Our great nation has forever been divided into two camps since the moment we first declared independence with a third camp that will support the winner in the struggle. Patriots vs. Loyalists gave way to Federalists vs. Democrat-Republicans which gave away to North vs. South and later Democrats vs. Republicans. Since the Vietnam War, we have been divided into camps of Conservatives vs. Liberals, but even now these sides have evolved into a new phase that is growing up right before our eyes. One side is the Tea Party. The other is a yet to named Party that is now occupying Wall Street. There is a better way to describe the Two Sides and that description is found in the last five words of our Pledge of Allegiance: “Liberty For All” vs. “Justice For All”.
The “Liberty for All” side is the Tea Party. Their belief focuses on that Government is not a solution to the problem; rather, Government is the problem. Their historical guide is the American Revolution. They believe individuals have the right to choose their own fate and live their own lives. Many are successful from the standpoint that they own their own homes and they may even own their own businesses. Liberty, itself, is viewed as freedom with responsibility in their eyes. Everyone has the ability to live their own way, and their success and failure is based on their willingness to do what it takes to succeed (usually hard work, although some choose to take short cuts to get ahead). It is Darwinian in nature, which is ironic considering many on this side also believe in Christianity.
The “Justice for All” side is manifested in the form of those currently occupying Wall Street. Their belief focuses on that humanity’s elite is corrupt and only a strong force (not necessarily Government, but if Government is the only way to accomplish the goals, that they will push the Government to act) can bring the elite to Justice. Their historical guide is the French Revolution. Many in the movement have been hurt by those who they feel have committed crimes or taken short cuts to get ahead at their expense. Justice doesn’t necessarily focus only on resolving legal conflicts to their satisfaction, but it can also extend to social causes (equal rights, providing for the needs of all, caring for the environment, and making everyone more equal). Everyone is protected to some degree from humanity’s worst instincts, aka, The “Seven Deadly Sins”, but it is most often at the cost of higher achievement. These people use the early Christian church as a guide, which is ironic since many on this side shun the Christian faith.
Both have their advantages and disadvantages. The Liberty for All’s weak spot is apparent lack of compassion (see a recent GOP debate about health care), while the Justice for All’s weak spot is that they are susceptible to a small group of powerful leaders among them that would corrupt the justice into their favor (i.e. Robespierre). Both sides are genuine in their beliefs and the fact that the media chooses to belittle or ignore many parts of their causes only strengths each group’s passion.
The third side in this debate are those who believe in a little of both. They realize both sides’ strengths and weaknesses, but are leery of either side gaining too much control in the nation. In case one side gets too powerful, they throw their weight to the other side to prevent a further erosion of either liberty or justice. This side faces extraordinary pressure from both sides to make a choice. Both sides' argue “You’re either with us or against us”, and this third side is beginning to erode away in the face of the withering assaults.
All people need to understand, however, the closing words of the Pledge of Allegiance are “Liberty AND Justice for all”, not emphasis on one or the other. The Liberty side needs to understand that without a EQUAL balance of Justice, Liberty becomes corrupted. And the Justice side needs to understand without a EQUAL balance of Liberty, Justice itself becomes vulnerable to those who can corrupt the power of Justice. And the third side needs to remind both sides of the balance as well as learn the lessons of that balance itself. Without both an equal amount of Liberty and Justice, this nation will not be the Shining Beacon on a Hill we always have strived for.
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