Divided we fall...

The problem with almost any ideological movement is that you have to choose one particular viewpoint and then assume, with complete faith and steadfastness, that you are absolutely correct. Not only are you on the side of all that is right and good, but anyone who believes differently must therefore be either irredeemably misguided or pure evil. There is no middle ground. There is no gray area.

Although it is almost always an admirable quality to stand up for your convictions, it’s also very important to make sure that they are actually “your” convictions, not what you’ve been convinced to believe by others. Taking what anyone on television, radio, the internet or in newspapers has to say at face value is not just foolish, but dangerous as well. Consider the fact that they have had a considerable amount of time to craft their message for maximum impact. Often these news outlets, commentators and talk show hosts have agendas that are bought and paid for by lobbyists who do not have the best interest of the general public at heart. However, they know the words to say that will incite public outrage and guide them the direction that they want them to go. Like lambs to the slaughter.

I chose the name for my blog because I heard a protester proclaim on television (barely a week after the inauguration of Barack Obama) that our great nation was going to “hell in a handbasket.” At that point if was far too early to ascertain what direction our new leader would take us, but this gentleman had already made up his mind. He spoke passionately about his wish to “impeach” the president, and I think he threw in the most terrifying word in America: Socialist.

Considering that Obama had not been in the White House long enough to unpack his underwear, let alone do anything worthy of impeachment, this protester came across as a bit of a lunatic (at least to me. I’m sure there were plenty of others who raised their fists in solidarity and praised him for his insight and bravery). The word that came to my mind as I listened to him rant about the dangers of our new president was not “socialist” but “racist.”

So, you’re thinking, “this blog is going to be all about praising Obama and bashing conservatives!” No, that’s not my plan. I just want to call them as I see them. I am not a fan of Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, and Sarah Palin…but I’m also not a fan of Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid or big government. Primarily, I do not like the division of the political parties or the wall built between conservatives and liberals. I think that a difference of opinion can be healthy if both sides can respect each other and attempt to find a common solution.

The historical reference for “in a handbasket” goes back to the days of the guillotine and the method for catching the severed heads. It’s mentioned in Samuel Sewell’s 1714 diary that the Governor said that he would “give his head in a Handbasket as soon as he would pass” an unpopular resolution.

Today, I’m not quite sure whose head is on the chopping block. Is it some leaders, who are trying to pass unpopular (but possibly needed) resolutions? Or others who stand in the way of those resolutions? My fear is that it might be our great nation itself who has fallen asleep beneath the big blade. We have allowed petty differences and political posturing to chip away at the one thing that has been our greatest national asset: our unity.