What divides us? It's based on whom we serve

I am forever reading about the great divide in America. We cannot even unite behind a duly-elected president. Believe it or not there was a time in America when once a president was elected, Americans of both parties united to a reasonable degree behind that president.

Recently a TV reporter asked an activist, "Aren't we all Americans?" The activist's response was, "I'm black first." The activist identified as black and lesbian. Her race and sexual preference were bigger to her than her country.

There was a time in America when there was something bigger to us than race and sexual preference. God and country went together so naturally here that youth grew up always knowing that there was something bigger in one's life than self to serve.

I remember when men would ask other men, "Where did you serve?" Back then, they knew that most of us able-bodied American men had done our military duty. Republicans, Democrats, blacks and whites were expected to fight for America and to contribute to America's economic stability. In our past, protectors and contributors to America identified as Americans.

Currently protesters and the entitled identify not as Americans but as victims of America.

I believe that what divides us is that those who have a higher power in their lives serve God and country and those who have no higher power in their lives serve self.

When we serve something bigger than ourselves many become united. When we serve self and self-interest, many become divided.

Charles Danyus

Round Lake Beach