“I think bloggers are an effective way of disseminating independent news (with known limits of individual confirmation bias) across the world unlimited by geography.”
The above quotation came from one of the comments left by the blogger Forestwood. What really caught my attention was “known limits of individual confirmation bias.” According to britannica.com, confirmation bias is “a person’s tendency to process information by looking for, or interpreting, information that is consistent with their existing beliefs.”
Ah, yes. I suspect most of us are guilty of confirmation basis. I know I am drawn to publications and podcasts that have a particular slant. And what is that slant? I suspect long-time readers already know, but before going further with my Politics Friday posts, I thought it would be important to lay my cards on the table, as the saying goes, so that readers know exactly what my perspective is.
To begin…the United States is a two-party system with the Democrats and the Republicans vying for political office. The winner is the winner, and there are no coalitions the way there are in most democracies, which seem far superior to our two-party system. But that is what we have, and wishful thinking won’t change it. (There are Independents, who sometimes have success on a state-wide level. One of our senators, Angus King, is an Independent who caucuses with the Democrats. But Independents are an extreme minority. Currently there are only two in congress out of hundreds of senators and representatives.)
When I was young, way back in the 1960s, Democrats were considered the party of the working class and Republicans were thought to be the party of businesses and the upper class. However, this is an oversimplification as some Democrats were very conservative and some Republicans were liberal. (Richard Nixon, a Republican president, created the Environmental Protection Agency. Impossible to think of Republicans doing so today.)
Often, there were friendships and collaborations between senators and representatives. Two Maine senators, George Mitchell, a Democrat, and William Cohen, a Republican, co-authored a book, Men of Zeal, A Candid Story of the Iran-Contra Hearings. Again, impossible to think of this happening today.
Then a split occurred, sometime in the 1990s with Republican Newt Gingrich’s scorched-earth politics, and the divide has only continued to grow. Now, at least on camera, the two parties can barely contain their contempt for each other, and as far as I know, there are no books planned with Democrats and Republicans as co-authors.
This is a very simplified explanation of politics in the United States and is in no way complete. For those interested in our system, I would advise further reading.
Now, time to reveal my cards. I grew up in a working-class family and come from a long line of Democrats. Not that we didn’t jump parties occasionally when there were moderate Republicans running. My parents and I voted for William Cohen a number of times. But Democrats were who we were, my parents fairly conservative and me quite liberal. After all, I came of age in the 1970s, and they came of age in the 1950s. Still, we bumped along, and I don’t remember any political blow-outs.
As the years have progressed, I have grown ever more liberal. I believe there is a role for a strong central government whose mission should be to help those who are struggling and to provide services. I believe in capitalism, but I also believe it needs a lot of guardrails to prevent it from becoming exploitive. I read The New Yorker and The Atlantic. I listen to Ezra Klein and Pod Save America.
However, I have a strong respect, almost bordering on reverence, for facts, and I promise, despite my liberal bias, to stick to the facts. If I make a mistake, I will issue a correction. I will never lie to prove a point.
Finally, despite my aversion to Trump and Musk and to the rest of this administration, I strive always to come from a place of compassion. They are human beings, and while I wish they would leave this country alone, I do not wish for anything bad to happen to them or to their followers. Or their families.
So there it is. You now know my perspective.
Next week, onward to issues of the day.
Notes From the Hinterland 
Wow, Laurie, what a thorough, thoughtful, and beautifully articulated “position paper”. And you and I are most definitely kindred spirits in this regard. I had forgotten about William Cohen. My, Maine has had some impressive senators from both parties. Thanks for a clear and important read.
We are definitely kindred spirits. Yes, Maine has had some impressive senators from both parties. How I long for those days.
I had a whole long comment written but realized I didn’t need to pontificate. You said it well. See you next week, same time, same station. 🙂
Thanks, Judy! A quick run through political history. Also, a reminder that things weren’t always the way they are now.
Thank you for the interesting background. It will be very helpful when reading your future Friday posts.
My pleasure! I realized that what seemed like common knowledge to me would not seem the same way to readers who live outside the U.S.
This is such a fine post! You have told us exactly where you stand and part of that stance is compassion – a rare commodity in today’s politics. We have a lot in common. Over the years of living in Vermont there were often very thoughtful Republicans running for state wide office, and I frequently split my ticket. Sadly, that is now almost inconceivable.
