The United States of America is a republic 240 years strong. We have been electing our leaders since the age when many countries were still absolute monarchies. We’ve had 44 presidents, and we’re soon to have our 45th. Through it all, America has gone through many ups and downs, but we have always rebounded and stunned the world with our perseverance.
Our recent presidential election was a very ugly affair. I think I’ve heard enough negative insults and TV advertisements to last me a lifetime. Personal attacks and catchy phrases distracted us from the many policy issues which affect our country. Besides very general statements, the national debt, education and veterans issues were not addressed much in detail. This is a troubling development, especially if these topics are allowed to continue without being addressed. But this isn’t the first time a campaign has run this course.
The U.S. presidential election of 1828 is known as one of the dirtiest in history. Following the 1824 election where a “corrupt bargain” gave the White House to John Quincy Adams over Andrew Jackson, bad blood was in the air, and the stage was set four years later. Adams and Jackson engaged in bitter battles of rhetoric, attacking each other with stories of wrongful deeds and atrocities. Adams was accused of elitism and indifference to the needs of the common people. Jackson was attacked for his personal life, as well as his actions in business and as a military commander. Sound familiar?
The point is we have been in this position many a time. We have had many occurrences in American history where an election has thoroughly split the nation, and it was felt we couldn’t recover. Warnings were made about the path the country had taken and that we were taking large steps backward. Depending on your point of view, certain elections may bring excitement or disappointment, but looking at the broad view of American history, we have always been moving ahead. Starting from our independence in 1776, America has gone from being a moderate trading nation on the edges of the civilized world to being one of the centers of world power. Our navy, from humble beginnings, now sails all the world’s oceans. Americans travel and do business in almost every country in the world.
This is why I worry about some of the divide that is continuing to grow among our nation’s people. It increasingly seems like there are two separate halves of America, who each believe the other side is out to destroy the country as we know it. From talking with people across the political spectrum, I know most people are benign in their intentions. People have a common goal of improving America and making it work better; they just have different ideas about how to do it. We need to remember those across the ideological divide from us are just people, too. It’s too easy to caricature opponents and dismiss their concerns rather than consider their point of view. Everyone’s life experiences gives them a different take on things. If everyone was the same, there wouldn’t be much creative discussion and debate in the first place.
Our differences are our strengths, not our weaknesses. America has been built on a diversity of not just people but ideas as well. They give us the opportunity to try many options, test them out and choose the one that works the best. We should not let our politics drive us apart, to ruin friendships, to destroy relationships. I find talking to someone who doesn’t share my views helps me to learn more about their perspective, to see how mine compares and to see what we might have in common. Everything shouldn’t need to be a zero-sum game of only winners and only losers. We can all benefit from the free discussion of ideas as long as we are willing to keep an open mind.
The United States was built and continues to grow with the vast knowledge and insights of its people. Through numerous divisive times, we have pulled together and worked as a united people to solve the problems that are pressing the country. We should remember that spirit in these times as well. Abraham Lincoln said a house divided against itself cannot stand. We can make a choice in how we want to proceed. I hope we choose to be united.
Connor Kockler is a Sauk Rapids-Rice High School student. He enjoys writing, politics and news, among other interests.
