I wrote a column in 2011, as the presidential politics of the upcoming year were starting to unfold, with the headline “Why 2012 looks a lot like 1860.”
The deep fracturing of the American electorate — remember the Tea Party? — leading up to the 2012 presidential election was starting to look like what happened in the presidential election in 1860, which occurred amid another massive splintering of the American electorate.
The issue of slavery in the 1850s — whether or the extent to which it should or could be tolerated in America — tore apart the fabric of common values in the nation, and the result was collapse.
There were presidential candidates in 1860 running on four different party tickets — the newly formed Republican Party, the Constitutional Union Party, and Northern and Southern parts of a split Democratic Party.
Abraham Lincoln, the Republican candidate, emerged victorious with just 39.82% of the popular vote. Immediately upon the Lincoln’s declared victory, seven Southern states seceded from the Union.
Soon there would be a bloody civil war.
A vibrant, free and democratic nation thrives with differences of opinion. But there is a difference between differences of opinion on specific issues of policy and fracturing of discourse because of absence of common ground of values and principles.
For a nation to function, there must be some common denominator of shared values and principles.
This common denominator of shared values and principles is dangerously eroding today, and animosities are sharpening and deepening.
Am I predicting another civil war? God forbid.
But the depth of animosities now is looking less like the healthy discourse of a free country and looking more like unraveling of our social fabric. It’s dangerous, and we should be aware of what is going on.
A new survey released by Pew Research Center bears out this trend, showing animosities between those identifying with the two parties getting increasingly sharp and increasing numbers of Americans, particularly younger Americans, not happy with either party.
Per the Pew report, in 1994, 21% of Republicans had a “very unfavorable” view of the Democratic Party. Today it is 62%. In 1994, 17% of Democrats had a “very unfavorable” view of the Republican Party. Today it is 54%.
Seventy-two percent of Republicans now, compared to 45% in 2016, say Democrats are more dishonest than other Americans. Sixty-three percent of Democrats, compared to 42% in 2016, say Republicans are more dishonest than other Americans.
According to the survey, in 2022, 27% of Americans now have unfavorable opinions of both parties compared to 6% in 1994 who held unfavorable views of both parties.
This is all consistent with a new survey from Gallup showing that more than half, 52%, of young Americans born between 1981 and 1996 identify as independents.
Forty-four percent of those born between 1960 and 1980, 33% of those born between 1946 and 1964, and 26% of those born between 1928 and 1945 identify as independents.
Just as the presence of slavery challenged the core values and beliefs on which the nation was founded, so today issues such as abortion, sexual identity, and the nature and existence of marriage and family are dividing the common ground on which we stand.
Related to this is the core question of government and its role in the lives of private Americans.
When our divisions become so deep that civil discourse can no longer mend what has unraveled, we need to tread carefully.
Another recent Gallup poll shows 53% of Americans saying they worry “a great deal” about crime and violence.
How can a nation remain intact when large parts of the population have absolutely nothing in common with each other regarding how they see the world?
Limited government and individual freedom are the classic American answers. Unfortunately, we seem to be going in the opposite direction.
Star Parker is president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education and host of the weekly television show “Cure America with Star Parker.”
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I have come to the conclusion that while we live in a completely bifurcated society today, with two completely distinct set of values and principles that are incompatible for mutual co-existence, there is absolutely no danger of a actual civil war breaking out. In order for a civil war to occur, both sides would have to have the will to fight for their values and principles. Their rights and freedoms in large numbers and in an organized fashion. Otherwise, all you end up with is scattered, isolated and ineffective incidents that accomplish nothing. American society today doesn’t generally stand up and fight for their rights and freedoms anymore. We, as a whole, have become a very lazy and apathetic people, that just seems willing to accept whatever is imposed on us. The old “can do” or “don’t tread on me” spirit of past generations seems to be largely extinct in modern society. Today the best we seem to be able to manage is a sort of collective shrug of the shoulders and then complete capitulation to whatever the latest attack on American rights and values happens to be. That is NOT the description of a society that I would describe as one ready, willing and able to stand up for and defend their rights and freedoms in any meaningful way. However, the article was nicely written by the author.
SHOULD’VE HAPPENED AFTER THE liberal ELECTION FRAUD OF 2020
History has been written by the Yankees. If you will do a little research you will discover the cause of the Northern War of aggression was about tariffs unfairly placed on the South by ole dishonest Abe. Slavery didn’t become an issue until a year and half into the war. Look it up!!
I have to say when I heard a democrat talking about abortion on the radio and she said most Americans are in favor of abortion at any stage. I believe that she is lying. I don’t like what the democrats stand for. I am a Republican because we share the same values. I am pro life, pro law and I value the constitution as written.
I am and have been a republican since I switched parties in the late 70’s, I think the agenda of both parties are no longer what is Good For The Country, It is what is good for the party.
Or in many cases what is best for the individual politician. not going to mention any names but “I am not going to concede until after the electoral vote is counted” Will the same thing happen if he is re-elected? Next time, the riot may not turn away. If so, a civil war will happen.
The Supreme Court did not ban abortion. they Put in the hands of the state to decide, where it belongs to be. Let the majority of the state decide whether it is acceptable in the state. Also let a county or large city to vote contrary to the state by a vote placed on the ballet.
this way the 9 judges of the supreme court or large populated counties do not dictated religious freedom or personal opinion on everybody else. Let each county be held accountable to God for their sins. God gave us free will not to be taken away from us But we will be judge by our choices.
Declaration of Independence Say we are Created equal. And the Creature has given us rights … .
Evolution teaches the survival of the fittest. Why? in evolution the weak die off and only the strong survive. NO equality. In Evolution one species may evolve faster in one Africa or _____ then in Asia.
There is and cannot be equality in evolution.
Why do people claim equality yet deny the creator who gives it?
Yes, we are… The demonrats have already started it and like the confederacy, they must be destroyed… they seek the destruction of the U.S.A….at times the tree of liberty must be watered with the blood of patriots and tyrants!!