Have you ever noticed in an election year, that there are no “grey areas” only black and white?
Normally, people speak about issues using nuances. They try to see both sides of the issue. We are taught empathy by our folks. We must put ourselves in their shoes. Try to imagine what they are feeling and how they will be affected by the outcome.
But in an election year, things are different. The examples of this are everywhere.
Let’s take, for example, oh, the meaning of capitalism. You want to buy a new TV. Right down the street is a mom and pop store (yes, they still exist in this example) where you can buy the one you want for $2500. Down the block at Wally’s House of Electronics’, is the same TV for $1750. No brainer right? You head down the street and buy the one at Wally’s. That’s the way it works, right?
But, looking at things in the “grey areas”, with factors that having nothing to do with the actual cost, you have reasons to buy the more expensive one. Wally’s is being taken to court by its employee’s. It seems they hire illegal’s, so they can keep the store costs down. You know full well they can afford to pay an American a living wage, but they chose to pay illegal’s $3.00 less an hour, have them work overtime for free and not give them healthcare. Plus, you know that the Mom and Pop’s store has great customer service and that they need this sale to pay their overhead this month. Mom was your gym teacher in High School and you know the whole family. And let’s not even get into the issue that the cheaper TV is from Japan and the one at the Mom and Pop’s is made in Detroit.
Does any of this matter, when you just want the cheapest TV possible? Should it? Where does your responsibility begin and end?
There are grey area’s in every issue. But, in an election year, not so much. Suddenly there is only my way and your way. You are an idiot for not agreeing with me. There is only the right way, or the wrong way. And THEY do it wrong. THEY are the devil. If THEY win, the vote was rigged. I’m moving to Canada. The world is ruined.
Neither candidate really says anything that much different from the other one. In reality they see things in the grey areas too, when it’s not an election issue. But, to get your votes, they must shape their views in an “either, or”, scenario. It’s so crazy.
