It's not the same.
I'm not saying that political discourse has ever been good. But we've been reduced to sound bites, Twitter posts, 30-second political ads, and Twitter posts.
Dwight Eisenhower complained that no one could talk properly about a national issue in a five-minute media event. This fall, political candidates are expected to expound their points during the CPD presidential debates in 2-minute speeches. This is completely ridiculous. That one of the two major candidates is unable to hold a continuous thought for 2 minutes isn't the point. Our nation, and the world, face important, difficult questions. A 140-character Twitter post cannot answer them. A 2-minute speech cannot answer them.
The public will not always understand complex issues, but it is our responsibility as voters to make an effort. Slinging insults, slogans, and talking points do not do the job.
As the world grows more complex, we as a people need to develop more tolerance for complexity. We need to stop demanding quick, easy answers. The world isn't a 140-character place.
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