UNITE!
“Divided We Fall”
Is it a new day in America or just, another day in America? I do believe there is a difference in the manner in which we express this sentiment.
In America we have roughly two political parties. We have the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. Those parties dominate the landscape and do not allow any other party that might have the desire to form an opportunity to do so. Democrats are generally recognized as Liberals, Progressives, and Centrist. Republicans are generally recognized as Christian Conservatives, Fiscal Conservatives, Tea Party radicals, etc. You may notice at this point the fact that even the parties are divided ideologically within their own structure. Politicians of course couldn’t be happier with this arrangement; they fundraise according to their ideology. The two parties miss the point…Divided we fall.
In America we have the right to disagree with politicians. We have the right to Lobby or Protest if we disagree with decisions made by politicians or when we wish politicians to provide legislation to improve the quality of life in this nation. Yes, the constitution actually gives us the right to lobby and protest, of course that appears to be under assault these days. It appears the powers that be have decided to control the manner in which we protest and the manner in which we lobby Congress or the President. We are prohibited in many ways when we decide to protest, we are arrested many times because of infiltration by groups that sometimes appear to be a part of law enforcement or paid agitators. So protest, but remember to bring bail money and have a good lawyer waiting in the wings just in case. If you’re wealthy, you might decide to use lobbying to get what you want. This is an altogether different manner in which we are allowed to petition the government. We can sit down in the politicians’ office, or meet and greet them at a fine restaurant, or on the golf course etc. and one on one discuss our grievances/wishes. We are divided even when it comes to something guaranteed by the constitution because of inequality.
Speaking of protest, let’s look at how we are divided when it comes to protest…how many organizations take to the streets or the web etc. to protest? Let’s look a bit closer at this. If I am a member of Green Peace, I might agree to protest with 350.org. If I am a member of Code Pink, I might agree to join with many other groups that might be protesting a given issue. If I am a member of BLM, I might join with groups that are protesting inequality in the criminal justice system due to racism, or any number of other groups whose goal will connect in some manner to the goals of the group. Why, when we agree are we still divided, why do we need to form a plethora of groups to try to get justice in this country? Why can’t we UNITE and come together as one?
In America we are struggling to save what is left of our democracy. Even former President Jimmy Carter (pray for his victory during his battle with cancer) said this nation no longer appears to be a democratic republic. In his words, America has no functioning democracy. We are operating more like a Plutocracy or something to that effect.
In America, the USA, we are beginning the primaries that will help decide which candidate will run for the coveted office of President of the nation. It appears we will continue to be more divided than ever. How can we unite under one banner? How can we bring the citizens of this country into agreement? I call upon the many protest groups in this nation…I plead with you, PLEASE unite. A meeting of the minds is necessary, we need leaders of these factions to come together, bring their issues to the table and hash out an agreement that would allow all groups the opportunity to unite under one umbrella, protesting together, working together, solving issues together etc. United We Stand, Divided We Fall.
Please take a minute to watch the following video. Thank you!
A little more Food for Thought…
LOVE it. Look forward to more pieces also too!!
Hey Harleigh!
How have you been? Thanks for the compliment. 🙂
Monica, I have missed reading your comments. So, this article is manna to me! Thanks for writing such an important article. We all need to come together and vote for the BEST choice there is. I have been backing Bernie since he started his campaign. Actually long before that, too. If we can elect some new people to Congress and Bernie we can build on what President Obama has done.
I wish that I could write as well as you do. I feel that we are similar in our beliefs. Please keep writing. I joined #Vets4Bernie on FB and write some there.
Thanks for the compliment Nirek. I do feel the country, all of the citizens of this country, need to come together and give support one to another. Petty differences are what I believe is causing the country to be overtaken by those that would do as the colonialist did, take over the nation using their version of religion, and then begin to sell it off piece by piece to the highest bidder until we are in as bad or worst condition as Greece or other countries that are suffering the ravages of Austerity in a more severe manner than we are.
How sad it is to see what the venture capitalist are doing to Greece, Puerto Rico and other nations around the world. The good people of this world are going to have to join together to stop those that would devour everything right up to the moment they wake up and realize they themselves no longer have have a decent location on this earth in which they can live peacefully.
