It is clear the political center is shrinking. We all talk about division and difficulties getting things done in Washington. Fortunately, the Maine Legislature can still work together.
Recent elections in France show we are not the only country dealing with polarization. Parties on both left and right gained seats at the expense of President Macron’s center party. Macron will struggle to move programs forward. Israel will soon have its fifth election in three years. Hungary’s democracy erodes under President Orban. Some say democracies don’t work.
Why is the political center shrinking? For complex problems like COVID, immigration, climate change and inflation, we long for simple answers. Politicians on both the left and right push simple but ineffective solutions. Social media makes it too easy to attack opponents and make compromise a “dirty word.” Political opponents are too often considered enemies.
To solve these complex problems, we need to talk to each other and find common ground that is surely there if we look for it. Finding consensus will gain support of more people. Minority-driven programs will not be accepted for long.
With great challenges facing us at the global, national and local levels, we all need to dedicate ourselves to taking the time together to find solutions that we can all live with. Nobody will get everything they want, but we will all be better off.
That is how our government is supposed to work. The alternative is a disturbing prospect.
David Griswold, Auburn
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