The division in the country seems never to have been greater but then when you think of the division during the Viet Nam war or prior to and during the Civil War perhaps it is not so great as it seems. But in this case I believe the division is not so much between liberal and conservative but between those who comprise the wealthy upper class/intellectual/ruling elite and the rest of us who I call the “folks.” It is really an economic divide.
It seems that almost daily there are examples of this conflict. Political leaders impose draconian restrictions arbitrarily that seem to defy common sense. People are prohibited from sitting 6 feet apart in a restaurant but can pack into Walmart or Home Depot. Large, wealthy and powerful corporations thrive during the COVID crisis but the small “Mom & Pop” business takes it on the chin. Such restrictions never effect those in charge.
The wealthy accumulate more and more while those on the lower rungs of the economic ladder get to pay more taxes with less income because their jobs have disappeared by COVID closings or forced out by multi-national corporations who have the inside track in Washington D.C.
It is now clear that the “elite” among us get priority. Congress is able to get the vaccine but the common folk must wait. Stories appear that the rich are offering bribes to physicians to get the vaccine. Does anyone doubt it will take place?
How long will the masses of the citizens continue to accept this disparity in every phase of their life? What will be the straw that breaks the camel’s back? Will the disgruntled work within the system to change things? That would be desirable but if the past foretells the future the political parties will only listen to the “folks” while campaigning for votes and once the election is over amnesia will take place.
Citizens need to become actively involved all the time and not just election time. Discard those in the political parties that revel in the status quo that keeps them in power. Nominate and elect persons who will be responsive to the “folks” and not to those with vast sums of money, political power or mass communication ability.
—John Lengemann,
Imlay City
