America belongs to ALL of US

What is an American? Who are true Americans?

And what right does any politician have, upon being newly elected or re-elected to office, to say that “we are taking back America? “Us against them!” divisive language; it assumes that they have no right to governing power as we do. It assumes an absolute power struggle—“winner takes all.” Crying out, “We’re taking back America!” presumes that “WE” are the only one’s who have the right to America, all that it is and has to offer; contrary opinions are unacceptable and will be allowed little or no influence in the decision making process, period!

What should be unacceptable here in America is “all or nothing” posturing. What should be intolerable here in American is lack of negotiation. Accepting no alternative opinion, being intolerant of others and refusing to accommodate in order to have broader inclusiveness is what is not right about America. Pushing polarities to their extreme is to play a dangerous game of tug-of-war. The last time we were faced with extreme recalcitrant polarities, demanding total all-or-nothing sides, we fought a terrible Civil War at a great price of life and limb. There is no place for an “I win, you lose; I dictate, you do; I command, you serve; I will, you won’t” presumptiveness in a democracy. Thus, any politician that has a “my way or the highway” presumptiveness is out of line, and is being quite un-American, Right, Left, or Independent.

We are the United States, One people? We are many, we are varied. We are multiple, plural, different. We are Chinese, Japanese, Asian-Americans; we are Latin, Hispanic, and Afro-Americans. We are European, white, and English-first Americans. Still, we are ONE nation. It is not your nation; it is not my nation, it is our nation. WE are the US in the U.S. We/us have no more right to take back America than they/them have the right to claim America is theirs without including us (whoever they and we may be). We are ONE.

So, enough talk about “Taking Back America!” Give and take, measured and respectful accommodation is what is required of us all. For example, though there are many who do not like the new Health Care laws, there are many who DO want it, or something akin to it. Neither Republicans nor Democrats have all the answers. Swinging right to left and back to right again is not going to solve our problems. Neither the right nor the left, neither Democrats nor Republicans have the backing of ALL Americans. Thus, neither side should be acting as if they speak for ALL citizens. They don’t. It’s just that plain and simple.

So, dear politician, whatever party you may represent, please understand this: you do NOT represent EVERYONE and your own particular leanings are not what everyone wants or would agree to. So, please, humble yourselves a little and do not presume total right, power, and authority to act as if you must have everything go your way. You must negotiate; you must work with the opposing side(s) not simply be against them. Your opponent is not an enemy of the American way. Your opponent shares the same values as all Americans do regarding life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. So be not haughty. You and your particular party or movement is not the only American party or movement living in this land. Pride goes before a fall and before a great fall is great pride. Representatives, humble your selves and start working for all of America. Embrace the fact that America is diverse, pluralistic, and varied in its opinions and specific interests and desires. Give us something we can ALL be proud of!