I don’t use FB, if I did I would join you on #Vets4Bernie. I enjoy reading your comments also, so don’t spend so much time away from your home here at the planet, you’re missed when you do. I often say to myself, I know Nirek will be posting, let me go over to the Planet and see what he’s up to today. Lately I’ve noticed you’ve spent days away from the Planet. #Vets4Bernie on FB must be a lot of fun for you. 🙂
Monicaangela, thanks for the thoughtfulness of your post and the video.
What the video brings to mind is the famous poem that appears at the Holocaust Museum:
The quality of empathy is so crucial to a healthy society. If we aren’t as offended as Latinos are at the GOP for trying to demonize and de-humanize them, we empower the haters to “come for us” later on when they see that as beneficial to their cause. If we don’t identify with BLM over the ongoing institutionalized racial murders of black Americans, we empower the oppression of all of us by police forces. As long as we recognize that what is being down to a group of our fellow citizens is being done to all of us as an American people, we can prevail.
It’s hard to unite people who protest in different causes because that specific cause is what motivates them. However, if folks can understand the power that comes in numbers and momentum from joining together to support each others’ human rights causes, then all become so much stronger.
I don’t know how joining together in such a grander movement that is a collection of movements could be organized but I do know of one community organizer who will be completing his current job in a year and a half and could be just the person to bring such a movement together…
The President would make a wonderful leader of a united group of this nature. I wonder if he would be interested? He did say that he was contemplating staying in the game once he has left office. If not, I believe it can be done if those that organize these groups would select someone to attend a joint meeting…in that meeting discuss the issues, plan a strategy, and lobby or protest as a unit of solidarity. Maybe I’m just a dreamer, but many of my dreams have come true…why not this one. 🙂
Hey Monica, thanks for writing this piece.
The strategy of divide and conquer, in war, whether it be military action, or one more of a social and political nature, has always been a successful one, especially in social and political strife. There are those in our government that insist on using such tactics. They are the oppressors, who work hard inventing news ways to divide us, and to maintain the ways that have worked in the past. In a representative republic, this is intolerable.
I have a few ideas that would improve our democracy, and they aren’t mine alone, nor are they all that new.
We must get big money out of politics. We must prohibit special interest groups and super PACs. We must instill the absolute necessity of voting, and voting by people who are informed. Democracy is not a spectator sport. A successful democracy requires participation by it’s citizens. We need to put an end to any and all laws that make voting more difficult.
This may seem odd, coming from an atheist, but America is suffering from a serious spiritual sickness (not in any religious sense). To me, genuine spirituality involves an awareness of the fact that we are all much smaller parts of a greater whole. Harm any of the smaller parts, and the greater whole is also harmed. I truly believe that such awareness would go a long way in achieving a more unified nation, and possibly a more unified world.
The question I often ask myself is, just how can this be done. I have a few ideas, but no real plan. All I can offer now are a few quotes by a few great thinkers on the virtue of unity.
“Unity is strength… when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.”
Mattie Stepanek
“Where there is unity there is always victory.”
Publilius Syrus
“History teaches us that unity is strength, and cautions us to submerge and overcome our differences in the quest for common goals, to strive, with all our combined strength, for the path to true African brotherhood and unity.”
Haile Selassie
“There is more power in unity than division.”
Emanuel Cleaver
“Talent perceives differences; genius, unity.”
William Butler Yeats
Thanks again for the article. A call for greater unity in this country is not only worthwhile, but necessary.
Hello KT.
Thank you for your words of wisdom. I agree with everything you have written here. Odd coming from an atheist? I don’t think so, an atheist sees the world through the same eyes as everyone else, as you say, we are all small parts of a larger whole. Your beliefs may be different, but your spirituality comes through loud and clear.
Your desire for a better nation/world also comes through loud and clear. I say this makes at least two of us willing to tackle the problem. I would be willing to bet there are millions of others that feel the way we do.
Thank you for the quotes, they will help guide me in my quest. I don’t believe anyone has figured out how to do this yet, but I can assure you there are many people who are diligently considering the problem and trying desperately to find a way to bring the nation together, for that matter, the world. Keep working on it, as I will, eventually we will solve this problem. The alternative if we do not is something I don’t like to think about.
“All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.”
