Since 2015, our country has become more divided. Friends, families, and neighbors often find themselves avoiding conversations about politics. What used to be a minor concern for many Americans – especially younger ones – now takes over daily life. The actions of elected and non-elected officials at every level of government are always in the spotlight.
As someone who’s been interested in politics since kindergarten and is currently working towards a master’s degree in public policy, it’s disheartening to witness so much anger, arrogance, ignorance, and incompetence within our political landscape. What’s particularly worrying is how many people back candidates primarily based on their words, without grasping the real policy implications behind those statements.
This issue can be seen across the political spectrum.
Take Democrats as an example: ideas like universal healthcare, free college education, and raising the minimum wage sound appealing on paper but are far more complex when put into action. Even with Democrats holding both Congress and the presidency, unity on how to implement these ideas is rare.
Many may agree with these policies at face value but prefer gradual changes instead. For instance, some reject completely removing private healthcare options – including union-negotiated plans – opting instead for a public option.
The reality of politics also makes sweeping changes tough – Democrats might need 60 Senate votes for significant reforms, which feels nearly impossible today. Attempts to change or eliminate the filibuster have also caused division within the party.
Consequently, numerous Americans – especially younger individuals – feel let down by Democrats’ failure to fulfill promises. This isn’t always because they lack the desire to address issues; rather it’s that political hurdles make big changes challenging. This frustration can lead to even more anger and disappointment.
Republicans encounter similar obstacles. Donald Trump’s commitment to constructing a massive border wall along 2,000 miles of the U. S.-Mexico border turned out to be far trickier than his campaign rhetoric suggested.
Beyond its enormous cost and lengthy timeline, practical challenges arose too – changing rivers, private property issues, harsh desert environments and the fact that traffickers and migrants already evade walls via tunnels or other routes. Even if finished, the wall alone wouldn’t tackle deeper immigration or border security concerns.
A further complication is seen in efforts aimed at cracking down on undocumented immigrants across urban areas as well as rural communities.
While many Americans concur that undocumented immigrants who commit serious crimes should face consequences such as deportation, this creates a tricky balance between two fundamental American values – civil liberties versus law enforcement priorities. In certain cases reported by critics, federal immigration agents have operated without clear identification which raises questions about government overreach and accountability.
Things become even murkier when local police forces are expected to act as immigration enforcers despite immigration being mainly under federal jurisdiction. This blurs lines of authority while increasing federal control over state and local agencies. It also poses risks where armed agents might be mistaken for criminals leading citizens to react defensively only to face legal repercussions later on.
Critics warn that aggressive enforcement strategies can pave the way for profiling based on race or ethnicity among other factors like language or religion. In some documented incidents involving arrests related to immigration laws occurred near places of worship or community gatherings- igniting worries about bias against certain groups that would spark outrage if similar tactics were applied elsewhere.
Additonally debates have arisen concerning federal funds allocated toward migrant shelter programs managed through FEMA. Although these initiatives come from separate congressional appropriations rather than disaster relief funding itself- critics believe this setup leads to misunderstandings regarding how emergency resources should be distributed.
Ultimately American politics isn’t merely defined by two opposing factions; it’s a complicated network filled with checks-and-balances alongside bureaucratic red tape competing interests at play here too! Politicians increasingly lean into dramatic language- promising easy solutions to tough dilemmas leaving voters dissatisfied not only with opposing sides but frequently frustrated by their own representatives! The outcome? A hostile political atmosphere shaped further still by special interest groups along with major campaign contributors!
Instead of pushing society forward effective communication often leaves people feeling trapped right in between conflicting narratives!
Isiah Sageman is pursuing a Master’s in Public Policy with a focus on agriculture rural development national security elections sports policy He has served as a Michigan election inspector during the 2024 election previously worked as congressional intern Washington D. C., plus gained experience within Michigan Legislature Lansing. The views expressed here represent solely his perspective distinct from those held by The State News
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