Balance, Politics and the Constant Pursuit of Truth

Lately, I’ve been feeling politically paralyzed, like a game of tug-of-war. Red state or blue state, Republican or Democrat, gun rights or gang violence—it seems everything is painted in extremes, making it exhausting to stay informed without getting pulled into the chaos. As a PR professional, investor and advisor to early-stage growth companies charting their courses and weathering the storms, I know balance is essential. It’s what makes a story believable. And I can’t help but think the same approach would help all of us better navigate the political divides in which we find ourselves only weeks from a presidential election.

In PR, like journalism, you can’t credibly tell one side of the story without understanding the other. You don’t gain trust that way. In politics, though, we’ve lost that art of balance. I find myself watching CNN and FOX, reading left-leaning and right-leaning newsletters, and subscribing to both parties' texts, which I often delete despite robo-texting. It’s not fun, but it’s necessary. Here's the point: if we only listen to one narrative, we miss the ability to understand all angles and to solve problems differently. Essentially we miss the full picture.

Voting on issues rather than along party lines feels like the only way to stay true to the values that matter most. Whether it’s education, healthcare, or economic policy, we should vote for the solutions, not the slogans. Blind party loyalty doesn’t move us forward. What does move us is understanding the nuances and considering both sides' point of view.

Take gun violence as an example. In 2022, there were over 48,000 gun-related deaths in the U.S. according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. While Republicans focus on individual gun rights, Democrats point to community violence. Both sides miss the full story—most gun deaths, at 54%, are suicides, not just gang or mass shootings. Economic inequality? It’s not a red or blue issue. Both red states and blue states face growing wealth gaps—California, a blue state, ranks consistently in the top five of the US’ largest poverty rates, while red states like Mississippi struggle with high poverty levels too. Statistics back this up—whether it’s the rise in gun violence or economic inequality, both sides of the aisle contribute to the problem, and both hold pieces of the solution. It’s not about red versus blue, but about how we move forward together.

In the end, ask: how do we stay kind, smart, and objective in a heated election year or in any kind of madness? By putting ourselves in others’ shoes and seeking balance, we see that the truth often lies in the middle. Life thrives on listening and understanding, not on division.

As an advisor, investor and mentor, strive to understand a topic from numerous angles. This understanding lends itself to the best ways to educate and to influence others about issues and solutions.

Who do you listen to and partner with to ensure credibility through objectivity?