Fundamentally Divided

Silhouette of Soldier in Front of US FlagI don’t think that even the many on the web who disagree with and despise my opinions will be able to find much fault with the simple statement that America is, or has become, a fundamentally divided nation or that our house has already all but fallen and that the union is broken in all but name and law.

I see this as an unmendable division because it’s a division caused by a disparity and existential conflict between basic world views and ideologies. As such, one or the other must be culled or excised from the body of society.

Conservatives, the largest single world view in America, focus on: patriotism, social order, strong families, personal responsibility, and free enterprise. These are all basic ethical and moral stances and/or values. One can argue against their specifics or the validity of their sources but one cannot accurately and truthfully claim that these are other ethical and moral stances and/or values.

Liberals and Progressives, on the other hand, focus on trying to protect or expand government programs for: minorities, the elderly, young people, students, and poor people. They focus almost solely upon the material aspects of the government taking care of the people. None of these are basic ethical and moral stances and/or values. Whether they be for good or ill, one cannot argue accurately and truthfully that these are other than material concerns.

That is how fundamentally divided America has become. The war isn’t between competing values; it’s between values and material effects.

Tags: | | | | | | | | | |

Leave a Reply