What a beautiful Independence Day, and opportunity to take a step towards healing our divided nation. These last few years have been brutal for America and we are in emotional tatters. The COVID pandemic has heightened tensions and disharmony between the political Left and Right, and there seems no end in sight. If we are not careful we will slide from the United States to the Divided States of America. Let this Independence Day 2021 be a reminder:
The United States of America is far greater than the simple sum of her parts
Our Founding Fathers were acutely aware of the mighty power of cohesion. They gathered the initial 13 British colonies into a country, realizing each colony on its own was relatively weak, yet commanded mighty authority and power as the United States of America. This was the only way to gain true independence and separation from Britain.
The American bald eagle first appeared as a symbol of the United States on a Massachusetts copper cent coined in 1776. It became the official emblem of the United States in 1787 after six years of Congressional deliberation and dispute.
"The Founding Fathers made an appropriate choice when they selected the bald eagle as the emblem of the nation. The fierce beauty and proud independence of this great bird aptly symbolizes the strength and freedom of America." - John F. Kennedy
If we dissect an eagle into its parts, a wing separate from the whole is obviously useless. Its brilliance is only revealed by the fully formed eagle in flight - each wing, and each part essential and integral to the whole.
So too is America with her 50 states a force much more powerful than each left to its own accord. The political Right and Left coexist, constantly challenging one another. In fact they are not completely antithetical to one another but necessary cohorts - pushing and pulling one another to extract the essential action of the day.
When zoomed in we see Red and Blue state blocks like pixels on a computer screen. However if we zoom out far enough the whole country appears purple. Every child realizes that mixing red and blue paint makes purple, but do we adults remember? Perhaps everything we need to know WAS learned in kindergarten.
Today roughly half the nation identifies with the Democratic Party and the other half identifies as Republican. This is an important and revealing fact. Whether we want to admit it or not, millions of people on the other side of the the political aisle cannot be considered "wrong". Dismissing them as such is risky and can lead to Americas ultimate dissolution if we're not careful. That is a price none of us should be willing to pay.
Dismissing half the country is as wrong as it is dangerous
If we cannot see another's point of view it is because we are too close to the picture. Take a few steps back, pause, listen, and study history- not with an eye to discredit the other, but with and eye to recognize and value the contribution of both political sides. Yes, it is tough, but we can do this.
Don't focus on current political players, but rather take in the American country and history as a whole. Think of the entirety of America and the hope we represent around the world. We have a responsibility to our forefathers and those who have sacrificed their lives for the United States of America. We owe it to them to seek cohesion above all else.
We can disagree with each other, yes, but there should be nothing that turns the hearts of Americans against each other. Too many people have fought and died for our current freedom to allow this level of divisiveness to go unchecked. Our political adversaries around the world are laughing in their seats as we find political enemies within our own people without so much as a bullet from them. We are better than this.
There should be nothing that turns American hearts against each other
It's not the Democrats fault or the Republicans fault it's OUR fault we've let America divide. We need to perform a 180 with our finger to point it straight back at ourselves because the enemy is not out there - it is within. Take a look around at friends and family and note who you regularly cavort with and what side of the political aisle they prefer. Chances are your favorite buddies sit on the same side of the political aisle
Of course there will always be some division but if we can't sit in the same rooms as our family and friends, how can we possibly remain a country with the millions of others like them? The solution is as grass roots simple as it gets, and it needs to start today. Reach out to friends and family and meet up for drinks...dinner might be too long! LOL Have a conversation about anything and everything. Most people have more in common than not, and our similarities likely outweigh our differences.
True personal growth occurs when we push ourselves beyond our comfort level
Healing the country begins when we as individuals decide to listen to the people surrounding us who may have different ideas. How else can we expect better from our top government officials? Discussing alternative points of view is healthy as it keeps the country constantly reinventing itself for new times. We need to respect and learn from one another, and most of all listen.
Since the early 20th century Republican Presidents are generally voted to power when the country and economy are running smoothly. This is the time to appropriately cull social programs that are no longer useful, and reign in government spending. Without this natural pruning from the Republican right, prolonged government spending could potentially derail the economy and nation.
Democratic government can be likened to a first aid kit of sorts. After catastrophe strikes in the form of economic recession, pandemic, or other shock, a Democratic President is generally voted into power to increase government spending. Keynesian economists value expansive government fiscal policy to effectively stimulate the economy and mitigate downward economic spiral.
This was glaringly apparent during the Great Depression beginning in 1929 while President Herbert Hoover was in power. Economists agree that Hoovers lack of government spending likely prolonged and even deepened the economic recession leading to the largest recession ever in the United States. Hindsight is 20/20 and since then America has consistently voted a Democratic President following all subsequent economic recessions.
This is not about cherry picking through our history to prove a particular political superiority, but rather to illustrate that America naturally weaves from one political side to the next depending on the current time and situation. It is to show in no uncertain terms that each political party, both the Democrats and Republicans, are equally valuable to America as suited for different economies. The proof is recorded in our American history.
When people grow disgruntled and weary of the reigning political party, they naturally vote the other way next federal election to find new equilibrium. Extreme Left and Right lifers don’t have a valid foot to stand on as one political side is not superior to the other. They are equally important wings on on the same American eagle.
The point is that no democratic nation in the world is exempt from economic recession and perfect economic balance isn't possible. It's precisely the flux between Republican and Democratic government that IS the balance if we pull far back enough in scope, spanning many decades.
Government naturally weaves between Right and Left over time
You say you still hate the Republican Party? Did you hate when President Eisenhower effectively ended the Korean War in 1953? You dislike how Ronald Reagan played a key role in ending the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union? Was it so terrible when George H.W. Bush and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev signed a broad arms reduction agreement leading to the end of the Cold War? We cannot be so short sighted and cynical in our thinking.
You say you can never respect the Democratic Party? How about when they pulled us from 6 of the last 7 economic recessions? You can't stand how Woodrow Wilson ratified the 19th amendment letting women finally vote? You really resent John F. Kennedy's drive and success at putting the first man, Neil Armstrong on the moon? We need to respect all accomplishments no matter the administration.
The general public needs to understand basic economics to realize BOTH Democratic and Republican parties are necessary and appropriate for different situations. If it weren't this way, history would reveal a preference.
America naturally weaves between Blue and Red government to reveal a middle path
When we drive our car on a straight long road we do not hold the wheel steady. We are constantly making tiny left and right adjustments in order to keep between the lines. This is how our car heads straight ahead over the long range. It is the same way politically. There's no need for divisiveness and hatred in a system that NEEDS to migrate to stay in the middle.
America holds no position long enough to become stagnant or inefficient, and that is her brilliance! No one political end has ever, or will ever, be the answer. Whether we are lucid enough to see it, America's vibrancy and success - lauded world wide - is in her knowing swing.
Happy 4th of July my friends!
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