this way? It cannot. Diversity is strength, as no matter what situation arises, there will be people able to deal with it. But diversity also takes effort, and is a challenge.