Everyone remembers where they were on that fateful day, seven years ago. But as I wrote two years ago, something else came out of that event: for a while, we became a nation united.
We were united in our grief for the loss of lives so senselessly, in our anger that someone would dare to attack us on our own soil – and in our fear that such a thing could happen again.
Today, we are far removed from that unity. In fact, I believe we are more divided now than ever before. The things that separate us – race, age, sex, gender, party affiliation, among them – are highlighted much more than the things that bring us together.
How I wish there was a way to recapture the time when we were all Americans, when that alone was enough to unite us. If there was a lesson in the atrocious acts of that day, it was that such a thing was possible in this diverse society of ours.
Perhaps we can, for one day at least, set aside our differences.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
I agree with all but one point, that our party affiliation divides us. Rather, I think that it is the other things that divide us that lead us to segregate ourselves into political parties.
“How I wish there was a way to recapture the time when we were all Americans, when that alone was enough to unite us.”
Vivian,
What do you suggest we do to find a solution, to your opinion, that we are not all Americans today?
Thankfully not everyone in America thinks that our most dangerous enemies are other Americans. That particular brand of McCarthyism and unAmerican militantism is blessedly a minority opinion among our more-mainstream brothers and sisters–they may be a vocal minority, but I fortunately get out enough to still have faith in the American people. You may not find them often enough on the blogs or on the news, but there are good folks out there of all reglious creeds, ethnic backgrounds, financial means and political beliefs.
E pluribus unum.
How can Americans be united if the whole system is based on ferocious, reckless,competition and individuality?
When there are no limits to twisting reality, to slandering and destroying others’ dignity?
When it is a sin for a leader to be intellectual and well-informed?
I fear for our democracy when people can be so gullible and easy to manipulate.