What is happening to America? We seem to be living in the midst of the second coming of the Civil War. The divisions in America, within the political, social and economic realms, are deeper than I have ever seen them. This society and its many opposing factions seem to be totally incapable of communicating and interacting with any degree of civility and respect.

::::::::

            

What is happening to America? We seem to be living in the midst of the second coming of the Civil War. The divisions in America, within the political, social and economic realms, are deeper than I have ever seen them. This society and its many opposing factions seem to be totally incapable of communicating and interacting with any degree of civility and respect. It's "My way is the only way" or "Save your breath, I don't want to hear it." 

Some might say that the term dysfunctional is too strong, that it doesn't describe America fairly; in fact, it seems to fit this nation and our society quite well based on this definition of dysfunctional; "Abnormal or impaired functioning, especially of a bodily system or social group." Across our government and our society, opposition and obstruction between factions are making it impossible to address and find solutions to the myriad of problems that currently plague our nation. 

There was a time when Americans had far greater respect for one another, a time when they pulled together for the common good; when civility and respect were still the norm. That was America at the end of World War II when this country, largely because of its leadership in winning that war, had become the most admired and respected nation in the world. That was a time when the American people were united and stood together during one of the darkest times in our history. 

This euphoria lasted until the 1980's when things began to change quite dramatically. The Vietnam War that had ended in 1975 left some very deep scars on America's national psyche. While in this bruised psychological state, America began to experience the beginning stages of significant, debilitating changes to its vaunted industrial base as corporations discovered that the utilization of cheap foreign labor could dramatically increase their profits. This caused a rift and a division between corporations and U.S. workers that appears to be irreparable. 

Then as we entered the 21st century, the cerebral G.W. Bush became president, the tragedy of 9/11 occurred, the U.S. invaded Afghanistan in 2001 and then Iraq in 2003. These events produced more shocks to the America's system that seemed to create yet more divisions within our society. 

Disagreements and opposing viewpoints are nothing new to America; they've been with us since the birth of the nation but we have now managed to taken them to heights never before seen. In the America of today it's Republican versus Democrat, red states versus blue, the wealthy versus the middle class, corporations versus the American worker, Wall Street versus the American people, bloodthirsty war hawks versus antiwar activists, states versus union workers; Gone are the days of diplomacy and compromise, replaced by the use of every conceivable devious tactic and trick to destroy the positions of the opposition. 

Here are the three primary areas where this dysfunction is clearly visible: 

Political Dysfunction

Our Political system is broken, our government has been taken over by Corporate America through the power of its immense wealth and influence. Our elected representatives are, effectively, tearing down the foundations of our democracy as they shamelessly advance the interests of the Washington Establishment rather than those of the people.

When the vast majority of the members of Congress sold their souls to Corporate America and the almighty dollar, they sold out the American people. Our system of government is now so corrupted that is has become dysfunctional; it just doesn't work.

What will end this government's obsession with war? Do this president and the Congress comprehend that, by waging these insane foreign wars, they are waging war against this nation and the American people? The answer is that they know exactly what they are doing and they do not intend to change their misguided agenda. 

Washington D.C. is, in effect, the world's largest corporate entity; let's call it War, Inc. All the officers of this corporation, whose sole product is the proliferation of war, have been following a master strategy that has used the War on Terror as a clever deception to maximize the profits of its main subsidiary, the defense industry. So, we taxpayers continue to pour money into War, Inc., which enriches the war machine but returns nothing to the people. 

Economic Dysfunction

There is nothing wrong with capitalism, in theory, but the American form of capitalism that has evolved over decades has become rotten to its core as it is now totally controlled by financial schemers and manipulators; by those who operate within a system from which necessary rules and regulations to curb abusive practices have been removed by the U.S. Congress. America's system of capitalism is beyond repair or reform, its days are numbered. 

Those in charge of our government seem to be oblivious to this absolute fact: in our current world, no nation, including America, can successfully compete in the system of globalization if has lost its manufacturing industry. Without strong manufacturing and associated jobs, and without substantial exports, this economy cannot and will not recover. 

The Fed continues to print Fiat money and use band aids to stop the hemorrhaging, a wrongheaded solution to our economic dilemma. Worst of all, there are strong warnings coming from respected economists that America is about to be shocked with a second recession, one that will be far more devastating than that which erupted in 2008. If that comes to pass then this economy will become almost completely dysfunctional.

Social Dysfunction

The American society is reeling under the stress of the many crises that are bringing an end to the American dream. The American people are being bombarded with massive job loss, toxic mortgages that have bought on the housing crisis, home foreclosures, and personal bankruptcies. 

This stress is taking a terrible toll on not only people but important institutions such as our systems of education. Education of our children is critical to our nation's future but it is being decimated as teachers and school programs are both falling by the wayside. Between Congress and governors, with Republicans leading the way, numerous social programs for the poor, the elderly and other important services to the needy are being eliminated. Our social foundations are being ripped apart. 

If the current content of television, the movies and video games is a reflection of this society, then this nation is really in deep trouble. Just look at who and what are dominating the American media; Trump, Palin, Bachmann, Charley Sheen, Fox News, numerous reality shows and a never-ending parade of assorted "birthers." No need to "send in the clowns" because they are already here and they are the living examples of the spreading political and social dysfunction in America. 

Far too many Americans and most of their religious leaders remain silent as they watch their nation being consumed by the pursuit of war, the atrocities being committed and social injustices here in America. Their sense of morality seemingly has become impaired. 

We are no longer "one nation indivisible." President Abraham Lincoln warned of the dangers of division when he said, "A house divided will not stand." What he warned against is rapidly becoming reality in our nation. Alarm bells should be sounding across America. We should be fighting to fix our problems and make America stronger. Instead, many elements of this society continue to fight each other relentlessly and this is ripping our nation apart. Individual interests and ideologies should not be allowed to override the stability of this nation. 

Americans are notorious for putting off serious problems until their backs are against the wall. Well, that's where we are today, our backs are against the wall and we are failing to respond. It's as if we're standing on the deck of the Titanic, taking on water and starting to go down, but instead of banding together to lower the lifeboats to save ourselves and our fellow passengers, we are struggling against one another to see who gets in the boat first.

There is no doubt that America and this society are heading toward a most dangerous and turbulent period in our history. It's time for all Americans on all opposing sides to understand that if we continue on our current path of confrontation and divisiveness then we will, collectively, be responsible for the downfall of America. That's not irrational thinking, that's reality. 

We should heed the words of Benjamin Franklin to his fellow patriots at the outset of America's War of Independence: "We must all hang together or, most assuredly, we will all hang separately."