Green Arrow
10-29-2017, 09:22 PM
We've got two active threads right now, one all about how liberals are destroying the country and one all about how conservatives are destroying the country. Both of these threads are examples of what is REALLY destroying the country: partisanship, particularly blind partisanship. What we are seeing now in 2017 America is the fulfillment of George Washington's prophecy: the creation of political parties and factions has led to the abolition of national unity and the slow erosion of America.
Washington said the following in his Farewell Address:
I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the State, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally.
This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed; but, in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy.
The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty.
Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of sight), the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it.
It serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which finds a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passions. Thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another.
There is an opinion that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the government and serve to keep alive the spirit of liberty. This within certain limits is probably true; and in governments of a monarchical cast, patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favor, upon the spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged. From their natural tendency, it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose. And there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be by force of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume.
Washington gave us this warning, and it went unheeded. His successors, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, created the rival Democratic-Republican and Federalist parties. This invention of political parties was America's original sin, the sin that led to all others. The acrimony between the parties of Jefferson and Adams nearly tore our country apart in those early days, and ultimately that division did cause the unity of the nation to fall to pieces with the Civil War. Through acts of evil and barbarity the union was stitched back together, but the underlying problems remained untouched. The Spirit of Party went into a prolonged hibernation, but in the last few decades it has once again risen to prominence, and once again threatens to tear this nation apart.
It is our responsibility to do what is right, and put aside this needless division. I don't believe in the hyperbolic claims made by others. I don't believe liberals or conservatives are destroying this country. I believe some of their policies certainly damage it, but not destroy it. What destroys us is our divisions. Easy as it is to blame the other side for this division, the responsibility is on each of us to say enough is enough.
Conservatives, liberals can't force you to do anything. You alone make the choice how you will react. React in force against division.
Liberals, conservatives can't force you to do anything. You alone make the choice how you will react. React in force against division.
If you fail to put aside the petty divisions, you are just as much at fault for what happens as anyone on the other side who also fails to throw down their divisive mindsets. Don't be a part of the problem. Become part of the solution.
We can be better. We just have to be willing.
Washington said the following in his Farewell Address:
I have already intimated to you the danger of parties in the State, with particular reference to the founding of them on geographical discriminations. Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party generally.
This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed; but, in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness, and is truly their worst enemy.
The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge, natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty.
Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of sight), the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it.
It serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which finds a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passions. Thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another.
There is an opinion that parties in free countries are useful checks upon the administration of the government and serve to keep alive the spirit of liberty. This within certain limits is probably true; and in governments of a monarchical cast, patriotism may look with indulgence, if not with favor, upon the spirit of party. But in those of the popular character, in governments purely elective, it is a spirit not to be encouraged. From their natural tendency, it is certain there will always be enough of that spirit for every salutary purpose. And there being constant danger of excess, the effort ought to be by force of public opinion, to mitigate and assuage it. A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume.
Washington gave us this warning, and it went unheeded. His successors, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, created the rival Democratic-Republican and Federalist parties. This invention of political parties was America's original sin, the sin that led to all others. The acrimony between the parties of Jefferson and Adams nearly tore our country apart in those early days, and ultimately that division did cause the unity of the nation to fall to pieces with the Civil War. Through acts of evil and barbarity the union was stitched back together, but the underlying problems remained untouched. The Spirit of Party went into a prolonged hibernation, but in the last few decades it has once again risen to prominence, and once again threatens to tear this nation apart.
It is our responsibility to do what is right, and put aside this needless division. I don't believe in the hyperbolic claims made by others. I don't believe liberals or conservatives are destroying this country. I believe some of their policies certainly damage it, but not destroy it. What destroys us is our divisions. Easy as it is to blame the other side for this division, the responsibility is on each of us to say enough is enough.
Conservatives, liberals can't force you to do anything. You alone make the choice how you will react. React in force against division.
Liberals, conservatives can't force you to do anything. You alone make the choice how you will react. React in force against division.
If you fail to put aside the petty divisions, you are just as much at fault for what happens as anyone on the other side who also fails to throw down their divisive mindsets. Don't be a part of the problem. Become part of the solution.
We can be better. We just have to be willing.