Thinking Aloud

The problem with 'what's the matter with you?'

A difference of opinion does not mean there is something wrong with the other party

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If you are looking for an example of all that is wrong with political debate today, the reply thread of any tweet sent by United States President Donald Trump is a top-notch resource.

On any given day, on any given tweet, there will be a host of people from both sides engaging in petty partisan name-calling and everyone essentially accusing everyone else of being a racist, a bigot or a traitor.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on April 14, 2019, with the headline The problem with 'what's the matter with you?'. Subscribe