Almost everyone overestimates the gap between conservatives and liberals. And with media figureheads like Rush Limbaugh and Chuck Schumer, it’s not hard to see why the two groups seem like polar opposites.
But the reality is that the two political parties actually have more in common than most people realize, or care to admit. Despite the fact that the majority of Americans across ideological lines all want the same thing – a place where there is equality and justice – the bickering between conservatives and liberals continues.
9 Things Conservatives & Liberals Have in Common
1. Interest in Opposing Views
In 2017, the Los Angeles Times reported that the one thing conservatives and liberals have in common is their lack of interest in opposing views. Americans often get stuck in political and ideological bubbles and insulate themselves from the opinions of others. This is dangerous and encourages ignorance. Still, psychological studies support the idea that liberals and conservatives are equally resistant to learning more about the views of the other party.
2. Betterment of American Society
Despite the fact that conservatives and liberals don’t often like to consider opposing views, there are some things that both parties have in common. In fact, most all political affiliations would agree on these concepts. These are common goals that are geared at bettering society.
3. Ensuring Access to Healthy Food
Liberals and conservatives agree that Americans need and deserve access to healthy foods in their communities, schools, and homes.
4. Providing a Safe and Effective Education
Conservatives and liberals agree that American children deserve a safe, healthy learning environment. Access to education and improving education are on the minds of both political parties.
5. Bringing Manufacturing Back to the United States
8 out of 10 American consumers prefer to buy products that are made in the United States. Unfortunately, an increasing number of companies are outsourcing overseas to save costs, which is making American-made products harder to come by. Liberals and conservatives both are exploring ways to bring manufacturing back to the U.S.
6. Ensuring that Workers Have Equal and Fair Pay
Liberals and conservatives seem to agree that Americans work hard and deserve a fair wage for their time and effort. Paychecks should match skill, education, and contribution levels, and should be sufficient to support the cost of living.
7. Access to Affordable and Quality Healthcare
There are still many disparities in access to affordable and quality healthcare. However, liberal and conservative lawmakers and advocates agree that this is a fundamental issue that must be resolved. Access to healthcare and health insurance should not be restricted to the upper-middle class and wealthy. Denying access to healthcare and insurance coverage increases disparities and poor outcomes among American’s who cannot afford out-of-pocket costs or the costs of insurance premiums.
8. Provide Better Care for Elderly and Veterans
A significant portion of the U.S. population is elderly individuals, including millions of veterans. Sadly, these groups are among the most disparate and underrepresented groups. Elderly and veteran homelessness is rampant, and healthcare is almost nonexistent for individuals on fixed incomes. Conservatives and liberals both agree that these groups deserve more support and better care.
9. Removing Bias from News Media
Liberal and conservative Americans largely agree that bias needs to be removed from news media. There are frequent arguments between political parties and individual Americans about the bias of certain news organizations. If you are conservative, tune into “this” channel to get “the truth”. If you are liberal, check out “this” website. Rather than gearing certain news media outlets toward a particular political viewpoint, the news should be geared toward telling Americans the truth.
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