~~~~~~~~~~~Sun Tzu
Monica
You have brought up a real conundrum in this country. I don’t know the answer but I would urge people to watch the video for a real clear understanding of divide and conquer on a population.
Hello Sue,
It is a conundrum, that is why I felt the need to write about it. I added the video to emphasize how urgent this is and to show the similarities between what is happening in the U.S. today and what was happening in Germany at the time…eerie isn’t it. Some of our candidates appear to have taken pages directly from Hitler’s playbook. We really need to come together in this nation. I know it is difficult to get people to cooperate, but I feel it would be better to cooperate before the country goes down the tubes, rather than have a revolution/war/etc. and then come to our senses. 🙂
You are probably right about coming together but I don’t see how a gap can be bridged between people who truly want freedom and those with an agenda to rule this country by Theocracy. Or the rich giving up the plateau they are now sitting on. I would love to know what the answer is but I think it is probably not in a few people’s hands. That is a crummy way to think but it just seems impossible.
As always, in this country and as has been in other countries in the past, those that wish to rule by theocracy or those that are wealthy and do not wish to share the wealth are a minority. The problem is the majority seems to continue to want to fight separately for personal issues only, most seem to view every situation in a micro manner instead of viewing problems in a macro manner. I believe once they do this they will decide the true way to get their issues solved is to try to get the issues of everyone else solved at the same time.
When people come together, more gets done. I have watched this happen over and over again in my life time, the only problem is many care not for others, they only wish to deal with their own personal problems. If you will notice, the wealthy that are on that plateau you speak of, they are there and remain there because they stick together. Those that wish to rule as a Theocratic unit find that if they stick together, they can bring many along with them when fighting for their cause. They teach a corrupted version of the religion they wish to use to control the masses and then utilizing bits and pieces of what they feel might be true religious beliefs, convince many to join them.
If the majority of people who are in the streets and at meetings and in whatever venue you can name protesting would first educate themselves or seek education regarding the causes of others and find the manner in which their cause and the other man/woman’s cause coincides with theirs, maybe a united front can be assembled, a front that would fight for justice for all and not just for relief from whatever problem they may be encountering at the moment. We not only should UNITE but will have to unite if we ever expect to solve the problems we face.
Most people feel as you do, I used to feel that way also. I have learned that if nations had not come together to stop Adolf Hitler or Benito Mussolini or many, many others I could name further in the past or even today in the present this would be a much different world than the world we live in today, an imperfect world, but my opinion is because of activism, a better world than we would have if we do nothing.
I feel the worst thing the people of this world can do is throw up their hands and say woe is me, I know it’s wrong but there is nothing I can do. That’s how we got to where we are now, too many people feeling as though any and everything is fine as long as they are not affected. We need to Unite and fight not only for our personal causes, but aid others in fighting theirs as well…that’s the way I feel about it.
Well, let me ask you this, what, in your opinion is the first step? Who is responsible to start this movement? And how does that movement unite in an effort to reverse the issues we face today?
Are you willing to take the first step? Because if you are, I am sure others will get involved. You say it has to start with someone, why not you?
I wrote this piece. I have sent the piece to many activist groups. Who’s responsible? We all are. Why don’t I take the first step? I have. What do you plan to do?
What are you expecting from those activists? Did you send ideas for opening up dialogue? I am not sure what you mean by sent to activists. And just so you know, I am already working in my town to open dialogue. We have a table with national issues at every farmers market, I cannot do much about the world at large but I do something in my town and that can send ripples out to other areas.
Sounds as if you are already doing what you say you don’t know how to do or where to start if you are going to do something. The farmers market idea sounds wonderful.
No I did not presume to tell those that I sent the article to what they should or should not do. I simply opened by asking them if it wouldn’t be a good idea to unite in their efforts to get justice, satisfaction, and equitable attention from those that govern our nation. It is a huge undertaking, and I don’t expect one person to be a leader of every other group in the nation.
