Anger is threatening America. It comes from growing hostility over differences in politics, religion, race, education, personal choices and even the meaning of democracy.
Anger that borders on hatred.
It’s scary, and it’s dangerous. I’m actually starting to wonder if the country can survive all the anger. It seems too many people are willing to step up to and cross the line into violence in pursuit of their cause.
That is not democracy, it’s a disintegrating society, encouraged by politicians, bloggers and social media influencers who care more about their ratings, fundraisings and star power than they care about their followers. They encourage anger for their own purpose, to build support for themselves, not to improve the health insurance, education, senior services or housing of anyone else.
I accept the fact that tempers have always been a part of political debates, but the attack on the U.S. Capitol and the democracy for which it stands after the 2020 election was a sign that anger has spun out of control. And it’s only gotten worse, infecting public policy discussions at city halls, schools and state capitals around the country. It’s not helping the country, it’s dividing it into political war zones.
What a strong democracy means is that everyone gets treated fairly and everyone has a right to their views, without fear of attack — physical or emotional, online or on the street in front of their home.
It means election workers can live their lives without threats and harassment.
It means public officials can do their job without death threats, or attacks on their family.
It means the police don’t need to stand watch at home and office to protect public servants from attackers angered by false claims.
It means elections are free of intimidation, where the polls are fully open to every eligible voter without partisan or discriminatory obstacles intended to influence the outcome by excluding voters of a different opinion. It doesn’t mean conspiracy believers stationing themselves — and their guns — around ballot boxes, taking pictures and looking out for voters who don’t look like them.
Then, after a free and fair election, the majority decision governs until the next election. Claiming fraud and a stolen election — as former President Donald Trump has done for almost two years with no proof — is nothing more than selfishly refusing to accept democracy.
The lies about the 2020 election are fueling much of the rise in hostility across America, jeopardizing fair elections. It is giving people justification for destructive and sometimes violent actions.
If we don’t do something about it, this country could end up divided for generations to come. Not the harmless holiday dinner table arguments that last for years, but deep, hostile divisions that will turn friends, families and neighbors against each other, weaken the economy and set back freedoms and personal safety.
The anger in people’s voices, in their writings, social media posts and even T-shirts, the dishonest accusations hurled by bloggers, commentators and candidates, the divisive wedges driven by all sides in debates have reached such a destructive tone that it’s hard to imagine the country ever returning to a trusting and caring collection of 50 states, 332 million people and hundreds of races, religions and ethnic origins.
Red and blue have become battle colors that Republicans and Democrats carry into war.
It’s time — actually past the time — to call a truce. Like all wars, no one wins when all sides fight to the last soldier.
My hope is that people accept this month’s election results and step back from the brink.
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