One of the things I truly enjoy about Canada is how we treat the political views of others. Reguardless of which side of the political fence you’re on, discussions on the matter tend to be civil. It’s only really in naive university settings where you tend to see blind adhesion to a political leaning. And even then, its limited. As a consequence, you can have meaningful discussions. The respect we have means that on a Parliamentary level, that we’re able to move ahead in a way that balances the views of all Canadians.
It is discourse based on issues. Which is why its always shocking for me when I see American political attack books at Chapter’s. The likes of “Treason: Liberal Treachery,” or “How to Talk to a Liberal, If you Must.” Books like these aren’t about societal progress, they are not about attacking issues, but about discrediting a whole political spectrum. By doing so, you’re getting rid of the meat of politics – issues and discussion. Instead, what you’re left with, is its shell. The shell is brainless attacks back and forth. The PR part of politics.
What’s particularly dangerous about this movement is that its undermining the ability to conduct political discussion, the ability to compromise, and therefore the ability for democracy to function. Because that’s what democracy is: listening to all citizens, of all viewpoints, to move the country ahead.
You don’t see this radicalism just with books. I get FOX News, which thankfully is one of those far reaching channels that no one ever gets to. That channel is nothing more than an espousement of intolerance for political diversity. The CNN that Americans get inside their country is not much better. What’s amusing is that if you look at CNN International, you don’t see that. They’re pretty much like BBC World News. It’s as if this kind of radicalism is targeted to the American audience, because they want it.
So it is little surprise then that the lack of understanding that such radicalism pushes forth seeds hate. And with that, I’d like you to check out this link.