I don't know about you guys but I have grown so weary of all the divisiveness and infighting in this country. This isn't the country I knew growing up, and it isn't the country I want my son to grow up in. I just want it to stop. I've studied history and politics for the last 40 years and I'm pretty convinced that we are at the crossroads. Large, democratic, multicultural nation-states are difficult to maintain. That's just a historical fact. The current toxic political climate in this country is impossible to sustain, and if we don't do something about it soon the country is going to split apart.
In this forum we have debated each other, fought, and complained about all the problems we face. But we never really talk about what we need to do to solve the biggest threat staring us right in the face. So how in the hell do we bring this country together? Here are a few of my thoughts:
In this forum we have debated each other, fought, and complained about all the problems we face. But we never really talk about what we need to do to solve the biggest threat staring us right in the face. So how in the hell do we bring this country together? Here are a few of my thoughts:
- The biggest problem in my opinion is the media. They used to be about reporting the facts. Now they are all about getting people riled up. Both sides do it, and it needs to end. The 4th Estate has failed us, and it's high time that we as citizens let them know that. A good start would be a citizens action group - composed of liberals and conservatives - that hits them where it hurts - BOYCOTTS. Force them to change.
- Our Senators and Congressmen suck. Their primary goal isn't to make the country a better place - it's to get re-elected. Time for term limits. Let's get back to governmental positions being public service.
- Enough with the activism. It's toxic and unnecessary. We as a society have evolved. Americans are a very fair people. I reject the notion that America is hopelessly racist, sexist, homophobic... The facts don't back it up. We have equal protection under law for all minority groups. Yes we still have some systemic issues to work through, and we can do this if we educate people rather than demonize them.
- END IDENTITY POLITICS. By definition it is divisive. It's contrary to what MLK's end dream was. It served its purpose and now it is time for it to go.
- Reject politicians who don't further this goal of bring the country together. I voted for Donald Trump in 2016 and in hindsight I'm ashamed of it. Good policies aren't enough. Character matters.