When Taylor Swift, America's most famous “childless cat lady,” belted out “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” she was singing, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” one of her many ex-lovers.
But she might have been better off commenting on the current state of American politics. The left and the right are like two people locked in a toxic, spiteful relationship, each seething with contempt for the other. Is national “division” inevitable?
This is the position of the left today. They don't just criticize the other side, they actually enjoy their suffering.
As this election has made especially clear, both sides see the other as a threat to America's future.
When the left looks at the right, they see a stubborn, regressive faction clinging to an outdated vision of America that resists diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Meanwhile, the right sees the left as a dangerous self-righteous force destroying the country's foundations in the name of progress.
Liberals and conservatives alike face the temptation to demonize their opponents, but these days only one camp seems to see the other as irredeemably bad.
Donald Trump has repeatedly made clear he intends to work for all Americans, regardless of race, color or creed, despite his allegedly “divisive” comments. . It's a big tent and even his political “enemies” are welcome.
Consider President Trump's recent and much-misunderstood vow to protect women “whether they like it or not.”
In contrast, on the left, celebrities like Sam Harris and Destiny openly disparage conservatives, labeling them as: “There's not much information” or low IQ — sneers as if talking about another species.
To quote another Swift song, “You Need to Calm Down.”
childishness of fate
Born Stephen Kenneth Bonell II, Destiny lives up to its pretentious name. But he's not just showing off. He is absolutely disgusting.
Lately, he has become the left's chief attack dog, embodying the worst kind of partisan contempt. This bitter, angry provocateur frequently appears on Piers Morgan Uncensored and many popular podcasts, where he relishes his role as a polarizing figure. Meanwhile, on social media, he can be seen posting the most despicable opinions.
Shortly after the first assassination attempt on Donald Trump, a small-scale terrorist attack occurred. took me to X It was meant to mock Corey Comperatore, the 50-year-old volunteer fire chief who lost his life at the rally. This wasn't just a comment on political differences. It was a callous disregard for another human being's life simply because that person was on the “wrong” side.
This is the position of the left today. They don't just criticize the other side, they actually enjoy their suffering. Political opponents are seen as irredeemable, subhuman, and unworthy of sympathy even in death.
Figures like Destiny don't just cause disagreement. They sparked a fire of hatred and dehumanization that widened the divisions in this country. Political leaders only make things worse. Hillary Clinton's infamous comments in 2016 labeling Trump supporters “deplorables” not only alienated millions; Perhaps that cost her the election.
Eight years later, Joe Biden's recent description of Trump supporters as “trash” only underscores the left's utter contempt for half of the American people (more on this later). .
Ballot before the bullet
Just a decade ago, the idea of Americans going to war with each other again seemed unimaginable and a relic of a brutal past. The Civil War is history, a reminder of the darkest days of division and bloodshed.
But today, that distant fear feels closer than ever. The idea that Americans would clash not only at voting booths but also on battlefields no longer seems absurd. The seeds of hatred, mistrust, and outright contempt have already been planted.
This leads to a psychology of contempt. And that contempt is instinctive.
Let me be clear: Contempt is more than just anger. It extends much deeper. That's disgusting. It's pure hatred. According to psychologist Dr. John Gottman, contempt is the strongest predictor of persistent alienation. This is a malignant cancer, and once it develops, the prognosis is almost always dire.
What can you do? In personal relationships, contempt can be alleviated by open communication, empathy, and a genuine effort to understand each other. But the gulf between left and right today is very different and far more complex. We have crossed a line, a Rubicon. There is no turning back now.
united we stood
The truth is that the only event that could unite the country for more than a moment would be a tragedy on the scale of 9/11. 9/11 was a catastrophic event that forced all Americans to confront their common humanity amidst the chaos.
In response to these devastating attacks, Andrew Kohut of the Pew Research Center said: conducted a thorough analysis Analyze changes in public opinion by comparing sentiments expressed before and after that fateful day. His findings revealed that the attacks not only revitalized the nation's sense of identity, but also changed the public's perception of threat, trust in government, and overall political engagement. At that moment, the United States was truly united.
But that was then and this is now.
If you think about it, would even a second September 11th be enough to unite the country? This country is so divided that things are likely to get worse before they get better. I'm not happy to say this, but if we want to change the trajectory of our country, we must face this harsh reality.
With each passing moment, contempt deepens and the possibility of national unity recedes.
