What is Wrong With Us?
The world has become a place where one's political identity is often treated as a defining personal characteristic. While many align themselves firmly with one side or the other, some still see value in different perspectives and remain fascinated by the extremes on the left and right.
What fuels this divide? Why does political loyalty resemble sports fandom? How can people forgive their side while condemning the other? Why do some rules and religious principles seem selectively applied? And why does everyone seem more interested in blaming the past than actually fixing the present?
As I get older, I ask these questions daily, trying to understand whether I’m missing something or simply observing from the outer rings of reality (which I’ve been known to do).
The "Us vs. Them" Culture: Is It Real?
From my vantage point, it seems very real. People divide into ideological camps, treating political affiliation as a core part of their identity. This tribalism isn’t just about disagreements—it’s about seeing the other side as inherently wrong, dangerous, or even evil.
Political polarization, social media, and the 24-hour news cycle amplify these divisions, making it seem like the country is at war with itself. You may be treated as a traitor or an enemy if you’re not 100% with a particular team. The idea of cooperation or compromise has become a sign of weakness rather than a path forward.
For those of us in the middle, the most fascinating part isn’t that people disagree—it’s that they seem completely unwilling to acknowledge the possibility that they might be wrong.
From my vantage point, it seems very real. People divide into ideological camps, treating political affiliation as a core part of their identity. This tribalism isn’t just about disagreements—it’s about seeing the other side as inherently wrong, dangerous, or even evil.
Political polarization, social media, and the 24-hour news cycle amplify these divisions, making it seem like the country is at war with itself. You may be treated as a traitor or an enemy if you’re not 100% with a particular team. The idea of cooperation or compromise has become a sign of weakness rather than a path forward.
For those of us in the middle, the most fascinating part isn’t that people disagree—it’s that they seem completely unwilling to acknowledge the possibility that they might be wrong.
Picking Your Team?
One of the strangest things about American politics is how it mirrors sports fandom. People pick a side—Democrat or Republican—often based on family history, social circles, or a single key issue, and then they stick with that team no matter what (right or wrong).
This leads to blind loyalty. If a politician from your side does something questionable, you make excuses. If a politician from the other side does the same thing, you demand accountability. This isn’t logic; it’s tribalism.
It’s as if people are no longer debating issues—they’re just cheering for their team. Facts, logic, and even their past positions don’t seem to matter as long as their side “wins.”
One of the strangest things about American politics is how it mirrors sports fandom. People pick a side—Democrat or Republican—often based on family history, social circles, or a single key issue, and then they stick with that team no matter what (right or wrong).
This leads to blind loyalty. If a politician from your side does something questionable, you make excuses. If a politician from the other side does the same thing, you demand accountability. This isn’t logic; it’s tribalism.
It’s as if people are no longer debating issues—they’re just cheering for their team. Facts, logic, and even their past positions don’t seem to matter as long as their side “wins.”
Forgiving One Group but Not Another?
Selective forgiveness is one of the clearest signs of tribalism. If someone from your “team” does something wrong, you look for reasons to justify it. If someone from the other side does the same thing, you call for their downfall.
We see this constantly in politics, religion, and everyday life. People rationalize mistakes made by those they like but hold grudges indefinitely against those they dislike.
What makes one side’s mistakes excusable while the other’s are unforgivable? If principles matter, shouldn’t they apply equally? Yet, repeatedly, I see people twist logic to defend themselves while condemning their opponents.
Selective forgiveness is one of the clearest signs of tribalism. If someone from your “team” does something wrong, you look for reasons to justify it. If someone from the other side does the same thing, you call for their downfall.
We see this constantly in politics, religion, and everyday life. People rationalize mistakes made by those they like but hold grudges indefinitely against those they dislike.
What makes one side’s mistakes excusable while the other’s are unforgivable? If principles matter, shouldn’t they apply equally? Yet, repeatedly, I see people twist logic to defend themselves while condemning their opponents.
Playing the Blame Game Instead of Solving Problems?
Another fascinating aspect of modern politics is the obsession with blaming the past instead of fixing the present.
