Every politician chooses to unite or divide. Dividers emphasize our differences and play to a political base, often by demonizing the other party. Uniters find areas of agreement and build relationships across political boundaries. As we enter into the heart of the election season, campaign messaging shows what each candidate chose.
As a citizen witness and local craftsman in the visual arts field I have attempted to explain the catastrophic risks of any public policy promoting division. I used the medium that suits me best to express my concerns as you do yourself with eloquent words. You might find the visual philosophy exhibited in 20Twenty Cage Blues ( at Eugene’s Public Library until Nov.4th.) in unisson with your warning about divisive campaigning.
As a recovering politician your philosophical musings are welcome and point out that any candidate that dwells exclusively on smearing and demonizing the opponent are a red flag. That strategy (of using negative adds) reveals a lack of commitment to true leadership, leadership that would focus on the general welfare of the community at large. It also reveals a hateful and destructive tendency that can quickly devolve into authoritarianism and the worse kind of bad government. I sometimes wonder if building consensus is not a forgotten art in todays political forum, a gladiator’s win-all take-all kind of battle to the death. We either evolve from that dead end attitude or lose the most precious contract of democracy.
As a citizen witness and local craftsman in the visual arts field I have attempted to explain the catastrophic risks of any public policy promoting division. I used the medium that suits me best to express my concerns as you do yourself with eloquent words. You might find the visual philosophy exhibited in 20Twenty Cage Blues ( at Eugene’s Public Library until Nov.4th.) in unisson with your warning about divisive campaigning.
Positive vs. negative campaigning:
As a recovering politician your philosophical musings are welcome and point out that any candidate that dwells exclusively on smearing and demonizing the opponent are a red flag. That strategy (of using negative adds) reveals a lack of commitment to true leadership, leadership that would focus on the general welfare of the community at large. It also reveals a hateful and destructive tendency that can quickly devolve into authoritarianism and the worse kind of bad government. I sometimes wonder if building consensus is not a forgotten art in todays political forum, a gladiator’s win-all take-all kind of battle to the death. We either evolve from that dead end attitude or lose the most precious contract of democracy.