Thanks, Michael! Yes, we have a lot in common. So very sad what has happened to the Republican Party. As you noted, it is almost inconceivable to think of splitting our vote now.
A good, well thought out post.
Thanks, Barbara!
Hi, Laurie – I applaud you for now highlighting political issues on your blog each week, and for laying your cards openly on the table. In these chaotic, political times it is way too easy to bury our head in the sand or run away screaming. I believe, now more than ever, we each need to become aware of the issues, fact check and then fact check some more. We then need to do what we can to make a positive difference. I’ve been buying local, buying Canadian and canceling big corporation US account (like Amazon, Audible, Paypal, etc). We all have a town hall (being our blogs, Facebook pages, etc.). If we all use them wisely to share, openly discuss issues and support each other (as you are doing here) what a huge difference we can make.
Many thanks! As a little fish, I feel as though I need to do as much as I can. Kudos to you for all that you are doing. And I hope you know that many of us love Canada.
Well thought out, well said, Laurie. It probably comes as no surprise that you and I are similar in our politics. I think it shocks people when they first find out I’ve voted for a Republican from time to time (it’s rare but it happens).
Thanks, Robin! No surprise at all that you and I are similar in our politics. As for voting for Republicans from time to time…back in the day there was more common ground between Republicans and Democrats. To tell you the truth, I long for those days. Better for the country.
I view the US politics from afar (Portugal). I only believe what I see and hear coming directly from the mouths of Trump and his sidekicks.
Now I duck … a couple of the things Trump suggested with regard to cutting bloat in government departments is probably a good idea. The implementation was not. The other regarding education (if I-ve understood correctly) was another. I need more unbiased research on this. I just remember a lot of parents were distressed during COVID and homeschooling when they discovered just how much crap their children were being fed in terms of woke etc. This is understandbly true where families have strong religious beliefs (which I respect)
I also agree with the view that only biological women should compete in womens sports.
That’s where it ends. right now, thanks to Trumpet, the world is teering on the brink of war. Not just with weapons but also with trade
Sometimes I lean to the far right when it comes to looking after your own people before illegal immigrants. I used to correspond with a fellow writer who found himself on the street and how desperately hard it was to get help.
On other topics I am more liberal except maybe what they teach children in school.
My views are probably centre of something. I don’t know how I’d vote if I went back to the UK. All the politians are a pack of Muppets.
Musk he is a man way ahead of his time.
Perhaps it might be worthwhile to do some fact-checking to see if Trump and his sidekicks are telling the truth.
It’s difficult to know, Laurie. I know from conversations with my young grandson in the UK when he was ten he was being taught some rather skewed ideas about gender at school and seemed to think you could switch. There were other alarming issues that kids his age should not be subject to. As for Mr T. YEs, I must fact check further to see what his plans include.
I was trying to find the democrats take on this but the only thing I could find on Kamala Harris on the first google search was that her security clearnace was revoked on Friday.
https://www.politico.com/news/kamala-harris/1
I am not hearing any news reports on Euronews/UK re the oppositions take. Maybe I missed it?
I forgot to add
“What really caught my attention was “known limits of individual confirmation bias.” According to britannica.com, confirmation bias is “a person’s tendency to process information by looking for, or interpreting, information that is consistent with their existing beliefs.”
Yep.
Yes, I think we all do it. The saving grace is a respect for facts and a willingness to correct when mistakes are made.
Yes, it is important to keep an open mind. 🙂
As much as we all like to think our truth is the truth it can be skewed by many factors – both internal an external. We all have a confirmation bias. Being aware of it can help to judge matters in a more objective way.
But it is hard to avoid unless we are aware of it.
Well put, Laurie. We’ve seen a fair amount of change in this country!
Thanks, Eliza. I have to admit that part of me longs for the days when Mitchell and Cohen could co-author a book.
The political climate of the new millennium has been a huge disappointment, it seems to only get ‘worser and worser!’
Alas.
Thoughtfully written, Laurie … and very respectful. I’m one of those rare (these days) independent moderates. As I like to say, both parties want my money and vote but nothing to do with my policies.
As you mentioned, our system is different than most of the democratic world – and that’s OK. Then again, we live in crazy times.
