Some say how the country is “so divided these days!” without the knowledge that the U.S. has been divided since its independence.

During the Revolutionary War, there were many colonists that remained loyal to the British empire. Those “Tories” wished to hold on to their wealth and power within the colonies and became traitors to the independence movement.

Four score and seven years later, our nation was divided on the question of slavery. Each Southern state that seceded announced their rights to own slaves was worth leaving the union.

The Civil War never united our country. There was still a large population that wanted to hold down people of color. The Ku Klux Klan were cloaked representatives in the fight to ensure that the American dream was just for white people.

The 1960s was a time of great division on both the civil rights of citizens and the Vietnam War. Many wanted the war to continue while millions protested the war and wanted an end to the conflict.

The division is basically the same today. Those who want to hold on to what they have and refuse to share versus those that want all Americans to have a fair chance owning a piece of American Pie.

This election is about those who wish to progress into the future as opposed to holding onto the past. Our ancestors have chosen to support the side of right or wrong. And now we choose to cast our mark on American history. Something for which our grandchildren will either be proud or ashamed of us.

Tom Turner

Augusta