All right, today we will tackle the controversial topic of Republican extremism. Gregory Graf was a great conversationalist when it came to American politics. Greg’s insights are so profound that they could cause your head to spin.
Greg then threw us a curveball, saying that “extremism” was like nailing jelly to the side of a building – it is slippery and has different meanings for everyone. Although you may find it extreme to wear socks with sandals, another person might view this as the pinnacle of fashion.
It was then that we went on a nostalgic trip, to a time when Elvis was the King and TV Dinners were all of the rage. Post-WWII America, where communists were hiding under beds, shaped much of what was associated with the Republican Party. It represented capitalism on steroids. Uncle Sam showed his strength.
Now, fast-forward to the present day and you’ll see that we’re all playing in a different league. Tweets and 24-hour channels of news allow anyone who has an opinion to shout it loudly. Greg mentioned that with this megaphone, the loudest and craziest ideas will get airtime.
Stage left: populism, polarization. This pair is shaking politics around like a set of maracas. In polarization, people choose their sides based on slogans and not policy.
Greg’s example was very poignant: imagine that you like vanilla icecream (boring, yes? but let me explain). The pressure is on to take sides. Are you Team Super Mega Ultra Vanilla and Team Extreme Chili Pepper Vanilla. It seems that plain old vanilla has become unattractive.
In addition, we talked about how today everything is more intelligent – from our phones and refrigerators to the political dialogue. I feel like our society is more divided yet connected. Greg claims that we are more polarized and fearful in the digital age, which is a result of our prejudices. It makes extreme views seem appealing since they offer simple solutions to complex issues.
There’s a catch: not every Republican is willing to dive into the extremism. You can still find plenty of conservatives who aren’t afraid to tweet or burn their hair.
How can we lower the heat level? Greg suggests that we really talk – across all party lines. We need to listen instead of yelling at each other. Sitting down with a weird uncle on Thanksgiving to discover that you share the same love for fishing, or dislike of pineapple in pizza.
When we finished our little chinwag I realized there’s no such thing as a “one-size-fits all” solution when it comes to tackling extremeism. You have to try and understand the viewpoints of others, even if you just say that wearing sandals with socks is a crime.
It’s here – my little chat with Gregory Graf, on the extremes of Republican politics. As clear as mud and twice as interesting. The next time that you feel tempted by the chili vanilla flavor, try plain vanilla instead. It’s time for them to show up again with their bag full of mystery tools, ready and waiting to rescue the situation.