The United States and the growing divide

[zwanzig]

Am I a bad United States citizen? Ever since I've become atheist, since there is no God, and the US is no longer a privileged land of providence and a shining beacon on a hill, I find the narrative bemoaning the crumbling Republic a bit tiresome. 

I have my doubts that this divide between progressives and conservatives is actually going to destroy the country. But only because I've been sold doomsday Kool-aid for so long, I am skeptical of every "the world is ending" story. Sounds like catastrophizing and emotionality to me. 

But even if it did split the country up... So? And? The US will become a different country with different divides, different borders. It's not the end of the world, it's just an evolving world. I'm not saying it'll be fun or pretty, but I'm fatigued by the people who the worst thing they can imagine is the United States not being united or the US of A as it always has been anymore. I find it easier to accept that things don't always need to stay the same because they weren't as great and idealized to begin with. It's not a nation blessed by god, so, change is fine and often necessary.

[Angrboda]

Things might carry on largely unchanged. But they might not. If the continental U.S. were to break up into several warring states, I suspect that would significantly impact your life.

[Aegon]

The decline of the U.S. is happening right now, and I wouldn't be surprised if the country collapsed and evolved into something different before the end of the century. I'd just prefer if the actual civil war part happens after I die.... not exactly pumped for the idea of a war in my backyard

[zwanzig]

Things might carry on largely unchanged. But they might not. If the continental U.S. were to break up into several warring states, I suspect that would significantly impact your life.

I didn't say it wouldn't. I'm saying that I don't consider the U.S. to be this unshakable idol that can't move or change into something else. And I'm not heartbroken over the idea that things might change so much into an unrecognizable state.

[Silver]

If the conservatives had their way, the country would be renamed Jesusland.

[zwanzig]

The decline of the U.S. is happening right now, and I wouldn't be surprised if the country collapsed and evolved into something different before the end of the century. I'd just prefer if the actual civil war part happens after I die.... not exactly pumped for the idea of a war in my backyard

It would definitely be hard to live through it and I empathize with that part of it, that fear of the war that'll result from such a clash of ideals.

[Angrboda]

Things might carry on largely unchanged.  But they might not.  If the continental U.S. were to break up into several warring states, I suspect that would significantly impact your life.

I didn't say it wouldn't. I'm saying that I don't consider the U.S. to be this unshakable idol that can't move or change into something else. And I'm not heartbroken over the idea that things might change so much into an unrecognizable state.

I like stability. Most people do. If the U.S. were to become the next Middle East, I find it hard to believe you would be unmoved.

I'm not heartbroken about change; I'm heartbroken about bad change. And I suspect you are, too.

[Rev. Rye]

I think about states seceding from the union every so often, and, frankly, I’m torn between two thoughts:
1) how it may be the only way the far right can actually be contained in this country
2) life inside these little nations is going to be a complete motherfucking disaster for everyone who isn’t a straight, white, Christian, cisgender male

[brewer]

My opinion, is not just progressives vs conservatives, we're seeing that last gasp desperate antics of the christian/republican far right. Wait another generation and they'll be a significantly smaller portion of the voter base and politics will change. Political pandering to the 'christian nation" fears will change and/or fade away.

[arewethereyet]

I see all this as the pendulum swinging almost as far as it can to the right. It may be painful but the pendulum will swing back.

The two extremes will even each other out eventually.