Where Is Our Common Ground?

 

Democrat v. Republican | Liberal v. Conservative | Red v. Blue | North v. South

American politics are defined by these dichotomies. You're either for us or against us! You're either American or un-American. 

Honestly, that's not even close to who we actually are. Since the very inception of our country, we have always been a loosely connected, ragtag group of immigrants who have been trying, against all odds, to survive. 

Our genius was realizing that we couldn't survive alone. Instead, we had to see past our differences and band together. It might be the case that you're from Virginia, and I'm from Pennsylvania. But it doesn't matter. If we were going to survive, then we need to stick together. These American states are, and will always be, United.

They are united because we all believe in the following: 

1. The Constitution is the law of the land. 
2. Every citizen has the right to vote. 
3. Every citizen has equal protection under our laws.

All elected officials must take an oath to uphold and protect the Constitution. If that elected official's speech or action consistently and repeatedly fails to uphold their solemn oath, then it is our responsibility to remove them from office. To fail to do so is the same as saying, "The American experiment is over. Democracy was a fun experiment, but it just didn't pan out." It admits that self-rule is not a viable form of government.

I don't think any of us is ready to throw in the towel on democracy just yet. Instead, it's time to vote out the politicians who fail to protect The Constitution, actively suppress our right to vote, and feel they are not beholden to the same laws as the rest of us. To do otherwise is to admit defeat. 

We are not yet defeated. In this moment in history, it is up to us to vote out the autocrats and despotic rulers. It's time to remind them that we all still believe in these three ideals. They are our common ground. It's what unites us.

Democracy will not die on our watch.