The Political & Religious Polarization of America

     In days long past, Americans seemed able to get past politics to personally pursue what was inevitably in the best interests of America.  Those days seem long gone.  There is a glimmer of hope now and then, like when a politician claims to be interested in a non-partisan action, but this usually doesn't last for long.  The flowers fade and what is left is dead, dry grass, nothing that passes as a bouquet of flowers by any standard of the imagination.  Why?  I remember years ago that switching parties during election cycles was not so unheard of, as people went more for the best candidate rather than a particular party -- whomever was "best for America", had the greatest ability to lead, the best ethics & values, the greatest integrity, etc. 

     So, what changed?  Are Americans such brats now that we cannot see beyond what we want for ourselves?  Are we so polarized, deceived, ...or both, that we cannot see beyond one political party's facade or "promises" and thus cannot take in the whole picture?  Do we not care?  If so, why?  If we are burned by false promises and candidates who no longer represent the people, what do we do: does this motivate anyone to aim for political office, to "overthrow" the career politicians who seem too keen on being merely power-hungry instead of truly serving and doing what's right and good for America?  The liberals and conservatives each think they are right, but why?  Some make the environment a big issue and actually hate those who disagree with theories about global warming, yet there are some very conservative people who also strongly desire to preserve our natural lands and wildlife, too.  Are they "the enemy" simply due to a personal belief that man did not cause any perceived climate changes?

     Likewise, there are some who are quite desirous of helping their fellow mankind and things like recycling, education and poverty.  Why should that be at odds with any political party?  I see people of multiple parties who espouse the same!  Whoever is brainwashing their constituents, please stop : many Americans desire the same things.  Our primary concern, however, is NOT to keep politicians in cozy offices with a minimum of interest in the needs of U.S. citizens!  If you are truly patriotic, speak to the real needs rather than playing people for fools for political self-gain or playing them against each other -- dividing America -- for political self-interest.  We all know about the old adage, " Divide and conquer".  We used to have a word for doing wrong to take power or for self-interest at the expense of the people -- "treason."  Wow,...how interesting that we now rally behind one group or another that does what all America used to oppose!  It is no longer thought of as wrong...if "OUR" party does it.  What hypocrisy!  What shame!

     As the politicians fight and line up power for themselves, constantly polarizing their constituents to gain blind pawns in blind battles to preserve THEIR jobs of prominence, pride and advantage,...it is "We the people..." who suffer.  Should we then outlaw political parties so that people are forced to go back to getting elected based on their own actual values and usefulness to the nation?  Could, or should, that even happen?  At any rate, I doubt it will.  Somehow, however, we have gotten far away from the Constitution, the intent of the "founding fathers" and the best interests of this people, which by the way, is no longer so much a "people" as it has become so divided -- more of a conglomerate of factions, now.  It is a conglomerate of which the "cement" is becoming old and crumbly.  How long will it hold everything together?  Self-interest has spread from the politicians to their parties to the people, or is it the other way around. 

     In an ancient account of the Israelites, a man, Achan, acted selfishly and it cost the lives of others and endangered his people. (Joshua 7; the bible).  Another person in that same time, Rahab, by faith took action that saved her entire family.  (Joshua 6: 22-23, 25.) Our actions do not only affect ourselves, but others also.  Some people think those events are harsh, but consider that they had just marched across a river wherein the waters stacked up, supernaturally, so that they crossed as on dry land (Joshua 3) and Joshua hinself had just met with an angel he at first thought to be a man but who turned out to be the commander of God's angellic army   (Joshua 5: 13-15) and had received specific instructions from him. 

     Our leaders, and perhaps many Americans, seem to have forgotten how we affect those around us!  Yes, we want freedom.  We want change.  We tire of our burdens.  Yet, everything we do affects others.  Everything?  Yes, everything.  Even small decisions that seem not to do so still reinforce our own attitudes and wills, which in turn influences others by word, deed, sight, or action.  Our kids pick up on things at an early age by our tone of voice, attitude, etc. and so we influence a generation, which in turn influences those after them.  Soon we become like rancid walnuts that are unfit to eat.  Some people hate the religion our nation was founded on because as the biblical Gideon even said, "...if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and put us into the hand of Midian." (Judges 6; the NIV bible).   Well, that was after those people had run after paganism.

     Sure, people can blame God after running after sin, so we all feel better about ourselves; yet, how will that help anything?  Look, we all can see that America has strayed from the path and lost itself in a myriad of desires, self-pleasures, and doing whatever WE please,...and to what effect?  We are in our current sad state, declining.  We can pretend it isn't so, but look : divorce, fornication, adultery, lust, self-pleasure, drunkenness, drug-abuse, desertion of families, violence, perverse behaviors -- we even make evil things legal while condemning things as illegal that are not anywhere near as bad.  Even if we aren't religious, we can honestly see that we are often selfish, and doesn't that bring harm?  We have done as we please, and it has caught up to us.  We get addicted, and are helpless.  Well, God helped Gideon and his people, and God can still help America, if we are willing.  That is...if there is a God.  What?  Well, many Americans are not Christians, so how do they know whether this is anything to care about or simply another religion for the masses?  How do they know that God can see everyone as if no walls exist?  Yet, imagine that -- a God able to see all the inhabitants of an apartment complex, town or city, all at once.  A Being who sees every detestable and selfish act playing out in unison, multiplied by thousands upon thousands.  What if you had to watch children forced into prostitution by the thousands, rapes by the thousands, murders...by the thousands?  Would it make you sick of it -- make you want to turn away and not see it?

     So, we are faced with a dilemma.  Is there the Christian God, the God of the Jewish patriarchs, or are we only left to fend for ourselves in vain little lives that soon are snuffed out?  Hah, of all the things we argue about in politics, yet we can get so polarized that we don't see what life is all about...nor a potential answer.  In old documents, our founding fathers mentioned amazing victories against the odds as they trusted in that God.  It can be seen that even the Jewish people of old at times questioned their religion; yet, it proved true. -- Maybe I should blame the religious people for all this.  After all, "If something isn't broke, don't fix it," but if it IS broken, shouldn't it be fixed?!  Well, somewhere down the line, the church lost out with God, cause I don't see too much of it being like it was in the best of biblical times.  That means it must be "broken", and that people need to do something right, better, and different.  Now, if you aren't a Christian, don't look at "christians" just too much, but rather at what they used to be and what God has been for those who have trusted Him in those biblical records.  God is definitely more than big enough to teach people the truth if they really want it. 

     Therefore, what America needs is integrity.  America needs people who are willing to do the right things, regardless of denomination, political party, racial clique, etc.  Hey, truth is truth.  If you pursue truth with an honest and willing heart, eventually you will get there.  Our nation can get there, but we must not pursue this constant course of mindless selfishness and self-aggrandizement.  America must be noble.  We must honestly seek the good of our people and our nation, and we must love wisdom more than money or pleasure.  We can already see that mere self-pleasure translates into costly and hurtful medical and financial problems.  Piling on MSG, sugar, salt and saturated fats makes foods taste good, but it can greatly harm us, right?  Likewise, alcohol, tobacco, drugs and other addictions can also come with a hefty "price-tag".  The cost of selfishly or fearfully not doing what is true, honest and wise in other areas, too, may be the lives and wellbeings of our children, families, and nation, as well as our own.  We need leaders who won't play with our lives, and we need to be a people who don't merely play political games.