Americans Remain United By Love Of Country

Over the last few years, I have watched our country ripped apart by politicians, primarily in Washington.

What is ironic is we aren’t divided by “what” they want for the country, but by “how” the diff erent parties plan to deliver on their promises.

Neither party, for example, wants more abortions or for women to die on an abortionist’s operating table or in back alleys. Everyone wants clean water and air, and both parties want energy independence and believe in the potential of alternative energy sources. While our government is spending our money like the proverbial drunken sailor, neither party is running on a platform of fi scal irresponsibility.

But you would think just the opposite. No matter what the issue, we are led to believe the “other side” wants to ruin our country.

They aren’t loyal Americans who love the country and just think differently. They are the enemy! Is it any wonder we are so angry and torn apart?

Now, into this mix we are sent tragedy and scandal.

These are all terrible things, but the one positive eff ect they have on America is unity.

Tornadoes rip through Oklahoma, shred communities and take the lives of men, women and children indiscriminately.

This is awful, but people everywhere reach out to lend a helping hand. They don’t ask what party the victimsare from or whether they are pro-life or pro-choice. They are all plain old Americans, and Americans help Americans.

Even the recent scandals have a unifying eff ect - 74 percent of Americans believe the IRS scandal is an important issue that needs more investigation. For perspective, only 17 percent think no further study is needed. That is almost a 5 to 1 ratio. This obviously cuts across political parties, and even Democrats on the panel questioning Steven Miller, acting IRS Commissioner, are outraged.

I was very encouraged when I heard Charlie Rangel, Democrat from New York’s 13th District, say “(it) is wrong to abuse the tax system” and “regardless of whether Republicans or Democrats did something like this, the outrage should still be there.” I was watching this line of questioning and can add Rep. Rangel is eithera great actor, or he is truly outraged. Good for Charlie, and good for the American people.

The same goes for Benghazi. Just less than 70 percent of Americans want more investigation while only 21 percent are satisfied with the information revealed to date. That is more than 3 to 1 in favor of more scrutiny. These are huge majorities and demonstrate a real solidarity among Americans. While it is always tragic for Americans to lose their lives, that is not the offense here. The off ense is tampering with the truth.

Americans hate to be misled.

Then there are the dual scandals at the Justice Department. While the general public is much less concerned with the stories about intimidation of the press, the media is unanimous in their outrage.

From the New York Times to The San Francisco Chronicle, all have condemned theseizure of The Associated Press and Fox News records as “chilling” and “outrageous.” They would suggest this may be the most frightening behavior of a callous and arrogant government, and I might agree.

Americans will never agree on everything. I love to debate the great issues of the day with my friends on both side of the political argument. We may disagree (and sometimes vigorously) about how we should fi x our problems, but we all love this country and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.

That is what unites America - a love of a country founded on liberty, justice, personal responsibility and charity (we are the most generous country in the world). The tragedy in Oklahoma appeals to that generosity, and the abuse of government evokes our passion for justice and freedom. It is times like these that reminds us of thiscommon thread that runs through us all.

Finally, there should be no joy in any of this. It is easy to understand this concerning the tornadoes in Oklahoma, but when it comes to scandals, it is tempting to blame an entire party for the actions of a few individuals.

We must remember that, by and large, the American people are decent, hardworking and honest - Democrats and Republicans alike.

When extreme elements on either side of the political spectrum forget there is no blue America or red America but just one United Sates of America, we need to root them out by process or by votes and unite around our shared beliefs.

God bless America, and God bless all Americans.

KEVIN CANFIELD, A SPRINGDALE RESIDENT, IS A PROCTER & GAMBLE RETIREE AND AUTHOR OF “MASTERING SALES.”