The outrage machine is breaking us

By Jonathan Swinton

The United States is a rich tapestry of cultures, beliefs, and perspectives. Our diversity is our strength — it fuels creativity, innovation, and compassion. Yet today, we find ourselves in crisis, driven by a collective forgetting of that truth.

The cooperative spirit envisioned by our founders has eroded. In its place, we see shutdowns, bullying, grandstanding, and fearmongering. These tactics should never be justified, yet they dominate our political landscape — on both sides of the aisle.

Gone are the days when the Democratic and Republican parties built deliberative bodies of representatives who sought to work for the common good. Today, both parties and us as voters are increasingly driven by anger, ideological purity, absolutes, and the pursuit of total victory. The result? A system that obstructs for the sake of obstruction. A loss for the other side is seen as a win. 

Most Americans agree: partisanship is a problem. But the uncomfortable truth is that we are all complicit. It’s not just “them” — it’s us. Alexander Hamilton warned that “real liberty is neither found in despotism nor the extremes of democracy, but in moderate governments.” We’ve forgotten that wisdom.

So how do we fix this? No, the answer is not simply to win the majority so our party can impose its will. Real change requires practical collaborative steps such as:

• Vote moderately. Support candidates who value compromise—even if they aren’t your ideal match. Moderates rarely dominate the voting booths, but they are essential to a functional republic.

• Run for office if you’re moderate and willing to collaborate. We need more voices willing to bridge divides.

• Demand compromise. From your representatives, your party, and yourself.

• Stop feeding the outrage machine. Don’t bond over suspicion or hatred of those who disagree with you. Don’t shun others or their businesses because you disagree with them.

• Change your conversations. Online and offline, choose dialogue over diatribe.

• Listen—really listen—to opposing views. Most people aren’t waiting to be convinced; they’re waiting to be heard.

Instead of hoping your next argument will finally “win” the other side over (has that ever worked?), take a step toward those you disagree with. Listen to them like you hope they will listen to you.

• Jonathan Swinton is a Juneau resident.