Preaching to the choir

The best known and most vocal commentators on either side of the political aisle offer effectively no hope of persuading dissenters to join them.

I haven’t paid any attention to the news for over a year, but I would assume that people like Bill Maher or the gals from The View on the left, as well as Ben Shapiro and Tomi Lahren from the right, are still at it. My guess is that every point made is still made with great conviction. I am doubtful, though, as to how effective they’ve been at convincing those who do not already agree with them.

The problem is that nobody on either side has convinced those on the “other side” that they genuinely want what is best for individuals and our country.

The left attacks rich people, as if rich people are inherently bad and not simply hard workers or lucky, neither of which is a crime. The right attacks legislation purported to help the “main street” without clearly articulating why they don’t believe the legislation will work. No wonder neither side trusts each others’ intentions.

Both sides treat it as a foregone conclusion that the other side isn’t just wrong – they are evil. As anyone with a half a brain knows, being pro-life doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t want women to have rights, and being an environmentalist doesn’t necessarily mean you hate businesses and think the world is going to end if five years. But we treat one another as if that is precisely and unequivocally what such opinions mean.

Preaching to the choir has made us little progress, but I’m sure all the folks I’ve mentioned appreciate the financial benefits of having done so.