Windows broken, entrances breached, police overwhelmed as increasingly violent crowds surround the Capitol Building. On Jan. 6, 2021, the Capitol was stormed by Trump supporters amidst the finalization of the 2020 election. And while this event was an incredibly impactful moment in our political history, it was above all, a huge overreaction.
The 2020 election was one of the nastiest presidential elections the United States has ever seen, and four years later, the political division has worsened. While the outcome of the election will hopefully not lead to another Jan. 6, listening to people talk has a similar feel to four years ago. But does it have to be that way?
The 2024 presidential election was undoubtedly important and personal for everyone. With issues like women’s reproductive rights, immigration and an out-of-control economy, it makes sense that people were going to be upset no matter the results. But losing friendships, family connections and even proposing a move to another country is just not worth it.
Amidst this extreme division there is a perspective that many people fail to realize: the United States has faced more political times, and democracy has survived. Ultimately, the best way to preserve our democracy is by continuing to communicate.
As divided as the country seems, Republicans and Democrats can both agree on certain issues. A 2024 research from Pew Research Center found that the majority of Republicans and Democrats were concerned with food and consumer prices, as well as housing costs. The difference? Each side’s solution.
President Elect Donald Trump believes the economy will improve by imposing tariffs of either 10% or 20% on every import coming into the US, as well as a tariff upward of 60% on all Chinese imports. Vice President Kamala Harris pledged to not raise taxes on anyone who makes under $40,000 while raising taxes for those who make over $1 million.
And the similarities do not stop there: a survey published in 2023 found that both Democrats and Republicans agreed on the importance of values like fairness, compassion, and responsibility. Yet, only one-third of either group believed the opposing party had the same values. People are extremely out of touch when it comes to their opposing political party. Instead of making an attempt to research opposing political views or sympathizing with parties, people continue to stick to their corner.
The instantaneous access that people have to all kinds of information helps drive the national division we see today. Political extremism has become prevalent as the media fuels this issue with misinformation and sensationalist headlines.
At the end of the day, Trump’s second presidential term is not going to drive the United States to the ground. The same way that a Harris win was not going to turn the country into a communist state. The United States is a democratic country with purposeful checks and balances, with countless decision makers and voters—but if we can not communicate and compromise and political extremism remains the norm, then every election, for half the population, will continue to feel like the end of the world.