What I said in the article is leaders of the various groups should get together and organize a united protest, they should also be willing to fight for the causes of others and include some portion of their cause in their platform/agenda. I feel that would bring more attention to these causes if politicians realized that these organizations were united and might therefore become a voting block that could relieve them of their jobs. Again, thanks for all you are doing, that’s all it takes. Imagine if your ripple is joined by millions of other ripples, that ripple would become a wave, the wave would eventually become a tsunami and working together in that manner I believe more could get done. Case in point. President Obama beat the odds by unifying voters, he started small, worked behind the scenes to shore up the delegates he needed to get the nomination, and with his cry of YES “WE” CAN, won the presidency against all odds. That is how it should be done, that is how it can be done.
Responding to your comment below, it sounds like you are asking others to do the work. You have plenty of advice for other people but I never see where you say “I” volunteered to work with them. If I am wrong and you just forgot to say that, then my apologies. But, quite frankly, if I got an email telling me what “I” should do with my organization, I would probably throw it in the round file, if that person was not offering their services and/or help in the process.
You are wrong, and apologies are accepted. What I do and when I do it is frankly speaking, my business. I don’t need to spell it out to you or anyone else. I also feel that what you do is your business. I don’t like to brag, or try to influence anyone to do anything they do not wish to do. My activism is not completed on the computer either as you seem to suggest it is. I also, as I mentioned before do not try to tell others what to do. My ideas are merely a suggestion, those that receive them can act upon them or throw them in their round file, that choice is theirs. I’m happy with the result I am getting from those that have taken the time to read it, and that’s all that is necessary for me. Happy to see you are satisfied with your results in whatever it is you do. 🙂
Responding again to the comment below. I am most satisfied with what we are doing in our town. We are reaching people from all areas when they come to our farmer’s market. Average attendance on a weekly basis is 4000 people from our area, not just our town, so we are reaching a wide group of people. They then reach others, that is how the ripple starts. And we now have a table for Bernie by the community garden since we cannot campaign directly. Our first week we passed out 150 fliers and spoke with many people, plus actively registered people to vote. So I spend half my night at each table. It is more than satisfying.
Sounds great Sue. Similar things are going on in my community, and I am a part of many different groups that continue to try to make a difference.
I don’t discuss openly what I am doing and where I am doing it because that has caused problems for me in the past. Let me just say that I admire you for your activism and I truly hope you continue to make a difference. The way you are making a difference is the way we all make a difference. I would never assume that I could be the one to lead the entire nation or the world. I am one person doing the same as you, making a difference when and where I can.
I also support Bernie, and am a one woman machine when it comes to getting the word out regarding Bernie’s candidacy. Again, thanks for all you do, and don’t be so hard on me, I too am trying to make a difference in my own way.
In reply to your last comment to me, I would ask that you stop disregarding my research in to theocracy. You seem to want to dismiss it as a conspiracy theory, which it is not, nor is it a very small problem in the country. Every single candidate on the right, has claimed they would govern by God’s law and dismiss Supreme Court Rulings that they feel are against God. The Donald has not yet said that but he recently hired an influential evangelical for his team and he is talking about rounding people up that are of a certain culture. I have a lot of good company in my research and I have learned a great deal from them so it is irritating when you disregard the problem, especially when it is clear from the right that it is their plan.
“When someone shows you who they are believe them; the first time.”
― Maya Angelou
There appears to be a misunderstanding here. I do not disregard your research into Theocracy. I realize the danger of a Theocratic President. It would be like electing ISIS or any number of leaders of theocratic countries to govern in this nation. I haven’t read all of your research on Theocracy, maybe it is time for you to write a new article on the subject. I assure you I would be interested in reading it.
From a previous answer that you will find above: “Those that wish to rule as a Theocratic unit find that if they stick together, they can bring many along with them when fighting for their cause. They teach a corrupted version of the religion they wish to use to control the masses and then utilizing bits and pieces of what they feel might be true religious beliefs, convince many to join them.”
Are your views different than this? I apologize if there has been some misunderstanding regarding your activism against those that would try to govern this nation from a theocratic point of view. I personally do not go along with that and am grateful that someone has taken an interest in confronting and combating those that would do so. Where can I find the articles you have written on the subject?
I just reread your article titled Coalition of Church and State: Destroyed from within … An article you wrote last year. I noticed in the comments section the reason for your feeling that I do not appreciate your work. I tried to explain last year that what I said that I did and what you do although different are aimed at the same end. Sorry I can’t seem to convince you of that fact that I hold no animosity toward you or what you have been working on for so many years. I don’t know how else to say it. Sorry for the misunderstanding.
