How will we be as a nation by 2026 - More or Less United?

CPO Nate S. — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 09:34:22 -0500

As we consider the current state of things how do you expect we will arrive as we approach the 250th birthday of our nation?

(Note: If you leave a comment, please be respectful of the opinions of those who may view this question via a different lens. Please provide any genuine evidence or other polls you are aware off regarding how others think about how we arrive as a nation to our 250th birthday in 2026.)

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2019 9:36 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 09:36:36 -0500

First when were we ever united? Since our founding there has only been a third of the population that has fought for this Republic. We were not united during the Revolution so where and when was this utopia of oneness?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2019 9:42 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 09:42:52 -0500

What I hope for and what I expect are two entirely different answers

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2019 9:46 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 09:46:49 -0500

I don't think that there can be much question that we will be more united than today.
I have never seen it like this.
I know I am not old enough to remember the upheaval of the 1960's. Or the devastation of the Civil War and Reconstruction. But this is pretty ugly, and the nuts seem to be driving the discussion.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 5 at 2019 10:01 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 10:01:03 -0500

Divisiveness and conflict have been our lifeblood, our bread and butter since before our founding. When have we EVER been united? When have we EVER been peaceful? I feel like people are picturing a magical, utopian past that's never existed.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2019 11:15 AM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 11:15:26 -0500

https://www.pewsocialtrends.org/2019/03/21/public-sees-an-america-in-decline-on-many-fronts/

Public Sees America's Future in Decline on Many Fronts

When Americans peer 30 years into the future, they see a country in decline economically, politically and on the world stage.

Response by Maj John Bell made Dec 5 at 2019 11:16 AM

Maj John Bell — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 11:16:32 -0500

I think it is important to note, that until the War of 1812, Americans tended to think of themselves as New Yorkers, Virginians, Rhode Islanders, etc. After 1812, They felt the same way except add "and an American. There was a strong deep-seated divide between Union States and Confederate States that continued until WWI and beyond. Most of us didn't become Americans first until after WWII. Conflicts/wars clearly tend to unite us. My unscientific opinion is that we have had increasing polarity and division since the Bush v. Gore hanging chad debacle. I suspect it will be worse by 2026.

I will go even one farther, I believe that the US will not exist in its current form, under its current Constitution, 100-150 years from now, barring some external existential threat.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2019 11:47 AM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 11:47:40 -0500

It will be much worse, lines are being drawn. People are fed up with the normalization of deviance.

2 Timothy 3

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 5 at 2019 1:04 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 13:04:05 -0500

Respectfully, less united. Our form of government tends to not last very long. Perhaps I should say the nation will (may) still exist, but in her democratically Constitutional republic form, where the people are the sovereigns not the subjects, I don't think so.

I teach in my social studies class that there are two groups of people, all throughout time. The centralizers and the localizers. Centralizers would be more big government, consolidate things while localizers would be more local government oriented, let smaller groups be more independent and decide things for themselves. We see this in the English vs Scots during Bannockburn, Alexander's Macedonia vs city-states, Rome vs barbarians, Federalists vs Democratic-Republicans, urban vs city, 1800s-era nationalism vs sectionalism, globalism vs populism today, "money money money" (song) vs "just leave me alone" (song), etc. etc.

We are many different nations, inside of one nation. E pluribus Unum. I fear one or more of the "many nations" will want to centralize/consolidate/control the localizing/leave me alone "many nations". I can only think of one or two countries that have lasted more than 1000 years, and very few that are over 500. Civilizations fall.

The question is, are we going to go out like the USSR (relatively peaceful), like the former Yugoslavia (in a civil war), or like the Kingdom of France during the French Revolution (murdering half of ourself)?

Response by SFC Marc W. made Dec 5 at 2019 3:29 PM

SFC Marc W. — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 15:29:23 -0500

Well considering that in 1776 when the declaration was published, the populace was about divided into thirds over loyalty. 1/3 for independence, 1/3 loyalist and 1/3 not really interested. So even if the country is divided 50/50 against each other, still more than 1/3.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 5 at 2019 8:16 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 20:16:17 -0500

I believe we will be more united. Trump has divided the country and parts of the world. The Republicans are using a scorched earth method to fight the impeachment. LTC Vidman has the army protecting him and his family.

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Dec 5 at 2019 9:07 PM

SFC Christopher Taggart — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 21:07:50 -0500

I'm JUST trying to make it thu the day...

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Dec 8 at 2019 8:54 AM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Sun, 08 Dec 2019 08:54:10 -0500

I hope the answer is “more united” — it’s horrible now, though it can always get worse

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2019 2:45 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Dec 2019 02:45:03 -0500

With the way things are going, I wouldn't be surprised if someone cried out civil war by then