We are witnessing a struggle between those who long for a return to the lost good in America and those who long for what they believe America should become.
That might best describe the difference between conservatives and liberals.
Conservatives see the government as straying from what it should have always been: small, not involved in social issues, but a military power where if things don’t go our way, we send in the Marines.
Liberals see government as an agent for change, for social justice, as a protector of the downtrodden, as the provider of a safety net.
Some have taken raw advantage of these differing views of America and have sown class hatred, racial, ethnic and religious fear, and a distrust for those very institutions and business practices that have made our country the greatest economic powerhouse and job generator on earth.
One side insists that their way is the only way. The other side is just as strident. When one side or the other gains an inch, the opposing side hails the gain as the worst thing ever. There is no room for compromise. There is no gain. There is a deadlock.
In Washington, this is exacerbated today by a Republican House of Representatives that does not compromise with a Democratic Senate nor Democratic president and administration.
So we complain about nothing being accomplished. But if anything were to get done, then we would be upset because it favored Republican demands or Democratic ideals.
Much of this distrust and discord started when the Democrats controlled both the Senate and House in Washington. Under the oversight of Sen. Harry Reid and U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the Senate and House passed legislation without due consideration or significant input by the Republicans. This means that the Democrats held the majority of votes and could pass legislation without consulting the Republicans, which they did. Obamacare is a good example.
When the Republicans gained control over the House and Senate, there was a tit for tat, with Democrats having to reap what they sowed. Of course, the Obama administration has served to stop most Republican initiatives by not signing legislation.
Throughout American history, the pendulum has swung back and forth between the conservatives and the liberals each gaining control. Why? Because, as Americans, we change our minds. What we think looks good today, we might reject tomorrow.
The problem is the intense visceral spewed by some of our leaders. And, worse, the intensity of some of their followers. Sure, it is one thing to get all wound up about the issues, but it is entirely something else to blame others for our own perceived problems.
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The fact is that many people of every skin color, religious preference, sexual preference, ethnicity, country of origin, language and myriad other differences are all being assimilated into our American culture. This has been true since Columbus (or the Vikings) discovered America. This is what America has been about — the great melting pot, promising freedom of religion, freedom to seek your fortune, freedom to stand for what you believe is right.
Freedom. Freedom. Freedom.
We fought a Civil War over a number of issues — one of which was freedom of people who were not white.
America has been the hope of the world, the place where those who could somehow manage to get here could grow their lives in peace and safety, without the fear of torture, unreasonable imprisonment or death. More often than we would like to admit, America broke its promise to those less fortunate.
That is a part of our America that is ugly. That is the part of our America which we need to improve.
When I hear anti-Jewish statements, I think about my father. I think about distant relatives who were murdered in Germany for their belief in God. When I hear racial slurs, I think about the children and young people that I mentor, and for whom I try to live as a good example of what is best in America.
Former President Donald Trump claims that he alone can make America great again. Baloney. America always was and is today already great. If we want to improve it, then it will not be done by one politician. It will be done by you and me and our fellow Americans.
It is difficult to know exactly the way America will look someday, but it will still be great — provided everyone takes a deep breath. The Christian Bible teaches in 1 Corinthians 13:13, “But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
Not everyone sees this image of America. Some are blinded by self-interest, hatred of those different then themselves, or just the heat of political battle. Those leaders who have taken the path of inciting divisiveness are simply wrong.
The new rules must become inclusive, not exclusive; equality, not stratified classes of people; elimination of police hostility and court bias toward people of any skin color; women as equals; and more.
Because these changes are “politically correct” does not make them wrong. It makes them fair and equitable to all of our citizens and to all of those wishing to earn their citizenship.
What we are witnessing is the continued changing and evolving of our country. We should not fear change, but rather embrace it. Let us continue to move toward a reasonable balance between where we have been and where we are going.
We are Americans.
Bill Gindlesperger is a central Pennsylvanian, Dickinson College graduate, Pennsylvania System Of Higher Education (PASSHE) Governor, Shippensburg University Trustee, and Chairman of eLynxx Solutions. eLynxx software coordinates and drives communication, specifying, approval, procurement or production, reporting and activities necessary to obtaining direct mail, marketing materials, promo and all other printing. He is a board member, campaign advisor, successful entrepreneur, published author and commentator. He can be reached at[email protected].
