“…under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all”. What ever happened to our national unity?
The union began to separate when Ronald Reagan ushered in divisiveness in our nation by demonizing liberal thinking. This was unpatriotic because it polarized our nation by pitting Americans against Americans. It also ushered in a fascist mentality in which any American that didn’t think like the Reagan conservatives was considered to be un-American. This way of thinking was bolstered in 1988 when Rush Limbaugh first took to the air with his hate filled messages targeting liberals. That same year, the Presidential campaign was one of the most vial campaigns which again pitted Americans against Americans by separating the conservatives from the liberals. These years of “fiscal conservatives” created large national deficits and it was during this time that “union busting” and deregulation became standard practice by both Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. It also gave birth to the “religious right” which further spread the message of hate.
This way of thinking continues to this day. It divides us and weakens our nation. There is an Italian proverb, “In union there is strength”. With globablization of the world’s economy, the United States needs to be united. Instead we are still facing racism and hatred. By acting like a dictator, George W. Bush further divides our nation. When John McCain’s anger rears its nasty head and attacks with lies, he, too, divides our nation.
Barack Obama said, “There is not a liberal America. There is not a conservative America. There is the United States of America”.
Here’s is his 2004 speech of unity for ALL Americans, not just red states or blue states, ALL Americans. Let me re-introduce you to Barack Obama and the politics of “Hope… God’s greatest gift to us”.
And here is his acceptance speech at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
Organizing for Change 