E pluribus unum

In November 2016, the United States presidential election – the very foundation of our democracy – had been successfully attacked by a hostile nation: Russia. The reality of that assault is based on the findings of our entire intelligence community as well as reliable, nongovernmental, scholarly research. The attack has assaulted the values, customs and institutions that define our republic and the rule of law. More importantly, it seems to have been successful in dividing “We the People” by creating the illusion that our regional, political, philosophical and cultural differences are irreconcilable.

Since the mid-1990s, political parties, in concert with cable news and commentary, have been vilifying each other in ways that create regional and cultural bubbles that are partisan, tribal, ideologically pure and seemingly impenetrable. As a result, meaningful, fact-based, spirited debate, and bipartisan compromise, have become almost impossible.

Minority factions have sometimes benefited the greater good, but “Divide and Conquer” has been the goal of tyrants and bullies throughout history. President Abraham Lincoln once opined that “It may be the fate of republics to be destroyed by factions.” Let it not be so. Come let us reason together for the greater good of America.

James Lanham

Cheney