Pick an issue—economy, healthcare, immigration, or foreign policy—and it gets reduced to a historical blame game. The left blames past Republican administrations; the right blames past Democratic ones. No one takes ownership of the problem at hand. Instead, it’s always "Well, they did it first" or "It’s their fault we’re in this mess"—as if pointing fingers is a valid substitute for leadership.
This constant excuse-making prevents real solutions. Imagine if a CEO spent all their time blaming their predecessor rather than fixing what’s broken. That company would collapse. Yet, in politics, this behavior is rewarded because it keeps people emotionally invested in their "team" rather than expecting results.
At some point, leadership has to mean owning and solving the problem—not just endlessly complaining about who created it.
Another fascinating aspect of modern politics is the obsession with blaming the past instead of fixing the present.
Pick an issue—economy, healthcare, immigration, or foreign policy—and it gets reduced to a historical blame game. The left blames past Republican administrations; the right blames past Democratic ones. No one takes ownership of the problem at hand. Instead, it’s always "Well, they did it first" or "It’s their fault we’re in this mess"—as if pointing fingers is a valid substitute for leadership.
This constant excuse-making prevents real solutions. Imagine if a CEO spent all their time blaming their predecessor rather than fixing what’s broken. That company would collapse. Yet, in politics, this behavior is rewarded because it keeps people emotionally invested in their "team" rather than expecting results.
At some point, leadership has to mean owning and solving the problem—not just endlessly complaining about who created it.
Opinions Have No Borders
I’ve traveled the world many times and had conversations with people from countries that don’t always see eye-to-eye with the U.S. What I’ve found is surprising—most people worldwide speak favorably of America. Many admire our innovation, our opportunities, and our freedoms. Many people I’ve met dream of visiting or even moving here.
That’s not to say the U.S. doesn’t have its critics. If you spend time in France, for example, you’ll find many people who think Americans are too uptight, obsessed with work, or aggressive in foreign affairs. But even with that skepticism, if you visit places like Normandy, you’ll meet French people who will stop and thank you for what the U.S. did in World War II. They recognize Americans' sacrifices, just as we sometimes forget that France helped us win the Revolutionary War.
It’s easy to get caught up in America’s internal divisions and forget that, on the global stage, we are still seen as a land of opportunity. Our problems are real, but so is the world's admiration for what America represents. For the record, I love France and the French people.
I’ve traveled the world many times and had conversations with people from countries that don’t always see eye-to-eye with the U.S. What I’ve found is surprising—most people worldwide speak favorably of America. Many admire our innovation, our opportunities, and our freedoms. Many people I’ve met dream of visiting or even moving here.
That’s not to say the U.S. doesn’t have its critics. If you spend time in France, for example, you’ll find many people who think Americans are too uptight, obsessed with work, or aggressive in foreign affairs. But even with that skepticism, if you visit places like Normandy, you’ll meet French people who will stop and thank you for what the U.S. did in World War II. They recognize Americans' sacrifices, just as we sometimes forget that France helped us win the Revolutionary War.
It’s easy to get caught up in America’s internal divisions and forget that, on the global stage, we are still seen as a land of opportunity. Our problems are real, but so is the world's admiration for what America represents. For the record, I love France and the French people.
A Call to Action: Listen, Learn, and Rebuild
While the “us vs. them” culture is deeply ingrained, it can be broken. However, it will require individual actions and larger systemic changes.
While the “us vs. them” culture is deeply ingrained, it can be broken. However, it will require individual actions and larger systemic changes.
At the Individual Level:
- Listen more—not just to people you agree with but to those who challenge you.
- Consider another point of view—debating from the opposing side, even mentally, can force you to rethink deeply held beliefs.
- Think about the greater good—are your actions and words helping bridge divides or fueling them.
- Read beyond your comfort zone—not just one news source, not just one perspective.
At the Institutional Level:
- Reform the media—reward factual reporting instead of outrage-driven content (on both sides).
- Encourage political transparency—leaders should be accountable for solutions, not just blame.
- Invest in education—teach critical thinking, not ideological loyalty.
- Modernize our political system—consider alternatives that reduce hyper-partisan gridlock.
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