As I listen to or read the news, it seems the vitriol is getting louder and more caustic. At times, talking with neighbors about the state of our Nation and State, it seems that the depth of the Grand Canyon is less than the rift between neighbors. Our conversations have become masked by hyperbole and our patience for different opinions is “gone with the wind." We recede into our cubbyholes or lash out with vengeance all due to a sense of hopelessness.
So, I will edit a well-known slogan that, if taken to heart, may open our senses to the eddies and currents our nation now tumbles through. I propose we “Make America UNITED Again”. I don’t mean this to be quaint, but rather provocative. If “WE, the people” are to realize our nation’s struggle that “all humans are created equal”, then we must first embrace each other.
I ask everyone who lives in our community to reach out to your neighbor, work partner, family member and share the goodness of each day. Then share how the challenges of the impeachment, the agonies of a dysfunctional government, the pains of working hard and receiving little affect our national and communal sense of place. Talk to folks, but even more important, listen to others whether at home, at work, in the market or even in the media. My parents taught me that “If I have a difference of opinion, then I have the opportunity to learn and the responsibility to listen.”
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If we are to “Make America United Again”, to heal the wounds caused by divisive partisanship and one-upmanship, then we must listen --- with respect.
BRYAN BATES
Doney Park
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For many years I've been advocating for unity as well, and pretty much gave up on it. It cannot happen without dealing with the root causes in an efficient manner. Fostering division by the means of multi-culturalism, diversity, political correctness in a dogmatic fashion does the exact opposite; vilification and subsequent re-writing of history, relentlessly attacking the fundamental goodness of America and her people, frowning upon patriotism, hatred for long-established moral standards; wilful destruction of individualism unless politically expedient, monuments, constitutional rights; blaming America first for every ill in the world, discriminating for the sake of equality, sacrificing tradition for the sake of political expediency - and much, much more that are detrimental to loyalty to the nation, therefore detrimental to unity. When a segment of society daily declares you as enemy, you know that that faction is your enemy.
There was a brief sense of unity after 9/11/2001; God forbid another attack on our sovereignty again: aside from the obvious reasons, such terror would empower those further who are selling out our sovereignty and exercise division, rather than unite us again. Also consider this: there is no ambiguity between right and wrong, good and evil, liberty and bondage; narcissistic, ignorant interpretation of these is fertile ground for animosity, and there is no benefit in attempting to compromise with evil.
“Make America United Again”. Really? And the first thing you do is take a veiled swipe at the President.
We are a nation completely divided into two basic groups. We share almost no common values. One group promotes freedom, liberty and governance within the confines of our Constitution. The other group perceives the Constitution as an impediment. They prefer to impose mandates, restrictions, taxes and severe regulations on our personal freedoms. They believe in the “all mighty” power of government. Our nation is at a tipping point. Instead of accepting the outcome of the last election, they have enveloped our President with and endless folly of investigations since his inauguration. They’ve never taken some time for self-reflection. They are so consumed with hatred for the President that they are willing to destroy their own party in a failed attempt to remove him. They know that they cannot defeat him in an election. What will they do this coming November when they lose again? “Make America United Again”? Give me a break.
Matthew. I have no hatred for the poor unstable President. When confronted with constitutional limits on his self-enrichment, he reacts by trying to shred our Constitution. My response to Trump is one of pity, revulsion, fear for his next outburst and where it might plunge us. He is a spoiled trust fund scion, thrust into a world of adults. Give me a break. Thanks.
Knowing that they couldn't defeat Trump in the 2020 election, the Democratic Party, with the support of the deep state, attempted to overthrown him in a legislative coup. Even though their case collapsed when their start witness, George Sonderland, admitted that there was no quid pro quo, the democrats are proceeding with the impeachment inquiry. Things will become real interesting at the upcoming senate trail when the republicans will be able to expose this coup attempt for what it was by calling such star witnesses as John Brennan, Hunter Biden and Hillary Clinton. -Zeff Nelson
Your basic premise (stated is paragraph 2) is that ‘We the People’ are all struggling to realize that ‘all humans are created equal.’ Nothing could be further from the reality of Trump’s hardcore base. The agenda there is that “We are the People who are created more equal than anyone else.” Every vile act done by Trump and cheered on at his World Wrestling Entertainment rallies underscore that message. If the Trump base truly believed in equality and the importance of embracing our fellow human beings, they would immediately turn their backs on ripping apart families and putting children in cages, demeaning whole segments of our citizenry by labeling them, rapists, drug dealers, and criminals, demeaning and degrading women, and defaming religions that are not Evangelical Christian. The Trump base would unite against gutting the National Treasury on behalf of the billionaires with the debt coming due against their children’s future. The Trump base would turn against Trump’s love affairs with murderous dictators and his bumbling attempts to be like them.
I’ve listened enough to the Trump lies to know what he presents is not a difference of opinion. He is spitting forth venom and hate. His words call forth the toxic poison that is brewing inside too many in our country and gives credence to their hate, their disdain. History provides the lesson when large numbers of people rally behind a madman and make him a hero in order to gain a victory over ‘Others.’ It is the responsibility for those who do indeed wish to see our World evolve toward the goal of a single Humanity to rise in opposition to Trump. Anyone who continues to bow before Trump after seeing him in action for three years does not deserve respect—they deserve pity.
Canyonram - I'm so sorry things didn't work out your way, get over it. Your conspiracy theories are childish at best. It will all be over in 4.90 years....
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