I need to vent. I had a much longer draft on this post-debate, but then Saturday’s shooting happened. Someone was murdered because of our politics, and it could have been worse. Let’s also acknowledge that more ugliness can happen. But why? How did we get here? What is wrong with us? Are you happy with our choices?
No matter what side of this political schism you’re on, you are a real person who sincerely believes in what you’re doing. On the other side of this blog post, I imagine the whole political spectrum. We are divided and polarized. Our ideological divides have pushed real life out of the conversation. Let’s see if we all can have a human conversation.
Who is at fault?
The shooting at Trump’s rally was unacceptable. There is no one to point a finger at… well, no, that’s not true, but we will get to that. The situation in America is a mess, and all sides have acknowledged this. Before Trump won his first election, Obama did a YouTube campaign, being interviewed by some popular channels. I’m a fan of Smarter Everyday. His topic for Obama was the political divide that’s been growing. That was a decade ago. Imagine what it is now—the polarization is worse.
You probably don’t have to imagine it—look and listen. Can you taste the tribalism, the divide? Can you smell it smoldering? What does the news feel like and how are the options playing out? How are people feeling? How are you? It’s ripe. People are tired, scared, and angry. Everyone is this way. I know you have your issues that matter to you—not taking those away. They are real and personal to you. This post is not questioning any of that.
The Problem
But, hey… notice, we talked about the problem for over a decade (we knew it was already a problem then). I’ve been around both sides of the political fence now: there’s in-fighting on both sides and less-than-admirable blemishes on everyone’s faces. I’ve heard the left complain about their in-fighting and egotism, that their identity issues get in the way of meaningful work and collaboration. I’ve heard liberals rail against their party. I’ve heard and witnessed life-long conservatives leave their party in search of an alternative that wouldn’t keep them up at night. I’ve heard of pastors leaving ministry because they can’t support Trump the way he’s being portrayed by Christians.
Some people are fully committed to their side, their candidate. And those who are in between. I don’t fall into one of these camps. I’m something but let’s put me in the mess with everyone too. This isn’t about my stance on the 2024 election.
Except it is: here’s my stance—America, you’re the problem. Listen, I’m adamant that Evangelicals have intrinsic issues, and it’s not helping anyone. But let’s be honest—it’s not a “them” problem—it’s an “us” problem. We can say that kind of thing in conversation and when we’re talking with our co-workers, but when it comes to actually doing it, actually living by it, actually voting that way, and letting go of things so we could sit across from the table… well, we all hold guilt here. We are the only common denominator.
At this point in the game, the division is so large and so personal… it requires a lot of personal work to change. Let me say that another way—it will take a lot of work for “you.” Yes, for me and your Republican or Democratic friend, but that is not the point. It will take time and it will be difficult – for everyone. But we can’t just talk about it.
“Us” vs “Them”
The point is, America, that the problem with our world, with America, is not a “them” issue—it’s a “you” and an “us” issue. Until we get this, until we have a culture that lays down its swords for plowshares, until we can learn to love our neighbors, until we can do this in politics, we will be stuck here until something worse comes along. It has happened over and over again in history, where a nation rises and then falls. If you’re on the Left or Right or neither—the solution to America’s internal angst is not fixing the other side. It’s fixing you.
You know this to be true everywhere else in your life. If you want a better job, partner, kids, health, and life, you have to do something. If you want change in your life, you know it requires change for you. You know there is an issue. You know your party isn’t perfect and you know there are real, big, potentially catastrophic implications. You know that there is no way your people are that perfect or that you contain all the world’s answers. You know you are not that different from other humans.
And yet we still bicker, demonize, and plug our ears. Scroll through another one of my posts or two, and it won’t take long to find my opinion of Trump. I’m not shy about it—he is not a man of good character, he is not wise, he is not conservative, he lies, and he will cause problems as a president. But, fine—that’s my stance. I’ve been convicted for several weeks about my personal “hatred” for Trump and have been trying to figure out how to do what I feel I should be. I can share that I hope fewer people vote for Trump because of me.
American Addicts
America, from my recovering pastor perspective, you are not much better than Trump or the shooter. We are them. America, you’re addicts to your insulated lives. We complain about the rhetoric and then we excuse ourselves to use it. We complain about not being heard but then never hear. We complain about egos, identity politics, and the need for cooperation, then we dig in our heels as soon as we think of that person’s face. We post on social media from behind the safety of screens and think that’s the trick, then complain about how social media is today. We live our personal lives while trying to make real change in other locations, for other people.
Take a further step back from the politics here. Not just the political spectrum but the whole community of America. How are its people? How are they doing? Guys, it’s not a good, jubilant answer. No matter what side or not-side you are on, your own people are struggling. There is a deeper issue, a common one, and it is “us,” not “them.” The choice we have in candidates is a reflection of both sides and the in-between—we are all in the same boat.
When it comes to who to point the finger at, America, it’s you. The finger-pointing needs to stop and all of us need a timeout. Let’s be big kids here, the entire world thinks we have an ego problem. We are selfish, arrogant little snowflakes—all of us, conservative and progressive alike. We think we are better than others, or we are at least trying to convince ourselves of it. Our own immaturity, egos, and pride have swallowed us. Our lives are fractured and people are struggling, but we’re convinced it’s the other side’s fault. None of us can be wrong and all of us are right. We sound like addicts—because we are. The fruits of it are in our lives. Are we going to be that arrogant, that ignorant, and that stubborn to keep allowing ourselves to destroy ourselves? A house divided against itself can’t stand. We can barely get on our knees.
