The year 2020: A year full of inconveniences and an election that has split the whole U.S in half. Friendships and family relationships have ended just due to having different political ideas. But should it be like this? The answer depends.

In past years it has always been a battle between Democrats and Republicans or the past four years mainly Democrats vs. Trump supporters. During this year’s election, most Democrats have been saying, “If you support Donald Trump, we are not friends,” but also have been rejecting family members and getting into arguments. But it hasn’t always been like this, at least not to this degree.

The overall separation between both parties generally has to do with views and actions since both parties are consistently trying to put the other down.

Faith Ogie, a junior here at Agua Fria High School, believes that you could try to be friends with someone with different political views but it would be very difficult especially if the views are harmful and affect the livelihood of others. “I think it’s better to be friends with people who are a reflection of who you are and your morals,” Ogie said.

Okay, being friends might not be the best choice for both sides but at least being respectful shouldn’t be difficult.

We can see an example in everyday politics. Politicians are very competitive and are willing to do whatever it takes to get their ideas out there. Let’s take it back to the 2008 election where President Barack Obama was running for his first term as president against Arizona Senator John McCain. 

They both had different views on politics, as McCain was a Republican and Obama was a Democrat but they both managed to respect each other. During this election, McCain actually defended Obama against his own supporters. “He’s a decent family man. A citizen I happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues,” McCain said when a supporter of his accused Obama of being an Arab. 

But in most politics being friendly and respectful is not an option. Even though Obama and McCain were able to be respectful to each other during the 2008 election, there was no way that was gonna happen in the 2020 election between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden. 

Of course towards each other, they had zero respect, but when it came to just political parties, it was different. Trump usually was not in favor of Democrats, calling them “radical” and personally favoring Republicans and what they believed first. While Joe Biden claims he would want to be a President for all, not just the side he identifies with.

Maybe Politicians don’t have to be friends or respectful but should at least try to be more professional considering this profession has to deal with the nation’s problems.

Now how do we solve this separation? How do we make this one nation come together? “We should find common ground and try to form better views that are accepting and helpful to all people, not detrimental,” Ogie said.

Maybe you don’t have to be friends with someone who has different views on politics, but each party should try to understand where the other is coming from with their views in a respectful manner. It might help America finally become one nation choosing for the better of everyone.