Politics and Relationships- Can they Coexist?

My father tells me that Hillary Clinton has late stage syphilis and should be in jail because of her crimes revolving around her email fraud.

My aunt tells me that Donald Trump is misogynistic and should never have access to nuclear launch codes.

My mother doesn’t talk about politics because she is scarred by strong-willed political advocates who refuse to have calm discussions rather than heated arguments.

Here’s the question that everyone really yearns for the answer to: Who is right? Really, there might not be one true answer. A majority opinion may be found in an election, but no single candidate is necessarily the “right” choice. Either way, for people to reach their own conclusions, they must hear opposing opinions, analyze them, and have a chance to debate; the reason why talking about politics is so necessary to the foundation of our government and society.

There is, however, another necessity, the frequency of which must be called into question; awareness of the effects of overly passionate conversation. I have been the passive listener of others’ debates, as well as a participant in some of my own. In almost every case, someone becomes heated, and so the mood of the scene becomes tense, demonstrating that politics negatively affects relationships. I have talked to spouses who avoid political discussion in their home because someone always ends up sleeping on the couch. Relations between a close friend and myself have come close to faltering because of our differing views and her strong will, even when I personally believe that such intensity is uncalled for.

Perhaps to some, pursuing political discussion is worth severing relationships. As a species that requires interaction to survive, it seems to me that, while debate is necessary, certain subjects need to be delicately addressed so that political differences do not cause irreparable damage to an essential relationship in a person’s life.

As our great country was in its infancy, John Adams noted that the “division of the republic into two great parties. . .is to be dreaded as the greatest political evil under our Constitution.” Even the founding fathers predicted such a fault in our society, and so it is our civil and patriotic duty to learn from the mistakes of the previous generation and improve upon these faults for the good of ourselves and our country.

The next time you find yourself talking about the upcoming election, I urge you to think before you speak, as to not offend your debating counterpart. Get exposed to other people’s opinions, but do so in a way so that everyone benefits, and stop the conversation before it severs a tie not worth breaking.