Opinion: A nation divided cannot stand

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SALT LAKE CITY — Did you hear about how the Democrats want to tax you to death and make the United States a socialist country? Or what about the Republicans who hate poor individuals and want to make businesses more wealthy? It's hypothetical questions like these that promote unnecessary hate in the United States.

Americans pride themselves on freedom of speech, yet condemn one another for what they say or believe, whether in politics, religion and even sports. Why the hatred? Why the animosity? Why does one group of people have to protest the beliefs of another group of people?

Lies are compounded upon lies, while hatred is compounded upon hatred. Accepting one another doesn't necessarily mean you condone another's actions, thoughts or beliefs, but it doesn't mean hatred should be the end result either.

Too much of our everyday discussions relating to politics and religion is unnecessary and unwarranted. This is not to say there are many issues that do not need to be addressed, but what happened to civility or sharing a common belief in the freedom of this county?

Don't we believe that all men (women included) are created equal? If so, why do we behave so rashly toward one another? Sure, my opinions, beliefs, desires and goals are different from others, but does that make me any more right? Are my opinions, beliefs, desires and goals any better than my neighbors? My friends? My fellow Americans? No.

We come together during events like the Olympics or Sept. 11, where we are unified in purpose, despite our backgrounds or beliefs. Yet, we push aside civility at the first sign of disagreement.

I look to the Founding Fathers of this great country when looking at this issue. They all had different backgrounds and came from all walks of life, disagreeing on many founding principles. Arguments were made, disagreements were addressed. But in the end, a document was created that has become the country's supreme framework to freedom and the prosperity of life. It was the beginning to the so-called American dream.

Don't we all really want the same thing in the end?

We talk about presidential candidates and the different party platforms. We talk about border patrol and illegal immigration. We talk about marriage rights and who those rights should be granted upon. However, we forget civility when we discuss these topics. We talk about people like they're objects, who lack passions, desires and beliefs. Yet, we're offended when our actions and beliefs are not taken into consideration.

Look at the current presidential race. Undoubtedly, both President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney are good people who care about the United States. Their opinions and beliefs are different, yet the underlying fact remains: they both believe in America and look to make it better. At least that's why we look to these individuals to become president.

And yet, each campaign and its supporters look to degrade the opposing candidate as part of the strategy of getting elected. Look at the recent ad created by the pro-Obama super PAC Priorities USA Action. The ad seems to suggest that Romney is responsible for the death of woman dying of cancer. Had she had health care benefits, the ad contends, the woman's life could have likely be spared.

This is not to say the Romney campaign or super PACs supporting Romney's campaign are free of slinging mud. The Romney campaign has recently come under fire for an ad twisting the words of President Obama.

Nearly every presidential race has seen similar ads, where facts are distorted and lies are presented as truths. In 1964, the Democratic National Committee released the controversial "Daisy Girl" ad, which implied Senator Barry Goldwater was a reckless candidate. In 1988, a pro-George H. W. Bush super PAC, National Security PAC, released the "Willie Horton" ad, which contended that Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis would let convicted murderers out of prison.

Personal character is not defined by tearing down an opposing candidate or their party, but looking at the actual principles of the matter. Too often the campaigns are muddied by meaningless issues such as gaffes or whether a dog rode on the roof of a car. When did we forget about the actual policies and start worrying about gaffes? Dogs? Or who created the Internet? We care about things of minor importance when actual matters that affect our lives are being discussed without our knowledge because our time is spent elsewhere.

The thing that makes America great is its diversity and divergence of opinions, sharing the common goal of freedom and the American dream. Unfortunately, it is also our diversity and divergence of opinions that cause most of the contention. We fail to look at each other as fellow Americans, but look at our differences as the dividing factor.

Freedom of speech allows you to say what you want, but don't be shocked and surprised when others disagree with you; we're just expressing ourselves in our own way.

To quote President Abraham Lincoln, "A (nation) divided against itself cannot stand." Where do we stand as an American people? Are we part of the problem or are we part of the solution?

America's greatness is evident because a democracy allows us to speak our mind and express our opinions. However, expressing these opinions at the sake of others' expense should undoubtedly be avoided.