It’s no secret—our country is a mess right now. We’re so deeply divided along political lines that Congress can’t seem to get anything done. Immigration reform, healthcare, economic policy—you name it, and it’s been stalled, bickered over, and left to gather dust. And let’s not kid ourselves; this isn’t just a problem in Washington. It’s in our neighborhoods, our workplaces, and all over social media. We’ve got to do better than this. It’s time to move past this ridiculousness that’s plagued us since the 2016 Presidential election and start acting like adults again.
Let’s take a step back. The 2016 election was like a spark in a powder keg, revealing cracks in our national dialogue that had been growing for years. It wasn’t just the candidates slinging mud—though there was plenty of that—it was how quickly those attacks trickled down into everyday life. Suddenly, it wasn’t just a political contest; it was a battle for the soul of the country. Families were arguing over Thanksgiving dinner, friendships were ending over Facebook posts, and Congress? Well, it turned into an even more polarized circus, if that’s possible.
Since then, polarization has only become more entrenched. Look at Congress—both sides have dug their heels in so deep you’d think they were trying to mine for oil. Immigration reform is stuck in a tug-of-war: one side says, “Build the wall!” while the other says, “Open the borders!” Meanwhile, people on the ground, those just trying to live their lives, are left with a broken system. Healthcare isn’t much better. Some folks want to put it all in the hands of the government, while others scream that the free market is the only answer. And what’s the result? Gridlock. Nothing gets done. If you ask me, this isn’t the limited government our Founding Fathers envisioned. They intended for government to be effective by doing less but doing it well, not by turning every issue into a never-ending shouting match.
The problem isn’t just in the halls of power; it’s everywhere. We’re a nation of keyboard warriors, quick to attack anyone who disagrees with us. Civil discourse? What’s that? If you even suggest talking to someone with an opposing viewpoint, you’re either a sellout or a radical, depending on which side of the aisle you’re on. We’ve become so fixated on winning arguments that we’ve forgotten how to have conversations. And look, disagreement is fine—healthy, even. Our country was built on the idea that you could debate fiercely, find some common ground, and move forward. But somewhere along the line, we’ve lost the “move forward” part of that equation.
So, how do we break out of this rut? First off, we need to stop seeing the other side as the enemy. That’s step one. In a healthy democracy, you can be a conservative, a liberal, or something in between without being treated like a mortal threat to the country. We need to start by acknowledging that people who disagree with us aren’t evil; they’re just…well, people. Maybe they have different ideas about what the government should or shouldn’t do, but that doesn’t make them less American.
If we’re ever going to get past this, it’s going to take more than just a change in tone—it’s going to require a change in mindset. We’ve got to stop relying on the government to fix every problem. Limited government isn’t just a slogan; it’s an acknowledgment that the more power you centralize, the less freedom you leave for individuals to sort things out for themselves. Maybe if we stopped expecting Congress to solve all our problems, we’d stop being so disappointed when they don’t. Let’s demand they focus on the basics: securing our borders, ensuring the rule of law, defending individual liberties. When the government tries to do too much, it does almost nothing well, and that’s precisely what we’re seeing now.
It’s not just Congress that needs to change; it’s us. We, the people, need to reclaim our ability to engage in civil discourse. We need to challenge our echo chambers, be willing to listen—even when it’s uncomfortable—and understand that compromise isn’t a dirty word. Look, we’re not going to agree on everything. That’s fine. But if we’re going to move forward, we need to start having real conversations about the role of government, personal responsibility, and what it means to be a free society.
The media also has a role in this mess. They’ve been stoking the flames of division for too long because, let’s face it, outrage sells. But it’s time they stop giving us the drama and start giving us the facts. We’re adults; we can handle nuance. We don’t need the media to spoon-feed us a narrative designed to rile us up. We need them to inform us so we can make up our own minds. It’s time to turn off the echo chambers and start looking for information that challenges us to think rather than simply affirming what we already believe.
So, can we finally move past this and start acting like adults again? Honestly, it’s up to us. It starts with each of us choosing to engage rather than attack, to listen rather than shout. It’s about embracing the idea that we can disagree without tearing each other apart. And most importantly, it’s about recognizing that the government isn’t a magic wand that will fix everything if only “our side” could take complete control. A limited government is one that knows its role and does it well, allowing the people—us—to do the rest.
The road to getting back to a place where we can agree to disagree and still move forward together won’t be easy. But if we can shift the focus from what divides us to what unites us—a shared belief in the potential of this country, a commitment to liberty, and a desire for a better future—then maybe, just maybe, we can finally act like the adults we were always meant to be. The choice is ours. Let’s choose wisely.
Written By: Stephen Despin Jr. | Founder/Contributor
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