By MARK JOSLYN
Insight Kansas
Political polarization grabs headlines. But it’s not the whole story.
Majorities in both parties believe there is more common ground than the news media and political leaders suggest. They report having constructive conversations with those holding opposing political views, and despite differences, say they’ve often worked together to address community challenges. Majorities in both parties also agree on fundamental democratic principles and overwhelmingly oppose election violence. They believe their parties should never tolerate officials who back groups promoting violence against the other party.
Majorities in both parties think workers should earn at least the federal minimum wage, that government should establish a national paid family and medical leave program, that companies should limit greenhouse gas emissions, that immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children should have a pathway to citizenship, and that campaign spending should have limits.
Supermajorities endorse term and age limits across all three branches of government. They support photo ID and citizenship verification to vote, alongside measures to make voting more convenient.
Even on issues presented as hopelessly divided, common ground exists. Both parties support abortion access when a mother’s health is at risk, when there are lethal fetal abnormalities, or in cases of rape or incest. At the same time, 80 percent of Americans agree that abortion should be illegal in the final trimester. Nine in ten say birth control is morally acceptable and want government to safeguard access to contraception. More than two-thirds say having access to in vitro fertilization is a good thing, while majorities of each party favor government protecting access and requiring insurance to cover costs.
Guns produce agreement as well. About 90 percent favor requiring criminal background checks on all gun buyers. Both parties favor background checks at private gun shows, support a 30-day waiting period after purchase, raising the legal buying age, and confiscating guns from people deemed a danger to themselves and others. And when asked whether handgun possession should be banned by law, 80 percent said no.
Polls show similar cross-party agreement in Kansas. Majorities in both parties back Medicaid expansion, legal marijuana, and higher taxes on cigarettes and alcohol. They agree that women, not politicians, should make their own choices about abortion, and that legal migrants fuel economic growth.
Kansans agree on affordable childcare, saying it strengthens the economy, removes a major barrier to women’s progress, and deserves federal action to expand access. Both sides favor increasing the state's minimum wage and consider postsecondary education a wise investment for students and the state.
These examples reveal a very different story than the headlines. The story is about connection and collaboration, not conflict and cancellation. This new year offers a chance to embrace that story and rediscover the common ground in our politics.
Dr. Mark Joslynis a professor of political science at the University of Kansas.