I don't think my post will be considered a hijack to tex's OP if one will follow it through...

Sean, I agree, that there is division and it is more extreme than it was when many of us were younger (not that we are old...).   And you are right, we really need to consider what it is that truly unites us and then, not let the divisions be over the basic tenets of unity.

For example, in the book of Acts it is said many times that the first century church gathered together in 'unity' and/or 'one accord'.  BUT, did they perfectly agree on everything.  Look at the issues the Apostles and Church Leaders were constantly addressing.  There was disagreement.  But they went to those they held in esteem for knowledge, wisdom, and being full of the Holy Spirit to get direction.  Then, were left in most cases to work some of the finer details out for themselves.

Now, when you compare that with the beginnings of this great country we see the same thing.  The original colonies were mainly divided by religious preferences... one state was mainly a gathering of Baptists, one of Methodists, one of Quakers, one of Presbyterian, etc (may not be exact denominational names for the era but you get the idea).  They occassionally had laws that made it quite controversial to live in one state and practice a differing religion.  Then, with the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the Revolutionary War, we were drawn together by an overwhelming COMMON GOAL, Freedom and Independence.

After the war, with the establishment of our Constitution they decided those basic beliefs that ALL fought for were not protected well enough.  Thus, the Bill Of Rights. 

The bottom line of all major conflicts and establishments of various charters, constitutions, etc has been freedom and independence.  The Magna Carta, our Constitution, and many others.  In Baptist Doctrines it is referred to as 'Individual Soul Liberty'.  You, me, all of us, should have the freedom to make MOST of the decisions respecting our religion, family, and how we conduct our business.  Most of the laws in existence today are because of extreme abuse of those freedoms.

Freedom comes with Responsibility and Accountability.  And ultimately that means we are Responsible and Accountable to God for how we use the time, resources, knowledge, and experience He has granted each one of us here. 

Another aspect of our country is that, if you can understand my definition, we are actually fifty individual, independent governments united by this common thread of the freedoms we all enjoy.  BUT, that all started changing with the Civil War as well as the attitude of the people toward what they wanted out of government.  We began the course that has multiplied today that the government is all powerful and can make no mistakes.  Then comes the problem... Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely.  And the Government totally took over on a National level.  Thus, we no longer have, nor do many understand the concept of, States Rights. 

Bottom line:  We are now seeing the path from one position to another.  There are no individual freedoms (freedom of speech, religion and the others are failing quickly).  No ability to make our own decisions (you WILL have Health Insurance, drive this car, use this fuel, etc).  So many things are dictated to us. 

So, WHY is this so?  Human nature.  Most want someone else making all the decisions for them and defending them. They are too busy doing what they want to do with the boat, bike, etc and/or making the money to support all their toys to be bothered with the work to stay free.  And the divide gets greater as there is no middle ground.  You either support TOTAL FREEDOM AND INDEPENDENCE or you support TOTAL SUBMISSION.  Call it what you want, Socialism, Communism, etc ( I know they are different but the end is the same). 

Now, most of us have expressed the goal of allowing everyone to express their opinions.  But look at how most of the arguments go.  We don't have the desire to allow others to do what they feel is right.  If those we term 'liberals' would think about it, why must we all be forced to have health care?  It is still a failing proposition.  Look around the world.  Look right here in our own country.  Health care systms are failing.  They stay afloat for awhile by finding ways to drag in more supporters.  Retirement funds and Social Security are failing.  First, the government stole a lot of money from it and used it is ways it was not intended.  But, it is not sustainable.  Especially with a declining population and the baby boomers all hitting retirement.  Even the government has said it is collapsing. 

We need to come back to the basic tenets.  I'll take care of mine, you take care of yours.  I'll live off what I work for, You live off what you work for.  I'll run my house, you run yours.  The only time someone else gets involved is when one state, person, government tries to trample on another person's rights.  Then we all step in and say, 'NO'.  I may not agree with your decision to have health insurance, but go ahead.  It's your money.  It's you that answers to God for your stewardship. 

BUT, don't force me to have something that causes me to betray my belief system.  We used to fight to protect the rights of others to believe how they want.  Now, we only have the right to believe the same as someone else.  We also had the rights of the minority, not anymore.  We are truly a Democracy INSTEAD of a Republic: Majority Rule With No Consideration For the Rights of The Minority.  And as more people come to this country who WANT the government to take care of them from the cradle to the grave we are only sinking further away from our great Republic. 

We are divided because it is not the choices that we are fighting over.  It is the tenets themselves.  You cannot let others be free to make their own decisions while you give away all your freedoms because you think it will go better for you if the government is responsible for all your needs- food, phone, health, utilities, etc, etc.  You need others helping pay the bills so you don't have to carry the full load.  But it won't work.  We will all carry the full load either way.  And when the govenment gets involved the expenses always go up.  None of us makes enough to support such a system.  Again, look around the world.  They are failing.  And now, we are headed into the condition they are trying to come out of.  Good Luck.

The only way is to be for separation.  Let those who love freedom stay where it is already established.  Let those who want socialism go to where it is already established.  The two cannot co-exist.  And one is doomed for failure.  Let's put it to the ultimate test, if you think it wasn't tested well enough in our first two hundred years, and see who is still standing at the next two hundred years.

See, that's why I try to stay out of discussions on politics and religion.  I get so worked up I probably didn't make any sense.  But there is my two tin pennies worth.

Have a Great Day,  Brent

I got one for ya, I bailed about 900 square bales last month and needed some help hauling it in. So here I go thinking I will look for someone thats not working and out of a job because there out there, right?
I found this guy that used to work in the local hardware store, well I ask what happen to the hardware store job? He twisted his knee pretty bad and so he filed workman comp. Well he was out over six months and they let him go down at the store. He is bragging about how he is on ssi and working on the side. After picking up 900 bales and stacking in the barn, walking beside the trailer this guy dont even walk with a limp. Needless to say he wont work on my place again, I wish I had known this ahead of time. I found out later his wife is doing the same thing.
I went out and looked for someone that needed some work and this is what I came up with. It's sad man, this guy gets ssi and some guy down the road that really needs it cant. This crap's got to stop, or at least slow down

A person needs 40 credits, 20 have to be earned in the last 10 years before the disability starts to be elgibile for disability.

You can only earn 4 credits per year.

During the tech boom, I decided to goof off and live on investment income starting in '91. After the 2000 crash, 9-11-01, and Enron  I had  come to realise that there was not going to be a rapid recovery.

I started working full time in Jan. '04 and was diagnosed in Feb. '04. I continued to work part time as I was being treated, and after surgeries I was available as needed provided I was "up to it". I continued the as needed stuff for several years on chemo breaks & good days.

I was working for a friend doing all sorts of smaller trades jobs, started as laying out a construction project, then metal fab, mechanical, electrical, plumbing & hvac. I was His in house guy for jobs that didn't really NEED a contractor.

His busness [garden center & rental busness & residential space] has fallen on hard times since the last crash, He has left go a lot of help, sold off some equipment, making no further expansions and defering non essential maintnance.

I have been on My own medical insurance since when I left the plant in '91, which turned out to be a good thing considering the duration of My illness, and that I would not be able to work a full time job.

The situation is what it is, I am not destitute yet, and don't regret the time I spent fron July '91 through '03.