A Plea for Sanity

Our nation is more fractured and factional than ever, especially in an election year that will bring a definite regime change to our country.  The Republicans and Democrats are up in arms, using all outlets possible to reach the people of the nation with their own special message.   

This is by far the most internet-conscious election in our nation's history.  According to the Pew Research Group, almost a quarter of the nation regularly uses the internet to gather information about the election (almost double the amount in 2004).  Candidates have begun to work on networking sites like Myspace and Facebook to aim for the younger vote. The internet has become an easily accessible window to the world, and the people of the nation have begun peeking out it. 

But is this new media consciousness a positive for the election?  The internet has become a notorious breeding ground for those who claim fact when they opine, and media personalization is becoming one of the greatest threats to our collective political mind.  When people don't have to hear or face what they don't want to, their ideas are never challenged.  They become infinitely more fanatical. 

This is my warning to the people of this great nation: don't insulate yourself.  The internet may be a wonderful tool, but always try to understand the view from across the aisle.  Use the internet to broaden your views, not reinforce your own preconceived notions.  Our liberty, freedom and democracy depend on people coming together to find what works best for the whole, not walling themselves off in their own bubble until election day.