Unite

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!

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Harleigh
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Harleigh

LOVE it. Look forward to more pieces also too!!

Nirek
Member

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.

AdLib
Admin

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:

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

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…

KillgoreTrout
Member

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.

SueInCa
Member

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.

sillylittleme
Member

Beautiful MA, welcome back from your hiatus. Your voice is like a breath of fresh air.