Mollee Ryan
Freshman Music Therapy Major, Opinion Editor
Reflect on your morning. You probably grudgingly rolled out of bed and made a cup of coffee. And while sipping on your coffee, you either scrolled around on Twitter and Instagram or turned on a news station on your television or radio.
Now, think about what you saw and heard. You probably saw some news about local happenings and maybe a story or two on an international issue.
And you were probably informed of issues concerning the two main parties, the Republicans and the Democrats. There probably was not a lot of good news, and there was probably a lot of hostility and heartbreak.
In the mornings, we often see two sides to the news. We see the public, civilian side to issues, but we also see the more private things that politicians deal with behind closed doors.
And if you take notice, professional politicians from each party can usually hold a respectful, yet strong debate about each of their opposing views and how they could maybe make a compromise for the betterment of our country.
At least, before the 2016 presidential election took place, it seemed like politicians were able to civilize themselves.
Obviously, the past two years with Donald Trump as president haven’t gone so smooth, and as a matter of fact, have caused a great divide and political dispute in our beloved country. No issues are getting resolved, and things have been on their way to a steady decline. It seems like the government is desperately spinning its wheels, trying to get some sort of structure or system going, but nothing can happen.
But why?
There is a lot going on politically, but there simply is no need for all of the hostility to take place between the two parties.
I think at this point, I should probably make some things clear: In no way, shape or form, am I a racist, a homophobic, a white supremacist or an enemy of women’s rights. As a matter of fact, I am an advocator for many of those issues, and I think that they should be promoted, as they are. However, I do primarily identify myself with the Republican party.
I was afraid to write this article. I was afraid of the backlash that I could receive or the negative perception my classmates and friends would have of me because of my “confession.” But there are things that need to be said, and as a journalist and the Opinion Editor for the Cauldron, I think it is my duty to write about these issues.
As stated above, since the minute it was announced Trump, a Republican candidate, won the 2016 election, great hostility and controversy set in throughout the whole entire country. Many were heartbroken. Many thought that event marked the end of the world. It was a very gray area in the history our country.
Trump has always been a successful man. After graduating with an economics degree at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1968, he was appointed the president of his family’s real estate business in 1971 and renamed it The Trump Organization, expanding it from the heart of Queens and Brooklyn, New York to the amazing Manhattan.
The company went on to build and renovate skyscrapers, hotels, casinos and even golf courses. With this success, Trump later licensed his name for real estate and consumer products. He has also co-authored several books, including The Art of The Deal.
Additionally, he owned the Miss Universe and Miss USA beauty pageants all the way from 1996 to 2015, and even hosted his own reality show called The Apprentice that ran from 2003 to 2015. The Forbes magazine measure his net worth to be $3.1 billion.
When Trump announced that he would run for the 2016 presidential election, many thought it was a joke. And even if he did run, many were sure he wouldn’t even make it so far to be one of the two main candidates.
So, when it actually happened, many were absolutely appalled and obviously upset. However, despite Trump’s wealth and success, he has had a number of issues taint his reputation.
Trump has had his fair share of declaring “fake news,” receiving accusations of sexual assaults and handing out insensitive comments. According to The New York Times, Trump uttered, “at least one false or misleading claim per day on 91 of his first 99 days.” Deemed as a spit-fire, Trump has also made himself very present on social media, primarily Twitter, where he has publically gone on tangents about big government or international issues.
I do not agree with everything that Trump has done in his time as president, and as a matter of fact, I think that there are many things that should be done a lot better. I think with his campaign and declaration of being such a strong nationalist and being devoted to the betterment of this country, he has a lot to improve.
However, despite his issues and mistakes, I think the hostility that has been occurring between the two parties because of his presidency is absolutely ludicrous.
We cannot force another person to think exactly the same way we do, and no matter what party we affiliate with, we should all be able to look at the other side of issues and be able to civilly debate about each other’s views.
Everyday, people are dying because of the violence that breaks out over our political views; isn’t that sad? Regardless of whether we are Democrats or Republicans, respect needs to be given to all people — that’s what the Constitution is in place to assure. And right now, that just isn’t happening.
I’ve seen people publically torn apart from either party just because of one thing that they said. Why are we so close-minded? Why can’t we give everyone a chance to say what they want to say?
In early October, popular musician Kanye West announced that he would be visiting Trump at the White House. West has always been a very influential character in the rap world, setting an example for many upcoming rappers today. Fans adored West, that was, until his most recent political confession; he was in support of Trump. Many asked the question,”How could he be in support of Trump, especially as a man of color?”
“We don’t just make our decisions based off of racism. I’ma break it down to you right now: If someone inspires me and I connect with them, I don’t have to believe in all their policies.” Kanye West told People Magazine.
So, just because Kanye West is in support of some of Trump’s policies, he is suddenly a terrible person? We’re going to be so quick to jump to conclusions and tear apart this man’s career because of his political beliefs?
Another example of aggression between the parties includes the most recent mailing of bombs to various Democratic leaders. George Sayoc, a 56 year old white male was arrested Friday afternoon, Oct. 26, after he sent 14 pipe bombs through the mail to prominent Democrats throughout the country. Some of his victims include major Democratic donor Tom Steyer, billionaire activist George Soros, and even former president Barack Obama.
Sayoc was arrested near his vehicle, which was a white van plastered with inappropriate political declarations regarding Trump.
Contrary to popular belief, this type of hate between the parties does not only happen from one party to the other, it happens to both just as equally. And it simply is not okay. No matter who you are it will never be okay to put somebody’s life in danger over a political dispute.
In conclusion, nobody from the two main parties has any ounce of respect for each other anymore, and that is what is causing this great divide in our country. If we don’t agree with something with each other, why shouldn’t we be able to have a conversation about it? And if we don’t agree, then why can’t we agree to disagree?
If either party wants things to improve, it’s time for the hostility to stop. It’s time to start working together to think of the betterment of our country rather than what is better for us as individuals.
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