Currently in the United States we are facing a political division that I, in my lifetime, have never seen before. Arguments about a stance on one thing or another are cropping up almost everywhere, from beyond the stage and set of television screens to loud, rebellious protests and walk-outs. People, as far as I’ve seen, have never been more split apart.
Within her introduction of “Finding the Good Argument”, Rebecca Jones points out that the “fallacy of public argument is debilitating” in the sense that “you are either for or against gun control, for or against abortion, for or against the environment, for or against anything” (160). There is no in between. The simply defining term of ‘democrat’ or ‘republican’ asserts your beliefs must be nothing less than generic; you can’t be liberal in some terms and conservative in others. This concept of all for nothing further defines and highlights the combative approach people take to arguments, the idea that finding a common ground is impossible. In an argument, there is an understanding that each side is offering something polar, and that there must be a winner, and a certain give and take. Things can get ugly, but it’s worth it to come out the champion. As you can probably tell, equating arguments with a long, systematically thought out fight on the battlefield with strategy and blueprint plans for attack, is a problem.
Flipping back to modern politics- if there’s anything we need right now, it’s a sense of togetherness. With half the country feeling abandoned and the other feeling like this is finally their time to shine, America as a whole is forgetting that it is a whole. More recently, there’s been an issue with DACA, deferred action for childhood arrivals, and doubts to its current existence in the United States of America. Plastered across news stations are experts chiming in their opinions, and making sarcastic eye rolls when their opposition states something they don’t personally support. I see this as incredibly childish. While I too have my own thoughts, shutting someone else down because you don’t like their opinion, just so you can win the ‘argument war’ solves nothing. No one learns from each other, and nothing is solved or improved. It’s just two people who grumble back and forth, when the grand opportunity of compromise and understanding waits in the background.
My point is, if we take the time to hear one another, maybe we’ll be able to reach a decision that benefits all of us. Maybe, just maybe, you’ll hear something you haven’t heard before, and helps you gain a new perspective. It’s these new perspectives that help us develop our own opinions. If we approach an argument with the intention to learn and grow, it becomes the infamously mythical “good argument” Jones describes. Perhaps if we stop putting on our armor and preparing for battle, we can gain the opportunity to stand together. After all, that’s what America is about: a melting pot of people, dreams, opportunities, and opinions that each deserve an ear.
Personalized American Dreams 
I also felt that this idea of a two sided argumant war is problematic, especially now when people are falling further and further away from the political extremes. No issue is simply black and white; there’s a great number of possibilities in regards to beliefs and thoughts on certain major topics. To think that there are only two sides is to live in the past, where other sides weren’t even conceivable! If we want to progress as a nation we must unify and learn to hear others opinions, even if they’re wrong. Shutting them down when they try to be expressive cuts off the chance for dialogue, which is extremely important for a democratic society where all people are supposed to have a say. I liked the point you raised about the DACA, what with it being so recent and controversial in the politcal world. Knowing and understanding that people need to be allowed to voice their opinions is so important at a time like this, even when those opinions may not be well liked or accepted by some group. We cannot childishly cover our ears and scream “LALALA I’M NOT LISTENING”, we must be open and ready to listen.
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I had a very similar opinion to yours when it came to how to deal with arguments. We have to learn how to actually listen to people when their expressing their side of an argument. This is one way we can begin to agree with one another or at least come up with a compromise that benefits both or all sides involved. Just by being able to do this I believe we can possibly become a more united nation. After reading this text by Rebecca Jones I also realized that during an argument we only see two sides of an argument, which is either being for or against the topic that is up for debate. I agree that today more than ever that this country needs a sense of togetherness and we can accomplish this just by listening to one another.
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I also find the concept of “all or nothing” when it comes to political stance incredibly infuriating. Its difficult to find an individual that is either completely democratic or completely republican—most are a mix, to whatever degree, of both. Debates between people with completely different views should not be so aggressive. Instead of being willing to hear what their opponent has to say, most take opinions different from their own as insults and thus prevent for an actual argument to take place. I also strongly believe that people should grow the patience and tolerance to hear what others have to say, no matter how convinced they are of their own opinions.
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Seriously. I have also never seen any polarization like this. I wonder where it ends. I wonder when people will be tired of this and start listening.
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Listening is a key point in any argument, regardless of the circumstances. The “Divided” States of America would become the USA only if argument had compromise and like Macy said, “heard others opinions.” It is crucial that in a time like this people do not become ignorant or prejudiced against one another for the would would be a better place had we not have any predispositions to violence and cruelty that is anything other than democracy, for this country had been built upon democracy for crying out loud. As we should be respectful of others cultures on campus, so should both parties be considerate of contrasting opinions that may seem to be outlandish or what they consider to be “stupid.” Your tangent on the definition of a “good argument” really exemplifies what Jones seek and what we all seek as progressing citizens of society. Again, listening can mean more than life itself in the eyes of the beholder.
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I really hate today’s political climate. Frankly, I ignore the subject all together. It so sad we can’t just listen to each other. It seems we need to raise our voices to be heard at all. I
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(oops i wasn’t done writing). I enjoy exploring arguments and seeing different sides. It was always a challenge writing one sided papers in school because I could always see the bigger picture. I think we all need to slow down and listen to each others arguments before we try to blow them out of the water.
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I agree, its sad to see that this destructive form of argument is plastered all over the media too. Big names do it and I don’t think its a good example to set for people at all. In politics, especially, people just jaw at each other back and forth and it doesn’t get anything done, it just polarizes our nation like you said. It would be nice to see people sit down and have a constructive argument with each other, but you hardly ever see that anymore. That level of maturity and intelligence is only seen in TED talks these days I guess.
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