America’s Biggest Problem

What’s America’s biggest problem?

First, let me tell you what it’s not.

It’s not the economy.  It’s not terrorism.  It’s not the increasing scarcity of natural resources.  It’s not any of the typical uncertainties commonly associated with our perilous future.

Our biggest problem goes much deeper than that.

The trouble isn’t that we can’t agree on our problems.  The trouble isn’t that we can’t agree on solutions, either.

America’s biggest problem is this:

We can’t even agree on reality.  

Point of fact:  We can’t even agree on what reality is anymore.

Open your mind and let that sink in for a moment.

This country is so ridiculously divided right now, we are in fact different nations living under the same flag.  It’s sort of like the Balkans but without the war.  At least they knew what they were squabbling about over there.  We don’t.  We’re divided more deeply now than at any time since the American Civil War.  Even during times of crisis in our history — the Great Depression or the 1960s –, America wasn’t nearly as divided into camps that subscribe to different interpretations of reality as right now.

When it comes to how we think….when it comes to what we believe, two distinctly different nations exist.  These divisions have little to do with race, gender, age, geography, education, or economic status.  These divisions have no correlation to religious beliefs or values.  Americans of all persuasions have enlisted themselves involuntarily into two different perceptions of reality.

Consider the following.

One nation believes that global warming is real.  Moreover, they believe global warming a the man-made crisis that — if left unchecked — will only get worse, potentially threatening our quality of life and perhaps even jeopardizing the future of human existence on this planet.  But to some, that’s just a fairy tale.

The other nation among us believes global warming is a hoax.  They believe the overwhelming majority of scientists are wrong (even though most skeptics have little or no knowledge of science).  They believe alternative studies funded by big oil companies, the coal industry, and right-wing political groups are far more credible with their findings than research from many of the world’s leading universities and international health and environmental organizations.

I know.  I’m biased.  It’s obvious which nation I belong to.  But the point is — we can’t even agree on what the problem is anymore.

Consider some other divisions.

One nation believes all citizens should be guaranteed a basic standard of living — which includes rights like access to affordable health care, a fair minimum wage, equal housing, and employment opportunities, affordable education, government-mandated safety standards, and protections, low-cost (public sector controlled) water, electricity, and transportation, and other essentials.  Seems reasonable, does it not?

The alternative nation believes people should be forced to make it on their own.  If they succeed, great.  If not, too bad.  That means they were lazy.  This nation believes the wealthiest one percent got that way because they worked harder than everyone else.  They think poor people deserve their fate.  The government should stay out of the way and let unchecked free-enterprise take its toll (libertarians essentially believe this, which is why they will always be a fringe party).

There’s more.

One nation believes in evolution.  They believe in Darwin’s theory of natural selection.  They are convinced science can provide answers to most mysteries if given the time and resources.  Moreover, they believe that humans benefit by consistently testing and re-resting evidence.  Science is revered in this nation.

The other alternative nation believes science and evolution are controlled by a mysterious supernatural force, although no evidence supports any such existence.  This nation wishes to make contemporary laws based on confusing and contradictory scrolls written thousands of years ago by people with no education.  This nation also wishes to impose the edicts of those scrolls on everyone else, without exception.

Which nation do you belong to?

One nation believes in an open exchange of ideas, freedom of expression, boundless inspiration, and even supports unconventional thinking.  It welcomes a humanistic approach to finding solutions.

The other nation believes in rigid compliance with authority and tradition.  They don’t want the status-quo to be challenged.  They are perfectly comfortable with a world where there is competition over cooperation and confrontation over compromise.  It largely looks to the sky and sees invisible ferries.

You tell me.  Which is a myth and which is reality?  Which nation has a better perspective of reality and which nation should be discredited?

I’m all for compromise.  That’s part of the political process and democracy.  That said, how does one compromise with people who reject science, deny evolution, and pray to invisible sky angels?