A young man who I once hired as a reporter told me a story about his childhood. He said that his dad would treat him and his brother before bedtime. Sometimes his dad would make it a competition-something like whoever gets their clothes off, pajamas on and in bed first would get ice cream instead of a lesser treat.
These competitions, he said, would get fierce. But would often reduce to one brother trying to prevent the other brother from putting his pajamas on or getting into bed. That’s the sorry state of politics here in America. Brothers are fighting brothers (or for those who insist on being politically correct, Brothers and Sisters) just to obstruct the other’s ability to do what they were elected to do.
We have been living this divisive nightmare since before the election, but the politics of obstruction is waxing worse and worse. Instead of working together for the good of the people who elected them, politicians are doing everything they can to prevent one another from doing their business.
Progressive (Communist) Caucus member, Maxine Waters (D-CA), is one example. In a closed to the media Democratic fundraiser in New Hampshire, Waters reportedly said, “Mr. President, we are organizing. And we are organizing to bring you down, and bring your agenda down.” She also reportedly said that President Donald Trump is “deplorable, a liar, dishonest, and a bully” whom she wants to see impeached.
Waters and countless others like her are so committed to bringing down the president that they have abandoned any appearance of working collaboratively to solve the problems of the nation.
A July 18 ABC News–Washington Post poll indicated that 52% of registered voters believe the only thing the Democratic Party stands for is to oppose Trump. A Pew Research Center poll released July 20 found that 35% of Democrats say that knowing a friend backed Trump during the election would strain their friendship and 68% of Democrats feel more negatively about talking politics with people who back Trump. Only 13% of Republicans felt that knowing a friend supported Hillary Clinton would strain their friendship.
These statistics are not surprising given the acerbic and vulgar nature of Democratic Party attackers and the media that reports every attack and portrays Trump in a negative light. Say something enough and it begins to stick. This is dangerous to our society. As Jesus said in “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand” (Matthew 12:25).
Politics and politicians are not the answer to our challenges. They are divisive and lack civility. And when sides oppose each other so vehemently, there can be no unity. The condition of our society must change otherwise over time we will cease to exist.
Those with the light of Christ have the answer. In the truth of Christ and in the length, depth and breadth of that truth is found true freedom. We need to speak light and truth in love.
Have a blessed and powerful day!
Bill Wilson