United We Stand

Infighting is just part of party politics, right? And disparaging antipathy defines the two-party system – hasn’t this always been the case? Well, to a degree yes, this goes back to the original presidential succession following Washington. In his monumentally important book on the real George W., His Excellency, Joseph Ellis teaches us regarding the last stage of his relationship with Thomas Jefferson:

The two men exchanged a few more letters the following year, all safely focused on agrarian topics like their respective vetch crops. Then, when on of Jefferson’s more offensive private letters condemning Washington’s leadership was reprinted in the newspapers – Jefferson claimed it was not quite what he had said – all correspondence between Monticello and Mount Vernon ceased. Historians have always had a difficult time trying to pinpoint the moment when the party system displaced a government founded on trust and bipartisan assumptions. For Washington, this was it (p. 232).

And so, over our history – whether Federalist or Whig, Republican or Democrat (or any of their various morphed iterations), party politics have often gotten in the way of national interests. This has merely been accentuated in our time – due in part to the oversaturation of news info provided to us via modern technology (24-hr. cable news, the internet, social media and so on) AND by the precipitous decline in journalistic responsibility, described by some as the fall of the noble *press* into today’s ratings- (and sadly, advertising revenue-) driven *media.*

Especially following the tragic mass hate crime in Orlando this past weekend – it is time for ALL of us to break down walls of division, within our parties, and across the aisle. So-called “Bernie-or-bust” supporters of Senator Sanders only do disservice to our American system if they continue to threaten to “take my marbles and go home;” i.e. plan not to be involved and vote in the general election as their candidate didn’t prevail in the primary. Yes folks, grow up, we’ve all been there, passionately promoting a beloved contender who simply went so far, no further. And as for Republicans, if you truly believe in classic ideals as the American dream, the melting pot, the significance of our society as a beacon of hope for the rest of the world – NOW is the time to evaluate your allegiance to the presumptive nominee of your party. Open your eyes – Donald Trump is an ill-prepared charlatan. He is ignorant of national and world affairs (and the basics of history and politics), flouts “leaders” of the GOP by disparaging anyone who remotely disagrees with him, and openly professes deep bigotry toward anyone who is not like himself. Or rather, toward anyone who is NOT himself.

There is still great opportunity for we the people to come together to address the significant and varied issues that we face. The first step is just that – a willingness to come together. And together we CAN tackle our economic concerns; we CAN root out the baseless hatred that is hurled toward so many; we CAN stop the spate of senseless violence that threatens our children, our friends, our neighbors; and we CAN foster an environment in which all people – regardless of color, religion, gender and sexual identity – have the opportunity to find their inner gifts and let them successfully shine.  

Insightfully referring to Washington’s famous “Farewell Adress,” Ellis further states that it was “primarily a great prophecy that the first word in the term “United States” was destined to trump the second” (p. 236). Let us be ever vigilant to fulfill this dream, for we are better together than apart.