Politics since 2010
collage by evon fitts
Gay marriage, legalized recreational marijuana, and the rich guy from The Apprentice were barely a thought in the public eye at the start of the decade. But now, these three things are commonplace. Today’s world is just like the people in it, constantly evolving to better fit its environment. And just how they react and respond to the world around them, the political scene in the United States has had to evolve to fit them—the people.
We entered the 2010s with Obama leading the charge and giving the American people “hope.” The early 2010s were a different time for America. Social media was just blossoming into the beast that we know it as today and the way people were informed and thought about politics was much different than today. The constant sharing of support to political candidates through one’s Twitter would be unheard of in the younger years of this decade.
“The Obama administration hid what the Trump administration can’t hide. That’s great political divisiveness. I think that’s a disintegrating political discourse,” Mr. Lyle Hayden, APUSH and psychology teacher at SJHS, said.
Following the Bush Administration, the American people were seeking a drastic change on the leadership spectrum, and they found their answer in Barack Obama. Our country once again continued the trend of flipping and flopping between political parties and ideologies due to our previous dissatisfaction. This drastic change of ideology led to many nationwide changes.
Examples of this include the 2015 Supreme Court decision which struck down a “Defense of Marriage” bill in California that led to the legalization of gay marriage throughout the United States, the 2012 legalization of marijuana in Colorado and Washington, and the beginning of the Black Lives Matter movement. People are grouping together now and finding communities where they feel that they fit most.
“I wouldn’t say people group together now more than ever, but this stuff comes in waves… I think these things are cyclical, and people have such great ability to connect it’s easier to portray information to a listening audience without having all the facts,” Mr. Hayden said.
But not all of the changes under the administration were welcome ones. Towards the very beginning of the decade, Kim Jong Un took over the reigns in North Korea—tightening the metaphorical chains already around the throat of North Korea. But since his succession of his father, he has taken his foot off the gas and seemingly moving towards peace with recent talks with former enemies of the state like South Korea and even the United States.
And to continue with the pattern, the United States once again went in the complete opposite direction of leadership once the ballot boxes opened again in 2016. In the biggest political upset in recent history, Donald J. Trump edged out Hillary Clinton to take home the election for the Republicans. And, from the initial rage, it appeared evident that Clinton had won the popular vote. Controversy, arguing, and scrutiny have been common spotlights shining on the Trump administration.
Seemingly the only thing we have agreed on is the federal banning of bump stocks. In this day of social media, everyone automatically thinks their political opinions are valid, which opens up the floor for debate whether invited or not. And with the debate floor operating with hours similar to that of a brothel, the debating never stops.
“Everybody is digging in heels. It’s about being right. It’s about being correct. And it’s about about shouting down opposition. There’s too much screaming and not enough listening,” Mr. Hayden added.
At the point in time we are now, many would argue that we aren't even debating for the right reasons. Debating like hunters who don’t eat their prey—merely for sport. The main reason for debate in years past was to better something or talk through issues and find potential problems. But with avenues like social media and more constant involvement with others, debating is more popular to many than conversation nowadays.
“Democracy is not easy. It takes you having your opinions, me having my opinions. Us arguing, debating, discussing—influencing.” — Mr. Hayden
“Democracy is not easy. It takes you having your opinions, me having my opinions. Us arguing, debating, discussing—influencing. And at the end of the day, in order for democracies to work, if I give in and don’t get what I want and you do the same, then we get what we need. And right now we’re not doing that,” added Mr. Hayden.
Time is moving quicker and quicker in this age of constant entertainment and stimulation to the human mind. Feel free to next time just listen. In the age of consuming so much and spitting so much back, just listen and slow down.