Dancing in the political middle is tough when you know one side will get all the power

America is so divided politically, socially, racially, and morally, that “One Nation Under God, Indivisible” seems to have disappeared from our cultural landscape. But all may not be lost. Some well-meaning people are suggesting Republicans and Democrats consider moving to the middle from both ends of the extremes to create a Unity Party. There has been enough head-butting between progressives like the AOC/ Squad postured against Trumpers who’ve put “America First” while alienating everyone else.

But dancing in the middle cannot work. Here’s why.

Wishing we could all just get along, as Rodney King suggested three decades ago in the L.A. riots, is not within our grasp. We have drifted way too far apart on several irreconcilable issues. Abortion v. Pro-Life is a deep wound, and the Sexual Identity/Gender Revolution is a full-blown moral conflict across America. And the Immigration/Border Security issue has created a wall from coast to coast so impenetrable as to block any chance at a compromise. It is near impossible to find a middle on these hard issues.

Our continental divide on these moral matters exists because we as a nation of diverse peoples don’t all ascribe to the same core values and priorities.

Some Republican/Conservatives actually believe in absolute truth and moral values — aka Judeo-Christian theology of the Bible — and use that compass in their political thinking. These are the people who will be strongly reticent to dance in the middle.

Meanwhile the Democrat/Progressive crowd has shown high interest in appeasing the interests of vocal racial populations, LBGTQ+ groups, and economically-disadvantaged non-U.S. citizen emigrants from south of the U.S. border. Democrats, too, have dug in, demonstrating an unwillingness to tolerate the values held tightly by their political adversaries mentioned above.

So, who then remains to craft a centrist compromise?

It is only those who are willing to dance in the middle, who will give up their political priorities, convictions and theologies. In exchange for what? Another term in office, public praise, political capital, peace? Peace rarely comes without sacrifice. And lasting peace must have sacrifice from all parties.

The United States of America — correctly defined as a democratic republic — is at war with itself over a single question …. Who will hold the power?

Many Republicans see themselves as defenders of our constitutional democratic republic.

Many Democrats see themselves as providers of whatever the poor, the abused, and the downtrodden need or desire.

Both agendas have merit, and sound good, but they both have greedy, hidden agendas – alleged immoral economic gain for the Republicans when they are in total control, and unlimited political power by pandering for votes to benefit Democrats when they hold the scepter. But aren’t these vices, in fact, one and the same with different labels? He who is king, has it all, right?

Our national greed has set the stage for a conflict that will rent this nation of states into shreds unless we as a people find a common ground that can unite us all. The Middle-Grounders believe it must be a coming-together, a kind of political Kum Ba Yah. But such a compromise will in time lead to a unity that is contrary to the brilliance and purpose of the Constitution itself. Discourse and respect will be muted when there is only one voice — a voice of unity, which will eventually consolidate into what the Founding Fathers feared most and worked hard to prevent for the duration of this Union.

The salvation of ourselves can be found in the words of our own Pledge of Allegiance. Those words are, “Under God.” We must, as a nation, place ourselves under God.

It follows then that we, the people, must recognize that our nation owes its existence to our Creator, whose Word is the fount of wisdom and understanding for our own good. And that Word is where we will find our guidance for self-government on all issues of imminent moral importance — from abortion, to gender identity, humane treatment of others, and, yes, even immigration across our borders.

Rather than moving to the middle, as some would suggest, we must move toward God. He, alone, is omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent. We would do well to seek His favor, His forgiveness, and His Son as our Savior. Our very lives, our children’s future, and the welfare of our neighbors depends on it.

Turn toward the God of our forefathers, who has the power to bless and to remove the blessings. Else we will be left alone, a nation consumed by our own greed and lust for power.

John Trumbo is a member of the Kennewick City Council and a former journalist. He spent several years as a reporter for the Tri-City Herald.