Whenever I point out the evil being done by a Republican, or by the Republican Party, the standard defense I hear is usually some variation on, “But both sides do it!”
This argument is a logical fallacy called “red herring.” It is a diversionary tactic designed to change the subject. Of course one can find Democrats who are also motivated by power and gain. But you cannot justify someone’s poor behavior by pointing your finger at someone else.
This “both sides” argument also reinforces the idea that the Republican and Democrat parties are equally corrupt. That they, somehow, share equal blame for governmental dysfunction and citizen’s cynicism. This is far from the truth.
The traditional view of government
Many people still maintain an idealistic view of the two-party system of government: There is a Conservative Party (Republican) and a Liberal Party (Democrat). These parties have different ideas about how government should operate. Both parties come to power at various times depending on the changing interests and will of the people.
This idea of a “balance” of power was enshrined in the Fairness Doctrine of the FCC from 1949 until 1987. Broadcasters were required to present controversial public issues in a manner that was “honest, equitable, and balanced.” They were required to present contrasting views on these issues.
This history has given Americans the idea that every issue has two equally valid, equally valuable, points of view. We also have the idea that everyone’s opinion is equally valid and valuable. These common American beliefs are not true. Facts are always more valid than opinions, and informed opinions are much more valuable than ignorant opinions.
Far more important than the concept of Left vs. Right is the question of True or False. False ideas, whether they come from the Left or the Right, cannot be “balanced” alongside true ideas. They are simply wrong, not true, invalid. Falsehoods certainly do not deserve equal time on a news show with the truth.
You can’t negotiate with liars
The current American Republican Party is no longer acting as a traditional, rational, conservative voice. The party, in league with its propaganda arm, Fox News, has given itself wholly over to partisan warfare and a lie-based alternative narrative of reality.
Under the traditional political system, compromise (often based on deal trading) was a normal and necessary part of law-making. Both sides would give a little and a bill could eventually find enough votes (on both sides) to pass.
It is not, however, possible to negotiate or compromise with liars. They have no respect for facts and they cannot be trusted to do what they say they will do.
For example, Democrats cannot negotiate climate policy with Republicans because there is no common ground for discussion. The Republicans completely deny the science of climate change. A political negotiation must begin with an agreement on the basic facts. The Republicans deny the facts before any discussion can even begin.
The informed and the misinformed
Trump and Fox News churn out a daily stream of lies, conspiracies, accusations, and distortions that keep their followers away from any actual understanding about what is really going on.
It is now almost meaningless to talk about the political Left and Right. Instead, America is now divided into the informed and the misinformed. The misinformed are those who live in the false reality created by the lies of the Republicans and their right-wing propaganda channels.
To ask informed people to respect the opinions of, and compromise with, the stubbornly misinformed is asking the impossible. A NASA scientist will never be able to respect the geological opinions of a flat-earther. A medical doctor is never going to negotiate the need for immunization with an anti-vaxxer. There is simply no common ground for science to compromise with wackiness and paranoia.
Policy differences are now reality differences
On many issues, the Republican position is not really a difference in preferred policy, it is just a stubborn, politicized, propagandized, denial of the facts. Democrats cannot reasonably be expected to negotiate and compromise with what is essentially insanity (denial of reality). And it is difficult to respect another person’s opinion when you know it is based on lies and propaganda.
This situation often puts LDS Democrats in an uncomfortable position with respect to many in our families and in our wards. We want to love and respect our family and friends. We understand that people have different perspectives and opinions. But we can be at a complete loss as to how to relate to people who, at least when it comes to politics, seem to vehemently, even proudly, believe lies and defend evil.
The old model is no longer helpful
I am suggesting that the old “Left vs Right” political model is no longer helpful. “Balance” no longer exists.
The Republicans are not expressing a different policy approach to solving social problems. They are not open to a legitimate, friendly, discussion of the issues. They have been conditioned to believe that Democrats, and everything we stand for, and every policy idea that we propose, are wicked, evil, and wrong (you know, “Socialist”).
This increased level of animosity makes those old-fashioned, heated-but-still-friendly, political debates with old Uncle Charlie impossible. Uncle Charlie now lives in a Foxhole that he cannot see out of. All one can do is try to be patient and loving with him, and try not to let him contaminate anyone else in the family.
We Latter-day Saints should be basing our political choices on a standard of Truth. Addictive, virulent, propaganda sources such as Fox News should be avoided like the poison they are. Policy ideas should be measured against the teachings of Jesus. And any politician who promotes or defends a charlatan like Donald Trump should be voted out of office!
For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived—verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.
Doctrine and Covenants 45:57
Sources: Garrett M. Graff, “Fox News Is Now a Threat to National Security,” Wired, December 11, 2019.
Rick Wilson, “The Traitors Among Us,” Rolling Stone, December 4, 2019.
Julie Hollar, “False Equivalence in the Age of Trump,” FAIR, November 22, 2019.
John Pavlovitz, “I’m Not The Radical Left, I’m The Humane Middle,” johnpavlovitz.com, September 26, 2019.
David A. Walsh, “How the Right Wing Convinces Itself That Liberals Are Evil,” Washington Monthly, July/August 2018.
This is a troubling issue. I’ve seen studies that show that the right wingers are far less inclined to fact check, and far far more inclined to rely on heavily slanted epistemic bubbles and echo chambers. So often we deal with narratives, rather than direct and representative evidence.
“I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the state, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party, generally.
This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed; but, in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy.
The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries, which result, gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of Public Liberty.”
President Washington rightly warned us against the machinations of parties. I really wish we could dissolve them in favor of well-reasoned debate that would begin with an agreement on definitions and data. We could do much good for our society if we governed where the data would lead us.
So Brian here we are. The Trump fascist dictatorship is taking hold. Soon we all be subjects of our own Der Fuhrer. The current scope of study in the Book of Mormon is entirely useless. The Church leadership have nothing say about this, NOTHING! What are we going to do? What are we going to do? If I show up at Church the next coming of weeks, I am going to ask this: WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?