New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg wearing a purple tie to support political compromise.
As a political scientist, I have constantly been asked what party I am affiliated with. I have always offered the same answer; None, I am an independent thinker and a pragmatist. I don't decide the answers to complex questions by looking through red or bluetinted lenses, instead I prefer an unbiased and unobstructed view by looking at issues through clear lenses. I have yet to meet many others that share my philosophy, which is why I was greatly surprised when I turned C-SPAN on before I went to sleep last night and learned of a movement supporting my philosophy. The link to the forum I watched can be found at http://www.c-spanvideo.org/videoLibrary/event.php?id=188586
Hyper-partisanship is an example of how people can allow political philosophies of a particular party to become a representation of their identity. This is dangerous, because individuals believe their identity is being attacked when arguments are made which are inconsistent with the basic principals of their party's political ideologies. They respond by viciously attacking the political ideologies of their opponents which leads to further attack upon the identities of the opposition. It is a cycle which promotes hatred, resentment and untrue myths of those that represent both parties.
By not allowing party affiliation to define us or help form our identity we promote individualism and the notion of critical thinking. Let's not go Left, or Right, but Forward.
Challenge yourself to watch and listen to commentary offered by opposing news anchors, authors, radio personalities, and the like. I suppose you will see that commonalities exist between you and your opposing party, as well as expose ideological conflicts between you and your party. This may lead you to realize that siding exclusively with one party can be self-defeating.
