The grapes may definitely be sour because a bitter battle is ahead for this country, but the fact remains that I’m tired.
Specifically, I’m tired of extremely close presidential elections. Whatever happened to the good old days when people actually knew who the election winner was before they put the turkey in the oven for Thanksgiving.
The brunt of the blame can be placed on a lack of uniform voting procedures and an influx of new voting laws. These new laws have not made the process easier or better, just more complicated.
The fact there was a record number of voters turning out to cast ballots is now a bittersweet victory. There is a distinct joy associated with the American people utilizing their rights. But there is also an even more distinctly gut-wrenching agony associated with the clear division between the American people.
Before this election, it could be ignored, but now there is an issue that must be tackled head on.
The last two presidential elections have drawn a line between the American people, and that line is only becoming more defined. This is a line that has not been so close to the center of the population in the past.
The United States is now decidedly broken into factions rather than simply sides.
A broken nation is either prepared to widen the split with extreme measures or begin a healing process. With the passage of polarized social legislation across the nation, the seeds for mending a split population have not been planted this election season.
With one political party in control of the major branches of government, the risk of the smaller side of the divide have their rights, freedoms and voices marginalized.
The minimized voices of a large segment of the population can easily escalate into cultural upheavals that have crushed lesser nations in the past.
If the political leaders do not make an effort to come together to unite the American people, foreign attacks may not be their only concern. As Iraqis and Israelis are aware, domestic terrorism is an epidemic that may be launched with relative ease.
Ultimately, the historical divisions that have existed among party lines must be dissolved to save our democratic society that is meant to ensure freedoms and rights for all.
These lines must be cut before the United States enters into a dark age of political advocacy from which no amount of voting can save it.
Jason E. Hutchins is a senior business administration student from Athens, Ga. He is the opinions editor for The Famuan. contact him at je_hutchins@yahoo.com.