‘Apparently, We’re NOT all in this together’

I woke up this morning thinking about our future.

Of course, we’ve all seen the divide in the country.

Which used to be reserved for simple things like being an Apple person vs a PC person.

Over recent years, this divide moved its way mainly into political junk. Right v Left. Progressive v Conservative. Democrat v Republican. But these differences have been around since the Roman Empire, so not shocking.

But then…it morphed into ‘ideals.’ Her concern is more important than his concern. His beliefs are more logical than hers. “I’m right and you’re wrong.”

Then…it morphed even more into race and culture. Them v them. Groups v other groups.

Then…it metastasized.

Into activists v passivists. Mask wearers v non-mask wearers. Vaccine takers v non-vaccine takers. Believers v non-believers.

Which took a nasty turn with each of the groups degrading, doxing, and destroying the other members of the opposing group.

Now…

A new growth is occurring, and rapidly.

A much deeper division than I’ve seen in my lifetime.

One which I’m calling “IDEA-ISM.”

(you can put an -ism behind any word and it gets super cool)

A division that, if not healed, will lead to a “new millennium civil war” in our country.

Not guns and battlefields like Gettysburg or the Battle at Bull Run.

But a ‘Social Civil War.’

Which has already begun and I’m personally witnessing in my small community.

People with certain ideas are not patronizing restaurants that are owned or frequented by people of opposing ideas.

Folks with certain belief systems are not buying products from companies that may have a CEO running it that has different beliefs.

Phrases like “cancel culture” or certain people mattering more than others permeate.

Specifically, in my little slice of California, there’s a restaurant that’s defying the new closure orders and serving all day outside. From all the banter I’ve seen so far on the Nextdoor App on this, it’s about 50% support for the restaurant in defying the order and 50% that believe it’s irresponsible and will lead to deaths.

People have made it clear and taken a stance already in my town on various stores and restaurants. Those that do what they believe they will patronize. Those that don’t they will never again.

But wait…there’s more!

The stage is getting set for the War.

Battle lines are being drawn.

It’s now made its way into law enforcement and government.

This is when structural division occurs.

Where the borders and lines are drawn.

Various County Sheriffs in CA are stating publicly they will not enforce the Governors stay at home orders.

Like, Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange County, Fresno, Stanislaus County.

Once a leader loses the use and support of its enforcement arm, that leader loses his/her power.

Once that happens, there is nothing standing in the way for the people to self-divide and change the entire structure of the state and country they reside.

If all of this stuff is left unchecked and unhealed, the division will determine new sectors or even districts in this country.

Those that believe in “A” go to the A zone, those that are B go to the B zone.

How scary is that?

It will take time, but it will happen if we don’t take our heads out of our asses and talk to each other.