The virtual secession
The election has left no doubt that Americans live in two separate realities
This is the editor's letter in the current issue of The Week magazine.
In his first inaugural address in 1861, with a fractured nation rushing toward civil war, Abraham Lincoln expressed hope that "the better angels of our nature" would save us from a terrible conflagration. It is a plea just as relevant today. A cold civil war has, over the past four years, led to a virtual secession. Americans now live in two separate realities. In one, Donald Trump is a blatantly corrupt and cruel liar who has smashed norms and decency, purged the federal government of ethical public servants, pandered to racists, and cost tens of thousands of Americans their lives by horribly mismanaging the U.S. response to the coronavirus pandemic. In the other, the president is an authentic if bombastic patriot who championed the working class and goosed the economy, and can't be blamed for an overhyped pandemic. Whatever the "fake news" media says can be ignored. The truth can be found on Fox News and Facebook.
Divided we stand . ..for now. But the schism is deep and serious. The two Americas no longer can even agree on the basic facts, and not even obvious truths go undisputed. This divisive election, Ron Brownstein said at The Atlantic, "may be just the opening bell for a decade that tests the nation's cohesion like few others ever have." An optimist might hope that a divided government will force Democrats and Republicans to compromise to address our many pressing problems. But that would require both parties to be motivated by the common good — to listen to their "better angels." In Washington, the party out of power has learned to use obstruction and dysfunction to damage the incumbent, and pave the road to regaining the White House. For Fox, meanwhile, fear, anger, and conspiracy theories will continue to be ratings gold. "We must not be enemies," Lincoln implored in 1861, as dark clouds gathered. Americans were too bitterly divided to hear him then. We may still be.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
William Falk is editor-in-chief of The Week, and has held that role since the magazine's first issue in 2001. He has previously been a reporter, columnist, and editor at the Gannett Westchester Newspapers and at Newsday, where he was part of two reporting teams that won Pulitzer Prizes.
-
Magazine interactive crossword - April 26, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - April 26, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine solutions - April 26, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - April 26, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine printables - April 26, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - April 26, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How powerful is Iran?
Today's big question Islamic republic is facing domestic dissent and 'economic peril' but has a vast military, dangerous allies and a nuclear threat
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US, Israel brace for Iran retaliatory strikes
Speed Read An Iranian attack on Israel is believed to be imminent
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How green onions could swing South Korea's election
The Explainer Country's president has fallen foul of the oldest trick in the campaign book, not knowing the price of groceries
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Ukraine's battle to save Kharkiv from Putin's drones
The Explainer Country's second-largest city has been under almost daily attacks since February amid claims Russia wants to make it uninhabitable
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
India elections 2024: the logistics of world's biggest vote
The Explainer More than 10% of the world's population is registered for a historic democratic exercise, with PM Modi likely to dominate again
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Erdogan set back in key regional elections
Speed Read The main opposition party flipped or held Turkey's biggest cities, including Istanbul
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published