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Micah Marie Caro
Prof. Kane
English 115 mw
18 October 2016
Essay 2.1: Opposing Perceptions
There are too many opinions and perceptions in this world for there to be one common
reality. Perceptions can be affected by many different things; education, background, family and
friends, philosophy, etc. The way we view things and go about it determines the way we perceive
reality. Politics exemplifies this theory with tremendous evidence. We constantly see politicians
from different parties in disagreement and cant help but wonder how differently they understand
reality. Especially in this years presidential election, we can see the tremendous gaps in our two
main party candidates policies and views. I am convinced that a composite reality might not
exist because everyone has opinions that are too different, and this is shown through political
party divisions and even disputes within a single party.
In this years presidential election, the democrat and republican gap is extremely apparent
the two main candidates could barely agree on a single thing. Early in their campaigning on
June 2nd, Clinton gave a speech on foreign policies and national security, however, she also
regarded her tremendous opposition to her opponent. The democrat nominee expressed her
concern, Donald Trumps ideas aren't just different they are dangerously incoherent he is
temperamentally unfit to hold an office that requires knowledge, stability, and immense
responsibility, (Clinton). Clinton gives a gist of Trumps overall policies and what they stand
for, and shows how hers completely differs. For example, Clintons plan to defeat ISIS vs.

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Trumps nonexistent plan, her stance on strong alliances vs. his faulty relationships with other
countries, and so on. Clinton never seemed to agree with Trump in any way, and it really showed
how much these candidates realities are contrasted.
In response to Clintons June 2nd foreign policy and national security speech, Trump had
a rally the following day, sharing his point of view and a few policies. Although Trumps speech
was much less formal than Clintons because it was a rally and not a foreign policies speech
his views in comparison were very clearly in opposition. Trumps famous slogan, Make
America great again, makes me wonder: dont both candidates have intentions of America being
great? Even through this saying we are well aware that the candidates have completely different
perceptions of a great America. Trump emphasizes in his rally speech that if hes elected
president, he will build a wall separating our country from Mexico enforcing his very strict
policy on keeping immigrants out of the U.S (Trump). This policy tremendously differs from
Clintons policy; in which she plans to help out over 40 million immigrants become a part of the
country (Valverde). These two different policies are like black and white, with no gray area at all.
While both candidates want reform, they stand on two completely different sides of the spectrum
of policies and opinions.
The first presidential debate took place on September 26th and we were presented with a
chance to see our candidates views in contrast to each other. Communication is not a reliable
factor in this situation. Throughout the debate, the candidates are constantly in disagreement,
interrupting one another, and just not fully listening to what the other has to say. When speaking
on the topic of creating jobs, the candidates brought up the manufacturing industry and trade
(Transcript, Trump). Trump began to accuse Clinton of being incredibly supportive of a trade

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agreement that can seem like a bad deal, but did have as many pros as it did cons to the economy.
To Trumps accusations, Clinton responded, Well, Donald, I know you live in your own reality,
but that is not the facts, (Transcript, Clinton). These two are in different worlds and cant get
their own realities across to each other. How unalike the candidates think are especially
emphasized in this debate. Yet, both candidates believe that they are correct and their opponent is
wrong. Despite the opportunity to listen to each other in this debate, they stuck to their own
opinions hard, and argued countless times. Communication is not necessarily key, especially to
the presidential candidates, who are still perceiving reality the way they see as most fit, in huge
contrast to their opponents.
Not only are our presidential candidates in great opposition, but the nation is more
divided than ever in terms of political parties (Lauter). Most American voters are either
extremely red or exceptionally blue. Because of this, its obvious that most of the country are just
like our candidates in terms of politics: taking opinions and policies and using them to shape how
they view and live their lives. There are opinions for everything and the parties usually take
opposite stances on these opinions. For example, most of those in the GOP are known to be
antigay and so they will choose a candidate who has the same views (Kiefer). However, this is
problematic towards millennials, most of whom are in support of gay rights, so naturally they
will stray off to the more blue side of politics (Kiefer). Gay rights is just one of the many topics
that separate parties, making the divide wider and wider, pulling apart realities. But not only are
parties divided, there are even disagreements within parties themselves. Many republicans found
it hard to support their partys presidential candidate, Trump, after vulgar and inappropriate tapes

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were released of him (Wisckol). The republicans who couldnt stand with Trump shifted over and
decided that their realities didnt quite fit with his.
Everyones realities are not common. A big part of peoples lives, especially in America,
are their political parties and where they are in terms of policies and standpoints. Politics paint a
clear picture of the differences in opinions and overall ways of going about life. This years
presidential candidates represent two large groups, and the way we see them interact and
disagree can exemplify how their parties do too. Even within parties there are disagreements,
confirming that there is potentially no composite reality. Although communication is important
in general, it doesn't necessarily mean that it is a sturdy solution to a common reality.
Nevertheless, all of this doesnt mean that interactions cant be civil and productive. Willingness
to listen with an open mind and just being a decent human being contribute to uncommon
realities fitting in with one another despite differences.

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Works Cited

Clinton, Hillary. Hillary Clinton Speech in San Diego, CA, on June 2, 2016. Road to the White
House C-Span. Youtube. 2 June 2016, San Diego. Campaign event.
Trump, Donald. San Jose RallyDonald Trump Hits Back at Hillary Clinton (6-2-16). News
Universal Channel. Youtube. 3 June 2016, San Jose. Campaign event.
Valverde, Miriam. "COMPARE THE CANDIDATES: CLINTON VS. TRUMP ON
IMMIGRATION." Tampa Bay Times, 15 July 2016, Tampa Bay. ProQuest Database. http://
libproxy.csun.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com.libproxy.csun.edu/docview/1804873964?
accountid=7285.
Transcript of the First Debate (9-26-16). New York Times, 27 September 2016, New York.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/27/us/politics/transcript-debate.html?_r=0.
Lauter, David. "Life of Party is Dislike of Other: Poll: Worsening Views of Foes Driving
Political Divide in US." South Florida Sun - Sentinel, 25 June 2016, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. http://
libproxy.csun.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com.libproxy.csun.edu/docview/1799329138?
accountid=7285.
Kiefer, Francine. GOP pollster: Candidates seen as antigay will never win voters under 30. The
Christian Science Monitor, 31 March 2015, Boston. LexisNexis Database. http://
www.lexisnexis.com.libproxy.csun.edu/lnacui2api/auth/checkbrowser.do?
ipcounter=1&cookieState=0&rand=0.5251568318508487&bhjs=1&bhqs=1.
Wisckol, Martin. "Rohrabacher: GOP Leaders 'Gutless' for Bailing on Trump." Orange County
Register, 11 October 2016, Santa Ana. ProQuest Database. http://libproxy.csun.edu/login?
url=http://search.proquest.com.libproxy.csun.edu/docview/1827776835?accountid=7285.