The Division of America

A house divided against itself cannot stand.

When Abraham Lincoln gave that speech in 1858, a civil war was brewing. The states, as well as the people, were sharply divided on the issue of slavery and state's rights. In 2013, could another such war be looming? A war that the government is encouraging for the sake of its own gain of power?

Most "normal" people would scoff at the idea. Sure, we may have our differences, but few would believe that it will actually lead to violence and bloodshed. We're all Americans, after all. But while this is true, we have recently become a nation of specialized citizens. Anglo-Americans, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans. Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, liberals, conservatives. And the list goes on.

While no one is suggesting that people should not embrace their individual heritages, we should not do so at the expense of alienating ourselves from our neighbors. We're all in this together. One need only watch TV, read a newspaper, or attend a local government function, however, to see that we are drifting further apart. We no longer simply disagree. We disagree vehemently. Disagreements are no longer tempered by civility and respect for the opposing view. Heated words and insults are now de rigueur. Many liberals and conservatives view each other not with simple disdain, but with absolute hatred.

Who benefits from such a hostile environment? Not you or me, for sure. But select individuals looking to their ideals on the masses would gladly use civil unrest as a justification for disarming the public and furthering their own agenda.

The stuff of conspiracy theories, you say? Perhaps. But with the federal government stockpiling guns and ammo while half the country appears ready to rip the other half's throats out, the idea may not be as far-fetched as it seems. Even if the fuse is lit elsewhere--an economic disaster or national tragedy--are we already so splintered that we would find it nearly impossible to pull together as a nation?

We united, if only briefly, in September, 2001. For a short time, we were only Americans. But the divide has grown wider since then.

It is time to put our differences aside, as much as possible, and realize who the real enemy is. We must return to our Constitution, the basic building block of our society, and begin rebuilding the fabric of our nation, which those in power have tried so tirelessly to rend.