Wishing harm to a side? Nope – that’s not me. I’m not a Musk fan, but the vandalism to Tesla dealerships and Tesla owners is ridiculous.
No question people that many select their information sources based on what they want to hear. The media is biased by its nature, I get that … but the listener is even more biased – yet they are the ones complaining.
My latest thoughts center around this question. If the Executive branch ignores the judiciary, and Congress sits on its hands, then what? Well, my current answer is that we are screwed.
While the Republicans like to boost about being pro-Constitution, they are not only the ones who want to amend it – they also want to rewrite it with their vision. I also wonder how far away (or close) is that from happening.
Thanks again!
Thanks, Frank! And although I am a liberal, I long for the days when there were independent moderates, especially when it comes to politicians.
Yes, the vandalism towards Teslas is awful, especially since most of the owners bought the cars for environmental reasons and probably voted for Harris.
Very scary in this country right now. If the executive branch ignores the judicial branch, then I would say this country is headed toward a constitutional crisis.
Fingers crossed, Frank. Fingers crossed.
Fingers crossed indeed. Here’s something I wrote elsewhere that is something to ponder. https://sorryless.wordpress.com/2025/02/24/a-playbook/
Excellent piece! Thanks for sharing.
A huge thank you for your clear and concise summation of your political feeling-world. It makes understanding and communication so much easier. In my case, commenting from far away but hugely interested Australia I could not agree more with you in methinks on all points. I was considerably on the right-wing side when young – life’s truths have made me a centrist with a left-leaning bias. In Australia this is the Labor Party (your Democrat), our Republicans are called the Liberal Party. Unlike in the US, our Independents are rapidly growing in size and importance. the most interesting perchance are the TEALS, a large number of independent, highly educated, middle-of-the-road women very successful in various elections – their very varying votes are making a huge difference in the outcome of various national issues. Our Greens are also of note and there are always a dozen-odd other smaller parties vying for seats. Our current Govt is trying to be ‘diplomatic’ towards the Trump administration which is beginning to HATE us!!! One of the bugbears is our NBS system for medical drug costs – new prices have just been announced – methinks it is $A7.70 per script for pensioners and those on lower incomes and $A25 per any script for those on full pay. Even for medications costing the Govt thousands of dollars per script! For pensioners this is guaranteed for the next five years. And many drugs can now be prescribed for two months at a time. No one goes without! Of course, Trump sees us virtually a Communist country whilst himself being close pals with Putin. Sorry for the length of this, but thought the comparison with the US and that of Canada interesting?
You’re very welcome! And thank you for explaining how it is in your country. Very different from how it is in ours. Truthfully, although all systems have flaws, I think your system is better. The notion of no one going without sounds very good to me.
Well, as has been said > Down Under no one has ever gone bankrupt because of a long and complicated hospital stay! And not getting the best care available in the country – for that I am grateful.
The way health care should be.
There is a lot to be said for coalitions. My pet hate is politicians in two party governments who have got roughly half or less of the vote saying that they have a mandate for their policies., when it is almost certain that well less than half the possible voters have put them into power. Our present government got in with about a third of the vote and a huge majority!
Lots of flaws in our two-party system. Also leads to fewer choices. Both parties have to encompass a wide range of voters, which in turn leads to conflict.
It tends to lead to short term planning too.
Well said!
Dear Laurie,
This is an amazing summary of the political system of the country, concise and comprehensive at the same time.
I look forward to learning more about your thoughts about what is going on.
Thank you,
Tanja
Thanks so much! It felt rushed, but I doubt anyone was interested in reading thousands of words about our political system. But because there are readers from around the world, I felt some explanation was necessary.
Always compassion…that’s what the world needs before anything else. Here we are big on coalitions and I tend to weigh up all the “big issues” and then vote accordingly so I flip-flop constantly but my base belief is that we are only as strong as our weakest link. I reckon that goes for families, work places, countries, and planets, too. And with that belief comes responsibility
A good analysis of why there is such a divide. I cannot forget President Zelensky’s “I’m not playing cards”.
Thanks, Derrick! Another card metaphor.
You remind us of a time when members of the two parties collaborated for the good of the country. It was also a time when my son worked for the Concord Coalition — with Dem Paul Tsongas (MA) and GOP Paul Rudman (NH) — who were both dedicated to bringing down the national debt by educating citizens about it.
