political discourse – The Other 98 Cents

Yesterday, the Rapid City Police Department released crime and activity data within Rapid City’s jurisdiction. They were happy to report that 2024 is consistent with a recent downward trend in crime.

Surprisingly, the RCPD received negative feedback from social media users, some of whom expressed disbelief, with some even accusing the department of lying about the crime trends.

But is it surprising? Unfortunately not.

I have yet to find anyone who claims 2020 was the country’s best year on record; conversely, many claim it was the worst. There’s no doubt about it—2020 brought many challenges, but perhaps none as significant as those related to distrust of government and, more accurately, wholesale cynicism.

Part of me understands why people might have a hard time believing that crime can be down. During a simpler time, prior to every family having internet access, there was limited space for news coverage—a limited number of pages in the newspaper and a limited number of stories that could run in a half-hour news program.

Today, the capacity for news (and I use that term lightly) to reach your TV, computer or handheld device is virtually limitless. You have the opportunity to consume more news today than ever before. Much of this news is negative in nature: such as crime in the city or political division. This not necessarily good for you.

Based on 2020 and the few years following, many perceive that the world is well on its way to “Hell in a handbasket.” When data, such as that released by the RCPD, conflicts with the cynic’s perception, they may choose perception over reality. I believe this is a psychological misstep and the fuel that feeds rumors and conspiracy theories.

Keep this in mind: your perception is filtered through your many biases. Reality—in this case, data from reliable sources—has no filters and is presented to you as a matter of fact. Not everyone is not lying to you.

Believe it or not, crime is trending downward. People in Rapid City are blessed with highly professional law enforcement agencies, including the Rapid City Police Department, the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office, as well as other state and federal agencies.

If you want to learn more about crime in your city, perhaps you could become a part of the solution. There are always job openings within law enforcement organizations, and I know from experience they would welcome your interest and application. At the very least, consider enrolling in the RCPD’s Citizens Police Academy. There, you will get an in-depth look at the problems they face, behind-the-scenes operations and many other interesting aspects of the law enforcement profession.

Until then, the men and women who are giving the best years of their lives to protect you and your loved ones deserve your support.

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.

Tag: political discourse

Political Parties are not our Friend.