Our Common Ground: Insights from Four Years of Listening to American Voters

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For four years, Diane Hessan engaged in weekly conversations with voters across the United States, uncovering insights that challenge common perceptions about American society. She highlights a pervasive cultural sickness characterized by an inability to listen, leading to suspicion and division, which ultimately harms our collective mental health. To explore potential paths forward, Hessan conducted extensive interviews with 500 voters from diverse backgrounds and political spectrums, covering topics from race and gun control to immigration and climate change. The findings reveal that Americans share more common ground than often assumed, and the nation is less polarized than it appears. A significant majority supports commonsense gun licensing, is pro-immigration, acknowledges climate change, and recognizes the seriousness of the coronavirus. They prioritize family and are eager to work for a better life, while expressing frustration with Washington's inefficiency. Through a collection of columns published in the Boston Globe, Hessan presents a fresh perspective on American values and the potential for unity. The solution to our divisions lies in reducing hostility, fostering understanding, and treating one another with dignity. By recognizing our shared values, we can work together towards a brighter future for America.