I long for those times.
Well said, Laurie. You and I are clearly on the same page. One of the things that saddens me most these days is that serious thinking seems to be out of fashion, supplanted by emotive headlines and shallow, out-of-context soundbites. You have plainly not succumbed to this unwelcome trend.
I look forward to reading more of what you have to say, both to improve my understanding of the situation in the US, and to look for resonances and echoes in the UK (the well-worn saying “When America sneezes, the rest of the world catches the cold” feels chillingly apposite right now).
I had a feeling we were on the same page.Thanks so much for the kind words.
So true and scary about what happens “when America sneezes.” Sigh.
Perhaps one lesson to take forward in these times is what I learned as “The Golden Rule” when I was very young, and went to church regularly and to vacation bible school during the summers. The Rule we learned as children says “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. A functional society depends heavily on its citizens believing and behaving according to this unspoken Rule. Such an elegantly simple truth, yet so hard for humans to live by!
Very hard! Not seeing much of The Golden Rule lately.
I agree. These days it seem to be more “Do unto others before they do unto you”.
I think that is the motto in DC right now. Sigh.
By the way, that is Immanuel Kant’s categorical imperative – one of the basic ideas of enlightenment.
More enlightenment is sorely needed these days.
We were raised to respect the opinions of other even when we disgreed with them. I remember my father saying countless times “I don’t agree with a word he says, but I’ll fight for him to speak those words.” The current administration does not respect anyone but their close allies, everyone else is an enemy and that is exactly how Hitler came to power. However, once all these foolish and needless tariffs start showing up in the price of just about everything we buy, I can’t imagine even the hard-core followers will be happy.
So true! What scary times we live in. I hope the high prices will make people think twice. Unfortunately, some of his base are so committed that they think high prices are worth it to promote his agenda.
Thanks Laurie for posting the pingback to my blog – and for candidly expressing your point of view. Democracy is a wondrous concept but it is flawed. It relies on people acting decently with morals to work. Those who are corrupt or of dubious intent can subvert the system. I often wondered if politics could work without a party system. A conscious vote on every piece of legislation – but I think that is a utopian concept that might be a chaotic rabble?
Even so, I live in hope that bi-partisanship will be a common thread in our future – one day…..
And thank you for bringing up an important issue. I thought it was important to start from a place of honesty.
It is the best policy as the adage goes!
Hi Laurie! Thank you for sharing your positions. It sounds like you and I are quite aligned, which feels nice in this polarized time, though listening to opposing positions is equally as important. Our bubbles feel safe but ignorance isn’t bliss in the long run. I appreciate you and hope your week ahead is a great one!
Yes, always nice to find kindred spirits.
I think you are brave to lay it all out there. I’m looking forward to reading your next Friday post.
Thanks, Dawn. I did feel as though I was exposing myself, but it felt necessary to be honest about where I stood.
Your family sounds similar to mine from a political point of view, Laurie, though my parents were probably a little more liberal. I applaud you for sticking to the facts. I honestly believe that if our politics was fact-based, our country would still have disagreements, but they’d be able to work toward real solutions. And your compassion is commendable. I am furious with Trump voters, but I also know that they’ve been misled and manipulated for decades and that isn’t entirely their fault. This is an unfortunate way for many of them to learn the truth.
Interesting explanation, but as I look at the way politics is developing all I can think of is Orwell.
“The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which.”
Yes, Orwell certainly comes to mind. Sigh.
Dear Laurie
Thank you so much for telling us about your political ideas.
For me, seeing it from Europe, the US is an underdeveloped country. When I taught at a US university, I was shocked by my students’ conscience and one-dimensional knowledge. On the other hand, living in the US was easy, but I was happy when I went back to teaching at McGill in Montreal. I was amazed by the differences between Europe and the US on most levels. Canada was much more to my liking.
I come from an intellectual upper middle class family who was proud of being liberal and internationally connected. I missed this openness in the US.
Thanks again and all the best
Klausbernd 🙂
Yes, I know there are many differences. Still, not ready to give up hope just yet. There are many good minds here as The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and numerous podcasts indicate.
I resonate with your position, and appreciate how you explained it. I long for the return of moderate Republicans.
Thanks, Lorna! Those moderate Republicans seem to be long gone.
Yes. Still mourning their retreat.