America's Need for Unity

Lately, the United States of America does not seem very united. Instead, some refer to us as the Divided States of America. Republicans and Democrats remain in a bitter battle of wills that seems to have started with the 2000 election. It is clear that had the recount in Florida proceeded, Al Gore would have been our president. Instead, the counting stopped and George W. Bush was declared President. This didn't sit well with the Democrats. I, personally, think it is a shame that no one in a country so "free" as America could stop this injustice.

Today, Republicans and Democrats are still squabbling over issues that affect us all instead of joining together for the good of the people. An example of which is health care.

We are also not unified in our faith beliefs. The first documented mosque was in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in 1934. Now there are over one hundred in the United States and there are some estimated eight million Muslims in North America. While America is predominately still Christian, we are fragmented with other religions such as Judaism, Muslim, Buddhism, Scientology, Agnostic, Hinduism, Sikhism, Wiccan, Pagan, etc. Amendment I of our constitution states that we accept freedom of religion. Our government cannot force one religion on its people.

We are not even unified in our language. Every time I drive up to the ATM, I am asked if I would like the screen in English or Spanish. Every time I call a business, I am asked if I speak English or Spanish. No matter what foreign language you speak, you are even provided a translator - in an emergency room and even in United States court rooms! There is nothing in our Constitution about language. We CAN pass an amendment that states that all citizens must speak English. This is definitely an area where we could bring some unity back to these United States of America.

As for the religious beliefs, I think that we, as citizens of this great nation, should learn the basics of every religion that is being practiced within our borders. You cannot have tolerance for something you are ignorant about. And it might open the doors of communication between opposing groups if they have some common ground for discussion. Every religion has a positive message at its core. If we could all learn about that, understand it...then we are on our way to acceptance and tolerance.

If we are going to have a strong country again, we have to have strong, decisive leadership. We need a President that is not going to be afraid to say the tough stuff and take decisive action. More importantly, the team around the President needs to be educated, diverse and not have a political or financial agenda. Their job needs to be to gather the information they were tasked with and provide it to the President in an unbiased manner. We need a business person to lead this country as if it were a Fortune 500 company. Cut the fat and get back to the business of being productive!

Even though I am a loyal Democrat, I really don't care what party this future President is from as long as he or she can get the job done. I just want to feel safe and secure in my country again. I want to feel like I am an American again with Americans supporting me. I think we are very vulnerable right now due to our economic climate and our political and religious differences. Germany had severe economic troubles and major political rife right before Adolf Hitler seized the moment to say what the German citizens wanted to hear. Some seemingly weak person could be watching America right now and just waiting for such an opportunity. We as citizens need to be aware of everything happening in our government and be ready to speak up the instant that we think something is wrong. We certainly cannot sit by and watch another 2000 election take place.