AMERICA Do You Recognize Her?

By Taylor Sterling

The US presidential election is dividing the country, testing American democracy to a degree the nation hasn’t experienced in 150 years and undermining US credibility on the global stage. Bail reform, our shrinking military, the economy, deficit spending, and a shift in moral, social, and behavioral conditions made the list as the top reasons for American decline. It appears to be mimicking the American Civil War which was fought over slavery and, to a lesser extent, states’ rights and the future of the economy. Leading up to the 2024 US elections, there’s chatter of another civil war brewing over in our future. While there may be no imminent threat of armies on a battlefield, exasperated Americans are saying it is a growing realization that the US is now more divided along ideological and political lines than at any time since the 1850s. Over half of self-described strong Republicans in America now think it’s very likely there will be a US civil war within the next decade. Over 40% of the Democrats agree. Of the 21 states with the most permissive gun laws in 2023, 19 voted for Trump, and 6 of those were in the Confederacy. Of the 19 states that enacted laws in 2022 making it harder to vote, 14 voted for Trump and 7 were in the Confederacy. And of the 23 states that enacted legislation in 2023 to impose restrictions on gender-affirming care, transgender participation in school sports, school instruction touching on LBGTQ issues and related matters, 22 voted for Trump, and 9 were in the Confederacy. These civil war era divisions have now erupted into a constitutional battle over immigration. In January, the US Supreme Court ordered Texas to remove razor wire it put up along the Rio Grande River to stop migrants from illegally crossing into America. Texas Governor Greg Abbot refused to comply, claiming the pact between the states and the United States had been broken by President Biden’s failure to halt illegal immigration. These divisions have escalated and have also caused major differences in public opinion and voting preferences between rural and urban areas. Almost 60% of rural Americans say it threatens traditional American customs and values. Seventy percent of urban Americans hold the view that the government should do more to solve problems. Almost 50% of those in rural areas think that the government is doing too many things best left to businesses and individuals. America’s friends and allies need to understand that the United States has become The Disunited States. At present, there are two Americas – and they are at war. They are fighting over social, political, and constitutional issues, and over what role the US should play in the world. The 2024 US election is just another battle in this war. The hope is that we win the civil war in America and come out learning, shaking hands and leaving this country to our children and grandchildren in a better place since the alleged adults who are leading the country are dividing and not conquering and we must take control back or it may be too late and we will be a third world country with thousands fleeing every day to other countries.