It is likely that you've heard people, whether they be news media or private citizens, say that the United States is more divided now than at any point since the Civil War. Such an idea isn't too difficult to believe. One could easily back up this statement by simply switching on any cable news outlet in the United States. These stations are exhausted with stories about racial, political, and ideological tension. Liberals and conservatives are constantly waging a war of words against each other, as they sling verbal venom across the political aisle in public, in the media, and in Congress. Not to mention, for the past year, the United States was embroiled in one of the most divisive and controversial presidential elections in memory. Discourse broke down between the candidates and their throngs of supporters, which was an extreme showing of unwillingness to interact with members of opposing political parties—something Congress has been demonstrating for the past eight years. Even now that the election is over, the mass division within the nation continues. At the current time, the president-elect, Donald Trump, is a highly reviled and controversial figure within liberal, and even some conservative, sections of the nation. The liberal wing already rejects him outright, while his core group of supporters devoutly follow him without question—each side feeling justified in their blind actions. So, while we can hope that President Trump has the patience, power, and plan to bring all Americans together in unity, currently there is no end in sight for what could be seen as a Civil Cold War. This could surely lead some Americans to wonder if America could ever truly be united again, or if liberals and conservatives can coexist enough to ensure the preservation of the union.

The answer, at least in my humble view, is yes. The state of the nation in which we find ourselves is one that can be remedied—not remedied in four years or eight years or one-hundred years, but remedied now. The solution to this situation is a simple one if you care to seek a solution. Although modern technology has made the world a more open and accessible place than ever before, the human race as a whole would seem to be splintering itself into self-contained groups. These groups then proceed to uniformly live their lives in a way that subjects them only to the culture and lifestyle of their chosen company, all while ostracizing any influence from outside or opposing groups. When this type of tribal association is partnered with the technological ability to choose what world reality you are subjected to, it creates a bubble. That is the origin of the contemporary division between liberals and conservatives; each side lives in its own political bubble. It is difficult to breakthrough an opposing bubble, but it is also just as difficult to break away from your own bubble. So, when I speak of a simple solution to the problem of the United States' internal disconnect, I am talking about making a concerted effort to step outside of the bubble you currently find yourself in—whether it be liberal or conservative in nature. Setting ourselves apart from each other has made us believe that each side is widely different from the other. If you take a closer look, without being blinded by the bubble, you would see that the people that you find despicable or deplorable are not all that different from you.

Upon reading my solution to make America united again, some might be skeptical or pessimistic of what the outcome might be if they were to extend a hand to the other side. Instead of telling you what will happen, I will show you. The real-world example of my life experience is not only pertinent, but it is also the inspiration behind this writing. My decision to attend college and receive higher education has changed my life in a myriad of ways. One such way that it altered my life was the formation of an earnest friendship with a man that I can, without hesitation, truly call my best friend. If someone who was not familiar with my friend and I saw the two of us independently from each other, it would be my guess that they would never believe us to be as close as we are. In a statement that is devoid of hyperbole, I can say that him and I are different in almost every way conceivable. He prefers the country; I prefer the city. He likes being outdoors; I find the inside more comforting. He is a laborer; I am an academic. It is reasonable that I could fill an entire article just by describing our opposing qualities. However, the most significant variation between us is that he is a conservative and I am a liberal. Surprisingly, and luckily, this difference has never caused conflict between him and I. The most friction that has erupted from our political opposition is the exchange of barbed jests between the two of us. However, the continuation of our friendship is not based around an effort of avoiding the topic of politics. We discuss politics quite frequently, especially when current events call for civil discussion. We agree on some issues, and disagree on others. It is marvelous when we are able to find common ground amongst our beliefs, but, no matter how fervently we disagree on a topic, we make an effort to not argue. I never consider how I live my life to be the perfect schematic for how American civil society should be conducted, but the illustration of my friend and I's closeness is what America needs more of.

There is a historical precedent for the kind of political cooperation between parties that I believe there should be more of in the current political sphere. I have heard those close to the day to day happenings in Washington D.C discuss the idea that the two sides of the political aisle aren't talking anymore. Congressmen and active members of each political party don't know who their opponent is personally. They only see an obstruction to the instillation of their desired legislation. Since the representatives of each party don't see their political critics as more than an enemy, there is no development of empathy or comradery between them. However, in the post-World War II sphere of politics—up until the 21st century—there would seem to have been a sense that even though each party held different beliefs on how to solve the countries troublesome issues, there was a mutual respect fostered between the two parties because of their common designation as Americans. I have encountered several stories about Republicans and Democrats attending lunch together after a day's session of Congress had ended. While this didn't completely solve the problem of arguing, bickering, and often ruthless politicking, the nation's governmental system remained stable and was capable of functioning properly. When friendship fosters across party lines there is a better chance of obtaining cooperation and compromise from your political opposite, even if you do not count yourself among their cabal or agree on every point they make.

Now I don't believe myself to have on any kind of rose tinted glasses about the state of cross party relations in the past. Ours is a two-party system. The two major parties in place have been morphed and a few times completely replaced over the years since our nation's inception, but one fact has stood true for the entirety of American history—the two parties in power engage in a constant contest for the heart and soul of the United States. This brutal political fight can bring out the worst in not only our representatives, but also our citizens—which modern Americans can clearly see nearly every day. A perfect example of this can be gleamed from the beginning years of our country. It involves two of our most well-known Founding Fathers, as well as each being an ex-president of the United States—Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. Jefferson and Adams were close friends during the time of their youth. Like any pairing of friends, they had their differences on certain matters. Those disagreements were put aside, however, and Jefferson and Adams left their mark on history together by helping to facilitate a revolt against the greatest world power of their time and conduct the greatest experiment in political history—The United States of America. After the war was over, governance of the new country took precedent over their friendship. The close relationship of Jefferson and Adams was severed by party lines—Jefferson was a Democratic-Republican and Adams was a Federalist—and the distance between the two revolutionaries only grew greater with age. However, as old age set upon the two men, they began a correspondence by way of letters. This communication lasted fourteen years, and successfully rekindled their broken rapport. They had realized the foolishness of their rivalry, and remained friends until the mutual day of their deaths—July 4th, 1826.

I hope that the American population, both liberals and conservatives alike, can come to the same realization as Jefferson and Adams. We are all Americans trying to do what is best for America and our families. There is no reason for such hate between those of differing political views. Communication is what we need now more than ever, so try to step outside of your comfort zone and dare to expose yourself to ideas that you're not familiar or in complete agreement with. The United States of America, and its ability to adequately progress and strengthen, is dependent on the many becoming one. As I've told you in relation to my own life, you never know what may happen if you extend a hand of friendship and understanding to those that you currently see as your opposition. That person on the other side could end up becoming your closest friend. Due to the revolutionary and disobedient spirit in which this nation was founded upon, Americans can be inherently combative and disagreeable—even with each other. However, we must do our best to remember that even though we may give ourselves labels—like liberal or conservative or Democrat and Republican—we all fall under an even bigger label—American.