Monica, since you asked, I will give you a sample to read that I wrote in 2012, This one is about the RR taking over education. If you look around you, perhaps in your own state, you will see it is happening.
http://planetpov.com/2012/03/20/the-religious-right-assault-on-america-education/
There is also a series called: Coalition of Church and State and a host of others. If you do a search for Coalition of Church and State, you will find the whole series I wrote plus any I wrote after that time period in 2009 or 10. Happy reading and I look forward to your comments.
I read your 2012 article, it was excellent. The information in the article is information I have been aware of for years. I spent several years in public school education, 21 to be exact. I started as a Teacher assistant, went from there to become a teacher, and retired as an assistant principal. I have seen what you describe up close and personal, and have been an activist against the practices of the RR in public schools since before I started my career in education. It would be great if you would write a new article updating what has happened since you wrote that article in 2012. I have been away from the school system for a while now, but do stay in touch with many teachers and staff from the school where I was employed. The RR has mounted an all out assault on the Teachers Union, they as you say are step by step trying to lower teaching standards and privatize the entire system. I feel this area as you said is one that needs full attention of the public, just like Climate Change and Citizens United as well as the many other things that are causing problems in our nation and around the world.
Hello Sue. Excuse me for butting in but everything you have ever written for The Planet can be found here.
Hope this makes it easier.
http://planetpov.com/author/sueinca/
Good points, Sue. It’s a good thing to keep the lines of communication open, but how do you have a dialogue with people (like the uber-wealthy and the extreme RW fundies) who are determined not to have a dialogue? As the Bonnie Raitt song says: “I Can’t Make You Love Me.”
I think it’s also important to take a look at activism and how it’s done. Not just whether we’re involved, but how we’re involved. There’s effective activism. MLK was a genius when it came to that. And then there are what — imho — are less effective tactics.
Disrupting events and seizing the microphone at Bernie Sanders speeches while giving someone like Donald Trump a complete pass — frankly — baffles me. Even going after Hillary Clinton seems pointless.
The movements of the 50s and 60s — peace, women’s and civil rights all — were effective because they were brave. They took the fight to the so-called “enemy.” Which was often really dangerous.
Attacking one’s potential allies is neither courageous nor wise as far as I can tell.
And claiming that one is going to “protest” by refusing to vote is just as futile.
Unity requires people of good will to vote, to participate in democracy and to refrain from going after each other. For starters at least.
Well you said it better than I can, Kes. I get really irritated when people downplay the danger of theocracy and what it means in this country. Anyone who looks around should be able to see it in local, state and national politics so I do something about it. I am not asking others to do it but I am always happy to have helpers like Wanita Panza, for instance or you as well. There are others, too, who have taken up the cause and not one of us likes it when that cause is treated as if our work on it is not worth the time or actually refuses to believe it is happening. Talk about blind.
Living where I do, I was very close to the demonstrations in Berkeley in the 60’s. Having a brother in college and people I worked for that were involved, gave me a pretty good vantage point to know what real protest is all about. They did not ask others to do the work, they were out there in the streets. I went to a couple with my brother but mostly stayed at home watching their kids. That did not mean that they paid me and I went home, I talked to them about their work. I learned from those talks and I know it cannot all be done sitting at a computer.
BTW who knows better about these things than our own Church Lady?
Thanks to Kalima for the link to my articles. There are many here on different subjects with regard to the RR. I wish I did have time to write but right now my business is keeping my pretty busy. Perhaps if things slow down, I will be able to write again.
http://planetpov.com/author/sueinca/
I look forward to the day when your work load gets lighter. I have been enjoying reading your articles, on Dominionism. I also notice that choice lady has written on the subject as well. I remember reading articles about the subject on Huff Post also back in 2011. You can find the article here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/01/5-facts-about-dominionism_n_945601.html
I am with you in the fight against this corruption of religion. I believe in Uniting against all “evil.” And this form of religion is IMHO “evil.” Looking forward to your next article.
Beautiful MA, welcome back from your hiatus. Your voice is like a breath of fresh air.
Hello SLM,
Thank you for the compliment, and believe me it is good to be back, I have missed all my friends here at the Planet. 🙂