There are many in the media who, with the help of the politicians, talk about how divided this country is. They label states as being either red or blue, like everyone in the state thinks a certain way. They find one person or a small group with an extreme left or right viewpoint and want to say that everyone on that side of the aisle feels that way.

Getting before the cameras to talk about the division in America is good for ratings. Stoking that division helps get people elected.

But what if we aren’t as divided as the media and politicians wanted us to believe? What if I told you we have a lot more in common than we think?

I recently read about a unique survey done by Brian Schaffner of Tufts University and Stephen Ansolabehere of Harvard that shed new light on the so-called division in America. These two political scientists have been surveying more than 700,000 voters over the last two decades about why people vote the way they do.

But this year, instead of just asking who someone voted for and why, they asked a more personal question. They asked something that, on the surface, doesn’t seem to be all that political at all.

The question they asked of both Trump and Harris voters was, “What was the most important thing that happened in your life in the past year?”

The Trump voters’ top three issues in order were 1) a medical problem, 2) household finances, and/or 3) the death of a loved one. The surprising thing is that the Harris voters had the exact same three responses, and they were in the exact same order.

The study showed that politics doesn’t define our lives as much as you’d think, but real-life issues do. Things like economics and health are what matter to liberals, conservatives, and everyone in between.

And while the pundits and politicians like to lump everyone into voting blocs like White Evangelical voters for Republicans or LGBTQ voters for Democrats, it’s not that simple.

46% of Americans are part of what they call the “Mosaic Middle.” Smaller groups who pulled in different directions- 46% of Americans who don’t fit into the siloes they try to put us in, 46% of Americans who split tickets, 46% of Americans who think for themselves, who are willing to change their minds. This Mosaic Middle consists of those who, more often than not, decide who the winners and losers are at the ballot box.

There was a chant during the protests of the 60’s that said, “When the people lead the leaders will follow.” Wouldn’t it be better if the Republicans who are dealing with life,

death, and money issues were more empathetic to the Democrats dealing with life, death, and money issues, and vice versa? Wouldn’t it be better if politicians spent more time worrying about problems that affect us all rather than fringe issues that only affect a few but rile the emotions of many?

We the people can make that happen. But how?

One way is to expand your circle of friends to include people outside of your specific demographic. Get to know and experience people who you might otherwise overlook because of their politics, religion, sexuality, or other factors politicians use to define and polarize us.

Another way is to avoid getting emotionally involved in negative campaign ads. People say they hate all the negative ads, yet the politicians use them because they work. Take the time to read up on a candidate’s positions. Go to their town halls and ask them questions. Avoid getting all worked up when they use trigger words like socialist, fascist, communist or elitist. Do some research and make up your own mind.

Republicans are not the enemy of the Democrats, and Democrats are not the enemy of the Republicans. Members of both parties are fellow Americans with a different way of looking at solutions to problems.

There are problems that we all deal with every day. These problems would be much easier to solve if we stopped letting politicians and media divide us and if we realized that when push comes to shove, we are a lot more alike than we care to admit.

Tom Becka is a long time Nebraska broadcaster who for over 30 years has been covering Omaha and Midwest issues on both radio and TV. He has been a guest on numerous national cable and news shows, filled in for nationally syndicated talk radio programs and Talkers Magazine has recognized him as one of the Top 100 talk show hosts in the country 10 times. Never afraid to ruffle some feathers, his ‘Becka’s Beat’ commentaries can be found online on Youtube and other digital platforms.

Opinions expressed by columnists in The Daily Record are not necessarily those of its management or staff, and do not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Any errors or omissions should be called to our attention so that they may be corrected. Contact us at news@omahadailyrecord.com.