It’s been said that the Brett Kavanaugh confirmation hearings for a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court have defined just how divided we are as a nation. Some argue that never in our history as a nation have we been so divided. The Civil War might trump that. Please excuse that term.
I’ve recently posed this question to my colleagues in fun. Are the extremes of our Congressional leaders a reflection of us? Or are we a reflection of our Congressional leaders? It’s sort of a “Chicken or Egg” question.
Why is this significant? We are at a point of political extremes. After all, we are a democracy. And we have the right to firmly disagree. Some nations wouldn’t permit this level of extreme dialogue.
I don’t think there is harm in this. In fact, I am encouraged. More and more people across the U.S. are becoming more involved. It isn’t always productive. But segments of those who’ve been silent in the past are now speaking out.
So, why are we so divided? Why do the extreme voices seem to dominate? The answer, according to my perspective, may not be so good to hear. It’s because so many of us who are moderate or centrist are not being heard. In fact, we’re not even stepping up.
I think I know more people today who call themselves “independents” then ever before. In fact, some states have attempted to form Independent Political Parties. That’s not a bad thing. But those voices of reason in the middle are not being heard. Rather, they’re checking out.
Until we change that, we’re going to keep hearing the extreme views that many of us find so troubling. This is not the time to give up and quit. In fact, it’s the time to be heard again, and to help redefine who we are as a nation. We are a nation known for our wisdom, our trust, and our heart.
It takes a lot of work. It takes a lot of effort. And, believe me; moderating the extreme voices of either party isn’t easy.
Over 150 years ago alone U.S. president who presided over a nation in one of its most difficult times, Abraham Lincoln, said it so well, “A house divided will not stand.”
It’s time to unify, not divide. It’s time to step up, not step out.
Talk later.