The very worst in us

 

"It saddens me to see how this great nation is right now. We are a mess. Could we get better? We need to. Could we get worse? We will find out after November 3rd."  

Well with only a couple weeks left until the election, the temperatures and the tempers are both running very hot. Some have referred political season to the "silly season" - to me, there is nothing silly about it. Both sides, the red and the blue, treat each other like demons. No love lost there. And then when the election is over, and everybody has called everyone else every name in the book, as well as besmirched their characters, it is time to make up and play nice. Never happens. Even though the loser often says, "It is now time to come together, reach across the aisle, and work for the common good" - it seldom or never happens. What a joke.

The way that the two parties get along, and the heinous things which are said to each other, I often times think we are living in a war zone instead of a country. Our "shades of gray" disagreements have now been exchanged for vile hatred. Hatred so deep, that to mention somebody from the other side with any kindness, is looked upon as treason and treachery.

The other day, I happened to mention to some radical feminist that I served with her husband on a non-profit organization. All I said to her, was to say hi to her husband. The next thing I know, this feminist and her posse jump all over me. Like I had something wrong instead of only telling this gal what a nice man her husband is. Ergo, my point is made. Our political divide is so strong, so wide, and so unrepairable, even saying something good about somebody from the other side is considered off limits.

We are not France (yet), but every election cycle we get closer to that fray. Don't look now, but the entire continent of Europe is about ready to explode. It did not start out this way - but over the years, it had devolved into this mess. Socialism, out of control illegal immigration, and lawlessness have led to the mess that Europe, especially France, is in right now. Could we be next? Sure could. We are just inches from becoming tribal. Do we love each other like fellow citizens? Not a bit.

It saddens me to see how this great nation is right now. We are a mess. Could we get better? We need to. Could we get worse? We will find out after November 3rd.