Curt Flewelling – FISM News
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Polling conducted by the Economist and YouGov has unearthed some disturbing findings. The poll found that 43% of Americans say that the U.S. could experience civil war within the next decade.
Numbers reported in the New York Post indicate that a whopping 66% of Americans believe that the political divisions in the country have gotten worse since the beginning of 2021.
Strife among people of divergent thought has been smoldering in America for decades. However, the contentious presidential election of 2020, the subsequent storming of the capitol on January 6, and President Joe Biden’s recent demonizations of approximately half the country have no doubt accelerated tensions mightily.
Republicans have a more dire outlook for the country, as 72% say that these political divisions will only deteriorate further in the next few years. Democrats and Independents, although concerned, are not as widely pessimistic, as 58% of those groups agree with this assertion.
Republicans similarly view a U.S. civil war as more imminent than Democrats. The poll revealed that 54% of those respondents who identify as “strong” Republicans believe that it is “very likely” or “somewhat likely” that the U.S. will be engaged in civil conflict in the next ten years. Only 40% of “strong” Democrats believe this to be the case.
The unending strain between the two major parties is cause for concern. Kimberly Ross of the Washington Examiner puts it this way, “Neither party wants to admit it, but this nationwide mood is set by both Left and Right. Both Democrats and Republicans have taken part in viewing their fellow Americans with extreme disdain.”
She continues, “But that partisan disgust is different from an urge to do something more damaging. However, the idea of a civil war or “national divorce” is red meat for both parties. And it doesn’t seem to be settling down.
One such American with a penchant for inflammatory utterances is comedian Kathy Griffin. She continues to sow discord as she recently tweeted, “If you don’t want a Civil War, vote for Democrats in November. If you do want Civil War, vote Republican.”
When diving into the numbers a little deeper, the survey discloses that of the 43% that say that a civil war could be close at hand, 14% believe it is “very likely” while 29% say that its “somewhat likely”. This distinction might not be so minor and could offer some degree of hope.
America is manifestly unique in the fact that it is a nation whose precepts are largely dictated by the governed. With this freedom comes responsibility yet with divergent thought and dissent not only blunted but encouraged, societal friction is inevitable.
Since May 1865, we have navigated this phenomenon in a robust and healthy manner exercising our constitutional rights as Americans to peacefully assemble and speak freely (protest). The hope is that we continue to resolve our differences in a spirited yet constructive manner, agreeing to disagree civilly rather than resorting to violence.
The only true civil war that this country has experienced (1861-1865) was between the Union (the North) and the Confederacy (the South) resulting in a staggering loss of life.