Political Parties are not our Friend.

To avoid arguing, don’t discuss religion or politics. This age-old advice has probably never been more accurate but at the same time, never been more ignored.

Political discussions have become toxic, maybe more so since 2016, and especially since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Even in South Dakota, which only has three electoral votes, and will likely never be a determining factor of a presidential election, we argue at the expense of community, friendships, and family relationships. It makes even less sense in our area of the state, which is nearly all Republican, that we argue and fight over partisan politics, like never before.

The difference between this era and past eras of political debate? Today it’s more personal.

Friendships and even families have been fractured by differences in political viewpoints. Members of one political party are labeled as evil or otherwise defective by the other party. Members are grouped together and associated with the most radical element of their party.  Guilt by association.

25% of South Dakota voters have chosen to register as “independent” or have chosen to not designate a political party.  This percentage of non-party voters is growing. The reason for this, in large part is based on their unwillingness to affiliate with one party or the other on ethical or moral grounds. And who could blame them?

The political parties have been working diligently to prove to all of us that they are not our friend. There was a reason George Washington warned against partisan division, and resulting elections. It does not unite, but rather divides along social, as well as political lines.

We are just over two months until the presidential election. As a lifelong Republican, I am watching as the Republican party does their best to put another Democrat in the White House for four more years. The political parties, led by their most extreme factions, have lost touch of the best interests of America.

Political party support is now being framed as a quest for a ruling class, rather than a group of people who share political ideologies and preferences. Both parties are guilty of this. And we are all guilty for allowing it to happen.

Next up: How to help change this.