Produce by Jeff Beard, Peter Hutchison and Kelly Nyks (Also Director).
This documentary looks for the factors that divide Americans in regard to politics. It intends to go beyond the simplistic explanations that focus only on the theories of Blue and Red States, Conservatives and Liberals, Democrats and Republicans. It employs six questions to answer the underlining premise of what divides America.
Watch Documentary:
The following are the questions and answers given on the subject:
How are we divided?
We are obsessed with the issues. The Rural vs. Urban ideas: Morality (Abortion issues, Family values), Race (Republican Whites against cultural interests or giveaways for blacks), Economy (Rich/Poor) can’t be discussed without animosity. Therefore, the political map changes with time. This creates an animosity between Liberals and Conservatives that is constant in nature. We are a liberal and conservative nation with few centralists in between.
Note: The fight between Agriculture and Industry occupies an important role in politics. How to combine them could help an economy and our political environment. The Oxford American Dictionary defines obsession as a noun, which means a state of being obsessed with someone or something or an idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person’s mind.
Can we Talk about Politics?
There are no real issues being discussed, but only dirty secrets or sticking points. People are disconnected from the real issues, and thus, rely too much on television to base their decisions. Politics have become unreasonable (Negative issues take front page). Therefore, we can’t discuss the real issues in a real and sensible way.
What role does faith play in our politics?
Religious issues challenge political agendas and create animosities. Since last decade, religion has played a greater role. People are cherishing religion more. It could be for the growing spectrum of Secularism and evolution. Therefore, it is taking a greater role.
Important Note: For the first time in America, we have tax cuts during a war. Christians don’t start wars: Part of the US constitution.
Question Asked to President Bush in 2004: What political philosopher or thinker do you most identify with and why?
President Bush: “Christ. Because he changed my heart.”
Does the Media divide us?
Fox and CNN (Conservatives and liberals). America relies too much on the media. The media is not objective anymore. The media is not reporting anymore. It is taking sides and looking for profits. Therefore, it can divide us at times.
Note: The Telecommunication Act harmed the media.
Clinton ran nationwide ads: Obama next.
Do campaign divide us?
It is believed that undecided have low level of knowledge. Negative Campaigning helped republicans until last election. There has been only two choices. You either vote Republican or Democrat. Therefore, it can’t divide us. We are already divided.
What is the answer?
America should start talking about the unifying factors that America has to offer. A voice that speaks to commonality rather than to our differences. Therefore, Obama won the presidency. He talked about unity and spoke about the issues that mattered to Americans.
Nixon/Kennedy Debate Overview:
What is your overall opinion?
