The Divided States of America: A Call for Unity Beyond Political Sides
The Issue of Sides
Why are we always talking about sides in this country?
Your side, my side, their side, our side. The only side we should be on—the only one that should matter—is the side of the American people. All American people. I do not pledge allegiance to Donald Trump, Kamala Harris, Democrat, nor Republican. I pledge allegiance to the flag, which is supposed to stand for liberty and justice for all. These are the only values worthy of our loyalty.
And when did we start settling for 51% satisfaction, leaving half the country either happy or sad every 4-8 years? Why do we celebrate when half of our fellow Americans feel disenfranchised and misrepresented? 50% is not even a passing grade in high school. If 50% of your customers’ needs weren’t being met, would you keep doubling down on that strategy? Do you think customers would continue trusting your products or services? The same logic should apply to our government: we should be striving for fairness and equality for all Americans—or, at the very least, an overwhelming majority.
Remember the Declaration of Independence? “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that ALL men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” I don’t see any exceptions or exclusions there.
But surely, the system works, doesn’t it? Well...
A Glance at History
Can you guess the major political issues in 1948? Price control, minimum wage, education, social security benefits, healthcare, civil rights, taxes, and national debt. Now, over seventy-five years later, we’re still talking about these issues, struggling to find lasting solutions. We’ve had 46 presidents—19 Republicans, 16 Democrats, and the rest from historical parties. The U.S. has seen a unified government 48 times since 1857, split almost equally between Democrats (23) and Republicans (25). Yet, despite this balanced representation, we still haven’t found fair and lasting solutions to these same fundamental issues.
If this isn’t an indictment of the system—a textbook example of the definition of insanity—then what is? Yet we keep running to the trough thinking, “This time it’ll be different.” If something remotely balanced and beneficial does get implemented, it is simply repealed by the next regime. We’re on a merry-go-round, changing the animal we’re riding every 4-8 years. From a root cause perspective, who’s in charge is merely a symptom of a much larger problem with the system itself.
A System Designed to Divide
Our system seems to encourage division—why? Our history suggests that this cycle is exactly what the system is designed to perpetuate. Why? Conflict keeps us distracted, and fear drives our behaviors. If they passed lasting, balanced legislation, there would be nothing for us to fight about, and we’d be harder to control. They don’t have to worry about us if we just continue fighting amongst ourselves. You know, “united we stand, divided we fall.” We have far less power this way, and our voices aren’t nearly as loud. Getting us to divide and pick sides seems to be exactly what they want.
That’s why the Democrats vs. Republicans rivalry exists. They invented these constructs. They weren’t voted into existence—they were imposed upon us, and we’re only given these two choices. And yet we belittle and threaten each other to defend them. Think about it: when another country attacks, we put aside our differences, come to each other’s aid, and rise to defend it together. But when the government—both parties—fails to address our needs for 70+ years and consistently takes away our freedoms, we say, “Hey, I’ve got an idea! How about we fight each other!” Sound logic, right?
The Power and Potential of Unity
Unity as the greatest strength It is no secret that there is strength in unity, and those in power know it. If we were united, we’d be a force to be reckoned with. We could demand more from our government. But so long as we’re divided, they can pacify half of us every 4-8 years with illusionary wins and moral victories. Wins that come with hidden legislation further limiting our freedoms—while we celebrate a surface-level victory. This is diversionary tactics 101: “Look over there while we advance our agendas over here.”
We deserve more than the crumbs that fall from the table or the mirage they allow us to see. The best prisons are not made of bars; they are the ones that convince people it is in their best interest to stay, so they never try to leave. If we want real change, we must address the root of the problem. Our system is supposed to be of the people, by the people, for the people—not for just some people, but for all people.
A Call to Action
If we don’t start working together and pushing back as a collective, we will continue reliving the same documented grievances that led us to declare our independence in the first place, regardless of who’s in power. The time has come to rise above partisan divisions, unify, and demand a system that serves everyone equitably.
