Posted on 07/09/2020 8:43:51 AM PDT by Kaslin
It certainly doesn't seem like we can put faith in the media or political parties, and, unfortunately, a growing number of Americans say that they no longer trust each other either. In a world that is as divided and self-righteous as ours is currently, this should come as no surprise.
This level of division offers opportunities for our adversaries to cause strife around the globe that, under normal circumstances, would warrant a U.S. response that now might be impossible as a result of our national division. Furthermore, it seems to be allowing domestic militant and extremist groups to incite racial tensions and violence that further divides us. In essence, we are experiencing a significant decline in national unity, which is perhaps the greatest threat to our nation both domestically and globally.
According to the Pew Research Center: "Americans think the public's trust has been declining in both the federal government and in their fellow citizens. Three-quarters of Americans say that their fellow citizens' trust in the federal government has been shrinking, and 64 percent believe that about peoples' trust in each other."
We are a nation built by our unified strength and once unified voice. Sadly, in today's America, there is not a single voice calling for unity. Instead, we hear multiple voices calling for unity among their respective camps. As a result, we've become a nation of many tribes, each working against one other. We've become everything Abraham Lincoln warned against, in his famous "House Divided" speech from when he accepted the Illinois Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate when he stated, "A house divided against itself cannot stand."
The government also plays a significant role in this division and it seems that most Americans aren't letting the government get away unscathed. According to the same Pew Research study, "about seven-in-ten Americans (71 percent) think people are less confident in each other than they were 20 years ago."
Anxiety and tensions amongst America's citizens are at an all-time high, which causes further distrust among groups and fertilizes the fields of discord. This is then exacerbated by racial tensions and ideological shifts, which have become more apparent in the wake of George Floyd's murder at the hands of police in Minneapolis. For so long, the United States has been the world's greatest stable force for freedom and democracy. While that status currently stands, it is at a weaker point than any other period in modern history. In fact, some might see this as a perfect opportunity to exploit America's vulnerability. By not correcting the problems within our country, we are all but inviting such exploitation by our enemies.
When I was growing up, I understood that despite our differences, we held one thing in common: We were Americans first and foremost. Nothing came before that -- not religion, not political ideology, not skin color and not sexual orientation. Tragically, however, that sentiment appears to be a foreign concept today.
Could it be that we have failed a generation of Americans who have absolutely no appreciation for the past, both good and bad? Or is it that we ourselves, the elders, have failed those who came before us? Whatever the case may be, the question of who we can and who we must trust should always be simple. We must put our faith and trust in God and in one other. We must know that when things become difficult we are able to look to our spiritual father as well as our fellow Americans for support.
Despite how bleak things might appear, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Eighty-four percent of Americans believe things can change. This means that despite this dark and challenging moment, there are millions who still believe in America and all that she stands for. The value system we maintain is so great and strong that people believe that our government and society can create a better future for all -- if we're willing to put in the difficult work, together, as Americans.
Bump
“A house divided against itself cannot stand.”
I don’t see how this gap can be bridged.
When I was growing up, I understood that despite our differences, we held one thing in common: We were Americans first and foremost. Nothing came before that — not religion, not political ideology, not skin color and not sexual orientation. …To quote Yoda, “That is why you fail!”
If you read William Shirer's "Collapse of the Third Republic," you will find out this is why Germany defeated France in six weeks in 1940. The Germans were good, but they weren't that good. The French army was a reflection of a divided, hollowed-out society, and could not fight effectively.
We have come unglued.
They keep changing the language every so often. Remember “alternative lifestyles”?
I'd start the initial question (article title) with "whom".
Who or whom -- them's fightin' words. :)
"Fellow-citizens, the ark of your covenant is the Declaration of independence. Your Mount Ebal, is the confederacy of separate state sovereignties, and your Mount Gerizim is the Constitution of the United States. In that scene of tremendous and awful solemnity, narrated in the Holy Scriptures, there is not a curse pronounced against the people, upon Mount Ebal, not a blessing promised them upon Mount Gerizim, which your posterity may not suffer or enjoy, from your and their adherence to, or departure from, the principles of the Declaration of Independence, practically interwoven in the Constitution of the United States. Lay up these principles, then, in your hearts, and in your souls – bind them for signs upon your hands, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes – teach them to your children, speaking of them when sitting in your houses, when walking by the way, when lying down and when rising up – write them upon the doorplates of your houses, and upon your gates – cling to them as to the issues of life – adhere to them as to the cords of your eternal salvation. So may your children’s children at the next return of this day of jubilee, after a full century of experience under your national Constitution, celebrate it again in the full enjoyment of all the blessings recognized by you in the commemoration of this day, and of all the blessings promised to the children of Israel upon Mount Gerizim, as the reward of obedience to the law of God." - John Quincy Adams, "Jubilee" Address
The very intentional Balkanization the left has been pursuing and pushing in this country for decades.
Donald Trump, the only honest,American loving man in Washington!
We must embrace an optimistic agenda. Trump must mark a new path of positive goals—not just bumper sticker slogans. New goals and new ways to unify the people. Such ideas as the following.\:
1. A new Holiday,Maybe Juneteeth? or another day to focus on women or Native People.
2. A National goal to finish the great Crazy Horse Monument with a museum to honor Native People.
3. A new base on the Moon—Not just a visit but set up an experimental station to explore and develop a stepping stone to Mars.
4. A new class of Battleship—armed with rail Guns. An armored monster to be named after Native Tribes. The first one, the USS Mohawk (a New York Tribe).
5. An American Tall ship for Annapolis—The USS UNITED STATES. An Iron hulled Bark for Cadets.
6. A new Statue of Liberty for the west coast—At Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay. Make it look like the Lady with the Lamp the students built in Peking.
7. Phase out the dollar bill and replace it with a dollar coin-—Dump the 1/2 dollar and the new coin would be larger than a quarter. Put Reagan on the coin.
8. A new National University, like the military colleges but for the people—a traditional education.
9. Reset and renew the “Freedom Train” to take the history of the USA to the people like they did in the Bicentennial. Bring the greatest artifacts in the USA to the people.
10. A new monument to the pandemics from 1918 to the one we have today. A monument to the lost.
11. A new national anti-crime task force to end crime in corrupt cities like the old Untouchables in the 1930s. First target:: Chicago.
12. Re-build the Americor Program—a sort of CCC for young people. Send them out to remake the trails, National Parks, education, inner cities. etc... An investment in the youth of America.
I oppose just about all of those, especially a holiday to focus on women.
BTW, the Charge of the Light Brigade was one of the stupidest blunders in human history.
I commend you for putting forth ideas and positive solutions but symbology isn’t really what the Left wants. It intends to impose socialism on us and destroy all vestiges of our past. Government (i.e., THEIR permanent, single party rule) will destroy the concept of liberty and individualism forever. With the Left, its their way or the highway.
There have been seismic changes in the culture and demographics. This has changed the country in profound ways. As such, we are well beyond any hope of true unity.
Brace yourself. We’re in the first quarter of a long and painful game, the outcome of which will likely result in more fractious division and possible the restructuring of the country.
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