We live, it is widely and loudly asserted, in a deeply divided nation in which the two main polar extremes, Left and Right, cannot get along and will never be able to agree on anything at all, not to mention all the innumerable smaller factions and splinter groups who simply are at irreconcilable odds with no chance of ever achieving even a smidgeon of tolerance for each other, let alone actually working together for a better world.

“I am not going to waste your time debunking these assertions. They have been repeatedly, exhaustively debunked. You know what they are and you either believe them or you don’t. Either way, reviewing and debunking them again isn’t going to change a thing.” — C.J. Hopkins, Fear and Loathing in the New Normal Reich, Skyhorse Publishing 2025, pg. 77.

Well, admittedly, I have jerked C.J.’s statement completely out of context and applied it to another issue entirely, but the fact remains that there are an incredible amount of people in America today who are constantly making assertions about the divisions and disconnectedness among the populace. (My apologies to you, C.J. for the slight.)

OK, enough digression. Back to business. We have work to do.

One of the most common of the assertions is that “they” are constantly keeping us stirred up and fomenting trouble between “us”, with the expectation that “we” will focus on fighting with each other instead of “them”. You know what I mean, the Superior Elites against the Countless Masses.

“The goal is clearly to keep us divided so the plutocrats can keep doing what they are doing.” — from an undisclosed source, but the sentiment is widespread

Well, if this is the goal, then it seems logical that we figure out what we have to do to defeat it. Wouldn’t you think that, if “they” want to keep us divided and “we” are trying to resist them so that “they” don’t win the game, then “we” should stop doing whatever it is that divides “us”? Now, that wasn’t so hard, was it? Just stop being divided and “their” power over us is immediately shredded like so much confetti, but, as with any conundrum, the knowing comes easier than the doing. It is quite elementary to say that we really ought to get along with each other in a spirit of cooperation, but actually bringing ourselves to act on it is a horse of a different color.

But, that raises a question. Why is it so difficult to get along with others? I will leave it there for you to ponder. If you come up with an answer and want to share it, feel free to write a comment. OK, OK, here’s a hint.

Step 1: Examine yourself and admit that you might have something to do with the problem. Identify those areas within your own life which make it hard for other people to get along with you. (Notice that the thrust of the argument has been flipped. It’s not that you find it hard to get along with others, but that they find it hard to get along with you. If this rings true, then Step 2 should be easy for you to figure out.)

Step 2:

Step 3:

Step 4:

Step 5:

By the time you work your way through all of these steps, each one leading naturally to the next, the problem should have been resolved. BTW, if you need some help with this exercise, I recommend you go to https://bionicmosquito.substack.com/p/the-teaching-that-is-foolishness and work your way through this simple, yet comprehensive study on the Beatitudes.

“If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” — Romans 12:18