A Nation Divided

I was reading an article in Smithsonian magazine about previous party conventions. The contributors of the articles painted a picture of party conventions that featured debate, division and rally to certain causes. It made our current conventions seem like high school pep rallies compared to some of the stuff that was happening then. An interesting point was made about the divisions of the republican vs. democrat and their respective differences. Here you go.

Very interesting stuff.

As was pointed out in that article in recent history, my lifetime, there have been few democrat victories for the white house. In fact in my lifetime, if I subtract my toddler years, there has been exactly one democrat president, Bill "Party Boat" Clinton. I point that out to say that it's amazing to see the electoral college map and my memory of the first two presidential elections I've voted in. America is fairly evenly divided and while I know bipartisanship is paid lip service I'm not sure it's happening.

I'm certain it's certain issues that have so sharply divided us; gun control and abortion among others.

I mention this because I've been wondering lately how much I should let the ideologies of the different parties determine my vote. I think this is important because even if a candidate mentions their version of change how much change is really possible. Not only will they need the approval of those on the other side of the aisle of them but also of the ideas of their own party.

I think I'm pretty much decided who my vote will be going to on election day (actually before because I'll be on vacation and will be voting absentee) but there are still some things to be considered.