America Needs Healing. How We Can Come Together As One Nation Again

History is a good teacher.

If we pay attention to her, she reminds us that countries don’t fall overnight, that nations don’t erode in the blink of an eye, that hatred doesn’t form in an instant or in a vacuum.

Republicans don’t trust Democrats and Democrats sure don’t trust Republicans. Both parties have actively obstructed each other. If we don’t learn to collaborate- we will see more government shutdowns, miscommunication, violence, disconnect, and a failure to move forward. 

Here are some reasons why it is critical to avoid increasing polarization:

We can get important legislation done:

We know that certain policies can or *should* have bipartisan support: Improving education, lowering the cost of prescription drugs, making the world a safer place, and improving quality of life at home. Both Democrats and Republicans want to make life better, but we need to start working together instead of against each other. Additionally, I believe that both parties have good points when it comes to fixing these problems. We need to talk them over. Debate them. And listen to each other. We may learn a lot from each other’s perspectives and create better policy. 

It is strategically important to unite:

It is to the advantage of our political foes to divide the nation. According to the Select Committee on Intelligence (U.S Senate) report on the Russian Meddling in 2016,  “By far, race and related issues were the preferred target off the information warfare campaign designed to divide the country in 2016.”

As one can see, division is the goal of our enemies. Many of these nations like China or Russia don’t need to worry about division. Their governments would crush it immediately. It is a blessing of our Republic to disagree- but we have to disagree respectfully. If we are unable to do so- we will see the divisiveness worsen and worsen until we are fighting against each other more than fighting against our enemies.

We Need Healing:

The unity that we witnessed after 9/11 showed us our nation’s true colors: Red, White, and blue. We realized that some things are more important than small details of policy. We realized that we are stronger together than apart. Sadly, it took a great tragedy for us to realize this.  Let’s not wait for the next war or attack to unite. We have that choice right now. We have that choice today. We know that we have the ability to unite deep down. Let’s start taking care of each other again. 

How do we restore unity?

Empathy. Every single one of us is going through our own trials. We have had our own experiences that shape whom we are today. I’ve tried to stop talking and start listening more. The connections I have made with Dems across the aisle have showed me that we are all more alike than the media makes us to be.

We have to believe in this. We are more alike than different. We CAN unite. 

Lets choose unity.

Let’s choose healing. 

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