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One nation, indivisible? It's time to act like it
By Michelle Bundy
November 20, 2004 | Finally, elections
are over. Everyone, it seems, has taken sides and slammed
the opposing platform as hard as they could: bad-mouthing
the opposing presidential candidate, destroying yard
signs, and arguing Moore v. Hannity. Now it's time to
stop and be the kind of nation we want and profess to
be.
Despite a few minor glitches in the computers, the
democratic system did, after all, win out in the end.
The American people chose the leaders, and Bush was
elected by some 3 million votes in Ohio, not exactly
a narrow margin. Whether you support the guy or not,
at least the contest was won, fair and square, which
was arguable in 2000.
We recall both candidates giving a speech on Nov.
3 that mentioned the healing of America, the desire
to pull together, the need for unity. We appreciate
those words from the mouths of John Kerry and George
W. Bush, and we believe, at least to some extent, they
were sincere.
But people can't leave well enough alone. We're not
just talking about Rush Limbaugh here. The citizens
of this great country, including many in our fine community,
were asked to pull together, but are still nit-picking,
mud-slinging grudge carriers and it's time to stop.
Our energies would be so much more useful if they
were put to our respective causes. Up to elections,
the issues we supported were just talk. Now let's put
our words into action. Whether it be affirmative action
or the defense of traditional marriage, we can and should
continue to support our causes, contacting state representatives
and getting involved at a local level.
In our zealousness to have our voices heard, however,
we should also show understanding and goodwill to those
that don't agree. What makes our country great is the
fact that we can and do have different opinions and
beliefs, and we can lobby for them while still being
a part of America, and recognizing that all of us are
in it together. That involves respect for others.
Campaigning is politics, but in the end, whoever made
it to the presidential seat would, we hope, encourage
peace among our own people instead of the terrible division
we now see. Foreign policy is important, relationships
with other countries are vital, but if we're divided
in our own land, we surely cannot stand for long.
Let's go back, figuratively, to Sept. 12, 2001. "United
we stand" clearly rang from each corner of the country,
because on that day, even though we were still different
people with different ideas, we believed that we could
make it through the horrific events of 9/11 because
we stood together. We are still, as we were then, "one
nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice
for all." So let's act like it.
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