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INTERVIEW ON THE PRICE OF BUSINESS SHOW, MEDIA PARTNER OF THIS SITE.

Recently Kevin Price, Host of the nationally syndicated Price of Business Show, welcomed Paul Vecchione to provide another commentary in a series.

The Paul Vecchione Commentaries

It’s one thing to dissect the root causes of societal scourges like substance abuse. It’s nothing new, but it’s on the radar. It’s one thing to address the needs of our citizenry when it comes to mental wellness, a raging crisis that is impacting children and communities nationwide, and it’s on the radar.

What’s particularly troubling is the trend we are seeing when it comes to the politics that have gripped and divided this country for nearly a decade. We can all point fingers, hell, we’ve been doing that since this latest bout of political discourse infected the United States like a flesh eating virus on an already centuries old, festering wound.

But what good has that done? The United States finds itself at a critical juncture, with divisive and malevolent political discourse threatening the very fabric of its society. The alarm isn’t just about the present; it echoes into the future we’re shaping for our children. As parents, educators, and citizens, we must acknowledge this growing concern and take action to foster a more constructive and respectful political environment.

The current state of political discourse in the U.S. is not just about differing opinions. It’s a chasm that has grown so wide that it often feels insurmountable. Dialogues have turned into shouting matches, and opposing views are met with contempt rather than curiosity. This isn’t the legacy we want to leave for our children.

It’s imperative to bridge this divide. Our children are growing up in an environment where political polarization is the norm, where compromise is seen as weakness, and where the art of respectful disagreement is becoming a relic of the past. This is not the kind of political maturity we want to impart to our future leaders.

So, how do we navigate away from this path of divisiveness? The answer lies not in grandiose gestures but in everyday actions and choices. It begins with us, in our homes, communities, and local institutions.

We need to elevate our interactions and listen to each other in a more tolerant and constructive manner. I.e.follow the guidance of the better angels of our nature, echoing the sentiment of a great American in another nation divided long ago. It’s a reminder that despite our differences, there is a shared humanity and a common good that binds us.

So let us begin, where all that divides us can be remedied to unite us, with the common thread of our education system and knowledge.

An informed citizenry is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Our educational institutions should prioritize teaching critical thinking, media literacy, and the importance of civic engagement. This isn’t about indoctrination; it’s about empowering our youth with the tools to think independently and engage constructively in political discourse.

But it’s not all about what our kids learn in school. It’s about what they learn at home, from the adults they trust the most to show them the way. Because our actions set precedent. Would it be so bad to have robust discussions without resorting to hostility? No. Or encourage them to ask questions, seek multiple perspectives, and form their own informed opinions? Hardly.

Americans have seemed also to have lost the sense of community that has bound us together in the past. Social media, busy schedules and a deluge of digital overload have robbed us of our community bonds. Rekindling the importance of community, where people from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds can come together for a common cause, lies the key to common ground, fostering empathy and understanding. Which are the antidotes to divisiveness.

With this comes accountability. The echo chambers of one sided media and the politicians they promote are fuel to this fire. At some point truth needs to trump lies, unity needs to trump divide, and constructive dialogue over partisanship.

We need to foster an environment where respectful disagreement is not just tolerated but celebrated. Disagreement is a natural and healthy part of a democracy. What matters is how we handle these disagreements. Teaching our children to engage in respectful discourse, even when they disagree vehemently, and negotiating these disagreements are skills that will serve them well throughout their lives.

In the endless cycle of election seasons in American politics, we find ourselves on the doorstep of yet another presidential election. One that promises to relight the embers of divide. But it doesn’t have to be this way. This time around we can learn from the past to safeguard our future. Will we? It’s not hyperbole to suggest that most of us agree on the basic fundamentals of our society. They’ll always be extremes, but opportunities to seek the middle may be slipping into this American oblivion. Let’s reverse this trend, for all our sake, especially our children.

Paul was born and raised in Suffolk County Long Island and has called it home for the past 40 years where he and his wife are raising their two children. Paul has been an educator on Long Island since 2004 and holds two master’s degrees from Long Island colleges. With so much vested in this region, Paul has taken a keen interest in what has become one of Long Island’s most devastating realities; substance abuse and addiction. Having worked with teenagers his entire professional career, Paul offers a unique perspective into the mitigating factors that drive adolescent behaviors, particularly those which can lead to destructive decisions. Substance abuse and its ensuing crippling effects on the lives of people and their families has Paul’s attention and it is for these reasons Paul is the CEO of Long Island P.R.E.P. and Mission Z Podcast.

Connect with him through social media:

Twitter/X: @PLongislandprep

Learn more at https://www.longislandprep.org/.