It’s no secret that the American political landscape is extremely divided, perhaps the most divided since the Civil War. 

Due to this division, there is an increasing call for unity and moderation. Compromise is, of course, an important part of politics (and life in general). However, the dominant systems of thought in this country are diametrically opposed. 

The two main worldviews as it relates to America are: 1) America is founded on good principles that need to be maintained, and 2) America is a failure of a nation founded on evil principles that need to be fundamentally overturned.

Those who adhere to the first worldview are the Americanists. They believe that the founding philosophy of the United States is good or at least workable. The Americanists treasure the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. They are proud to be Americans and often feel a strong sense of civic duty to maintain and better the American Dream.

Those who adhere to the second worldview are the Leftists, Marxists, Critical Theorists, etc. We’ll just call them Leftists. The current Leftist zeitgeist is that the United States needs drastic reform in order to be a civil, fair, and just nation. These reforms include seeing people through the lens of race (i.e. racism), radical wealth redistribution, and the elimination of religion from the public square.

Of course, there are many subdivisions within Americanism. And, not all Democrats are Leftists in the sense used here.  Just as not all Republicans are willing to fight for America. Nonetheless, when the dominant positions in the current landscape are as opposite as good vs. evil, black vs. white, hot vs. cold, or yes vs. no, there can be little real compromise. 

So, long for peace and unity, but do not forsake your principles in the name of moderation. Love your enemy through the conflict.

As people on both sides of the spectrum call each other radicals or extremists, the informed citizen must be able to see through rhetoric on both sides and ask the important questions:

On what ideas was America founded? 

Are those ideas and principles good?

Am I willing to fight for them?

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Mitchell D. Cochran is from Midland, Texas and is a graduate of Lubbock Christian University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Mitchell currently resides in Lubbock, Texas with his wife Katherine.