The Webster Collegiate Dictionary defines divisive as: creating disunity or dissension.
II is the word that describes the state of this country’s politics, now more than ever. It is also something that must be overcome, sooner than later, or we are no longer going to have the country that we love.
About six months ago a very close friend expressed concern there was going to be an attepted coup and takeover by the right wing extremist. At the time, I discounted his concerns. I felt that there was no way it could happen in this country. There are too many protections and no one would be fool enough to try it. Here we are today, five days after an insurrection that took over our nation’s capitol building. An insurrection encouraged by President Trump. Only a fool will think that it won’t happen again if we do not wise up.
The insurrection was a natural outcome of the divisiveness that has been building slowly since the 1980’s. It started with the political campaigns of the 80s which increased personal attacks and misrepresenation of facts about one’s opponent. It gained ground with the increase in syndicated radio talk shows, cable TV news networks and loopholes in campaign financing. It got ugly after Obama’s election and all the false statements about his birthplace and the passing of the Affordable Care Act. The primary campaigns leading to the nominations of Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump in 2016 and the ugly campaign rhetoric, name calling, and false statements by both candidates added more fuel to a fire that was already blazing. The last four years has seen divisiveness rise to the point it was out of control.. Biden’s victory and Trump’s refusal to concede and his behavior since the election gave rise tothe explosion that we saw on Wednesday January 6, 2021, a very sad day in the history of this country.
The divisiveness we have seen in the last decade will continue as long as we elect politicians who cannot disagree without being disagreeable, or who think compromise is a weakness. We must start choosing our politicians based on the strength of their moral character in addition to their position on the issues that are important to us. Throwing our support behind politicians without strong moral character is what has gotten us to where we are today. We have it in our power to end the cycle we are in today. We need to demand more of our politicians.
We also need to demand more of ourselves. We need to become independent thinkers and do our homework. We must learn to separate fact from fiction and truth from lies. We need to know that words matter. Words of hate, bigotry, racism cannot be tolerated. We need to be independent of the two political parties and not support a candidate just because the candidate is a Republican or Democrat. We need to choose candidates who believe in the common good and will act accordingly. We need candidtates who will do what is right for the country and not what is right for themselves or their own self interest.
The next four years are going to crucial to the future of this country. We are going to find out if we have what it takes to get back on track so we can continue to be the greatest country in the world.
Stay safe. Social distance. Wash your hands regularly. Wear your mask.
Quote of the Day: “Strength lies in differences, not in similarities” Stephen R. Covey.