The One and Only, Genuine, Original Political Battle

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”

― Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

In my recent article, Entering the Fray: The Dangers of Political Discourse on Social Media, I made reference to a couple of posts I had on Facebook asking friends how they felt about people with differing political views and how they handled those relationships online.

I was glad to see that most people took the diplomatic route of giving their loved ones and acquaintances the benefit of the doubt. But others were not so forgiving and saw anyone on the other political spectrum as the enemy. And in the time since I posted my findings, it has only gotten worse.

Did you know that we had an election back in November and that a new President took office on January 20? You’d have to be living under a rock not to see the barrage of daily news reports on all that has taken place since then, because believe me, the political heat is turning up.

People on both sides of the aisle are disavowing anyone who has the nerve to support the other team at a rapid rate. The war cry is, let the unfriending begin! And I can’t help but wonder how we got here, to where politics have divided Americans to such a great degree these past few years. Has it always been this way?

Which brings me to an unlikely source — The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band.

What does a little-known Disney musical from 1968 have to do with current political tensions? Well, more than you’d think!

Grover Cleveland
Back on election night, I happened to pop in this little gem, which turned out to be very apropos. In case you are not familiar with the film, it’s the saga of a musical family that homesteads in the Dakota Territory of the 1880s and becomes embroiled in the presidential battle between Grover Cleveland and Benjamin Harrison.

History buffs will be aware that Grover Cleveland was previously the only president in US History to serve two non-consecutive terms. That is until that fateful day on November 5, 2024, when Donald Trump was elected for a second, non-consecutive term. But what’s really interesting is how high the tensions were during that election as well.

The movie does a great job depicting a community strongly at odds over the 1888 election — hurling harsh insults, taunting, brawling, and breaking fellowship over the issues of the day. It’s amazing how even without television there was no shortage of outrage, no doubt fueled by the usual political propaganda made to instill fear for the future.

My question now is this: how much do you think about the Dakota Territory or even Grover Cleveland’s election? I am going to guess you probably don’t think about it at all and that’s because it’s irrelevant. What’s done is done and now you simply live with the outcome of that election.

Politics Matter

So too, I can think back on every election in my memory and recall how each one was the election of our lifetime that was going to make or break everything. It’s all part of the game. And yet, America continues on and in four years we’ll have another election and soon this too will be just a memory as we villainize the next set of candidates.

Now I’m not suggesting that politics aren’t important. On the contrary, I believe it is vitally important to stay up on current events and to do your civic duty and vote, but what I find problematic is how easily we make the issue of the day our make or break when it comes to loved ones. How many issues seemed vitally important ten years ago that you don’t even think about now?

So, was it really worth it? Was it worth trading people you love for a fleeting moment in history? “But they are on the wrong side!” You may cry. So what? Unless you have all knowledge, I’m sure you’ve been on the wrong side before too and didn’t even know it. Do you trust the heart of your friends? Do they have a history of being a kind and considerate person? Is it possible they are in the process of growing and may eventually come to see things your way?

People Matter

Those are things I have come to feel are worth considering. I care very deeply about some of the current issues. But I also realize when you do away with people you disagree with, you do away with your influence.

If you truly are passionate about a cause, what better way to promote it than to have a civil discourse with those who have still not come around to your way of thinking? Or heaven forbid, you might be the one who learns something and changes your mind for the better.

Either way, there’s a good chance that you won’t be thinking much about the issue that caused you to go your separate ways when the next person takes office. The media is designed to stir up outrage for ratings and we know politicians have their motives too. But in the end, we are the losers when we take the bait and do away with important relationships. So, what say you — can we still be friends?

“A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,
but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.” (Proverbs 15:18)