Unity schmoonitty. Let’s get it over with—fight until lots of people kill lots of other people, okay? Why? Because our country will be ruined forever no matter who wins, right?
E-gad, America’s political/cultural divide grows broader as we approach the November presidential election. A sober view of the extremes of the political spectrum suggestions a civil war is coming. To make matters worse, if possible, MAGA devotees continually mention an armed uprising in the event the election winner is not Donald Trump. Meanwhile, hard-left voices may be heard threatening to relocate to foreign shores if Harris does not capture the White House. It is hard to exaggerate the severity of the schisms. And threatening calls for wide-spread violence are heard daily from the sidelines. What once was a surly exchange between the two major parties has become vile and malevolent. Added, this presidential election is the most consequential one since, well, ever.
After the assassination attempt on Trump in Pennsylvania, both major parties hoisted the unity flag. “Let’s not allow our differences to fly out-of-bounds,” they agreed. “We are one country after all,” they said, “so let’s come together and be cordial and respectful while we disagree.” Took a couple of days to dump the Pollyanna babble. Now the parties are back to schoolyard acrimony and spiteful language sure to get folks fighting mad.
The climate is toxic! Common ground is required. Without proof, I’d say most folks are fed-up and emotionally drained by political fighting, especially the repulsive sort which makes us all anxious and eager for the election to deliver its verdict so we can move on.
Though the major political parties have long held sharp disagreements, the chasm of 2024 seems about the size of the Mariana Trench. What’s different this time? Cable television news has divided the nation into teams of us and them. Social media, racism, class—lots of dividers keep us from confronting the tough issues. We don’t get together for civil exchanges at the Chautauqua events anymore; we go online and grumble among a chorus of others who share similar views, thus reinforcing and weaponizing our positions. In many ways we are isolated in the confines of social media, separated from the larger community on which we all depend. This election cycle each major party claims the country will be harmed in unsalvageable condition if their party loses.
Vitriol and contempt greet us each day via our parochial sources of information. Blame and polarization follow, leaving open wounds. Echoes from the French Revolution and the ensuing Reign of Terror come to mind, an era in which committees of surveillance were appointed to identify and execute suspected subversive elements in society. Further echoes from the McCarthy Red Scare of the 1950s also come to mind when loyalties were doubted and careers ended because of alleged anti-American activities.
It is an old paybook. Sell fear to the public, spread suspicion and hatred, and identify adversaries to be punished.
Deliver us from the evil of our own making. And lead us not into further hatred.