Political Divide: Why Can't We Just Get Along?

This political season has ignited a burning animosity that threatens to irreparably scorch the nation. Voters are angry, frightened, shocked and depressed.  Partisanship among both Democrats and Republicans has made it nearly impossible for the next president to heal the divisions.

The divide is so bitter that some are calling it the most negative inflection point in nearly a quarter of a century of American politics. Whatever your political affiliation, the fact is you most likely are of the mind that the opposing party is vulgar, immoral, hateful and imbecilic.

These are not generalities.  The opinions have been culled from the latest Pew Research poll on U.S. Politics and Policy taken in June.  The research exposes the ugly side of American politics where neighbors and friends are reticent to discuss the election out of angst and loathing.

"...Today, sizable shares of both Democrats and Republicans say the other party stirs feelings of not just frustration, but fear and anger," Pew researchers noted in the summary of the nationwide survey. Both Republicans and Democrats say the opposition party makes them "afraid."

Negative voter opinions of political parties are not a new phenomena. What makes this year different is the harsh language party voters use in their descriptions of fellow Americans who view the world differently than they do.

Majorities of voters in both parties told researchers it is "stressful and frustrating" to have conversations about their differences.  As a result, neighbor is turning against neighbor.  Four in ten Republicans and Democrats say it would be easier to get along with a neighbor from the same party.

A closer examination of the data helps explain the antagonism. Republicans view Democrats as lazier than most Americans and generally immoral.  On the other hand, Democrats think of Republicans as close minded and dishonest.

These partisan stereotypes appear to be ingrained in members of the two parties.  However, this does not mean there are not genuine differences on policy.

Among Republicans, about 68 percent claim the Democratic Party's policies are harmful to the country.  Not surprisingly, 62 percent of Democrats feel the same way about Republican programs. Majorities on both sides contend their party's plans are the main attraction for their affiliation.

But nearly as many Republicans and Democrats also make their choice of party association because of their disdain for policies of the opposition. In other words, their party identity hinges more on their impressions of the other party than it does of their own party.  

The good news is that Pew's survey found that most Republicans and Democrats want compromise. The bad news: only on their terms.  That helps explain why politicians are not the only ones to blame when issues are not resolved in Washington.  The voters shoulder equal responsibility.

How do we break down the barriers of political partisanship?

One way is to have a friendship with someone from the other party. Researchers discovered that having a friend from the opposition party tended to soften a person's image of the competition. Associating with only your "kind" hardens your views against those who belong to the other party.

It also is more difficult to dehumanize a Republican or Democrat if you actually are friends with one.

Perhaps, it may be time to dissolve both political parties.  Party affiliation carries with it certain expectations of beliefs and opinions that places limits on Americans' ability to objectively view issues. That makes it almost impossible to agree on even the most basic concepts.

Party labels are dividing America.  The country needs unity more than it does political associations. In the name of harmony, there should be only one party with a myriad of factions, views and candidates.  Call it the American Party.

That's something we should all be able to agree upon.