Al Franken and Rush Limbaugh have at least two things in common: Both have radio talkshows and both spend their air time tearing down other people, respectively Republicans and Democrats. Okay. They’re entitled to their opinions. But the insults and barbs that they hurl are a reflection of a much larger problem, one that profoundly affects our political and social landscape. Simply put, we can’t talk to each other about important issues anymore unless we’re certain that the other guy is “on our side.” We live in the era of knee-jerk reactions. Sure, it makes for good entertainment, and the aforementioned broadcasters are in the entertainment business, but when it comes to serious problems like the state of health care in the United States, dealing with the elderly, and the war in Iraq, we can’t speak to each other civilly. Hell, we can’t even speak to other other at all because as soon as one gets the words out that he or she is against gay marriage, for example, the person with the opposing viewpoint closes up shop mentally. All that’s needed to know is that the other guy differs from you in opinion and the discussion is over. [Read more…]