November 2025
Americans First...
11/01/2025
Americans First: Finding Common Ground Across Political Differences
In the United States, our political conversations are often framed around Democrats and Republicans. These two parties have shaped our national direction for more than 150 years, and their differences in priorities and beliefs are well-known. But it’s important to remember that while their approaches may differ, both sides have contributed ideas that have moved the country forward—and both have been responsible for policies that did not work out as planned. What matters, at the end of the day, is that we are all Americans, and most of our leaders, throughout history, have truly believed they were doing what was best for the country.
When we look back at past presidents, we can see real examples of this. Franklin D. Roosevelt, a Democrat, led the nation through the Great Depression with programs like Social Security and federal work programs. These were bold steps at a time of national crisis. Not everyone agreed with them then, and not everyone does now, but they came from a sincere desire to help a struggling nation stand back on its feet.
On the other side of the political spectrum, Ronald Reagan, a Republican, believed strongly that reducing taxes and government regulation would help spark economic growth. His approach came from a belief in personal responsibility and the power of the private sector. Some praised his policies for helping revive the economy in the 1980s, while others criticized the long-term impact on national debt and income inequality. Again, good intentions, varied outcomes.
Even beyond presidents, both parties have helped shape major national progress. Democrats played key roles in the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act, while Republicans were historically the party of Abraham Lincoln, who led the effort to end slavery. In the early 2000s, President George W. Bush, a Republican, worked to provide global HIV/AIDS relief through the PEPFAR program, which has saved millions of lives around the world. President Barack Obama, a Democrat, passed the Affordable Care Act, aiming to expand healthcare coverage for Americans. Some policies succeeded more than others, and many are still debated today, but the intent behind them was rooted in trying to improve people’s lives. Of course, not every policy or presidency went smoothly. Mistakes happen—sometimes from limited information, other times from political pressure, or simply because times change and the effects of decisions unfold differently than expected. Leaders are human, and governing a nation as large, diverse, and constantly changing as the United States is no simple task.
This is where we, as citizens, come in. It’s easy to fall into “us vs. them” thinking, especially when politics becomes emotional or personal and some communities are attacked directly. But we must step back and remember that the vast majority of us want similar things: security, opportunity, fairness, and a sense of belonging. We may disagree on how to get there, but the destination is often the same.
One of the strengths of American democracy is that it allows us to disagree openly. Debate is not a weakness—it is part of how we grow. But debate works best when we remember that the person on the other side of the conversation is not an enemy. They are a fellow American, just trying to make sense of the world the best way they can.
Currently, democracy itself is being attacked, free speech is being attacked, immigrants, drag queens, and transgender individuals are being attacked These are vital rights that must be defended. Our history shows that progress happens not when one party “wins,” but when we find moments of cooperation and shared purpose. And while political cycles will always shift, the one thing that does not change is that we are still one nation. Neighbors. Co-workers. Families. Community members. Different opinions—same country. That is what truly holds us together.
In the United States, our political conversations are often framed around Democrats and Republicans. These two parties have shaped our national direction for more than 150 years, and their differences in priorities and beliefs are well-known. But it’s important to remember that while their approaches may differ, both sides have contributed ideas that have moved the country forward—and both have been responsible for policies that did not work out as planned. What matters, at the end of the day, is that we are all Americans, and most of our leaders, throughout history, have truly believed they were doing what was best for the country.
When we look back at past presidents, we can see real examples of this. Franklin D. Roosevelt, a Democrat, led the nation through the Great Depression with programs like Social Security and federal work programs. These were bold steps at a time of national crisis. Not everyone agreed with them then, and not everyone does now, but they came from a sincere desire to help a struggling nation stand back on its feet.
On the other side of the political spectrum, Ronald Reagan, a Republican, believed strongly that reducing taxes and government regulation would help spark economic growth. His approach came from a belief in personal responsibility and the power of the private sector. Some praised his policies for helping revive the economy in the 1980s, while others criticized the long-term impact on national debt and income inequality. Again, good intentions, varied outcomes.
Even beyond presidents, both parties have helped shape major national progress. Democrats played key roles in the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act, while Republicans were historically the party of Abraham Lincoln, who led the effort to end slavery. In the early 2000s, President George W. Bush, a Republican, worked to provide global HIV/AIDS relief through the PEPFAR program, which has saved millions of lives around the world. President Barack Obama, a Democrat, passed the Affordable Care Act, aiming to expand healthcare coverage for Americans. Some policies succeeded more than others, and many are still debated today, but the intent behind them was rooted in trying to improve people’s lives. Of course, not every policy or presidency went smoothly. Mistakes happen—sometimes from limited information, other times from political pressure, or simply because times change and the effects of decisions unfold differently than expected. Leaders are human, and governing a nation as large, diverse, and constantly changing as the United States is no simple task.
This is where we, as citizens, come in. It’s easy to fall into “us vs. them” thinking, especially when politics becomes emotional or personal and some communities are attacked directly. But we must step back and remember that the vast majority of us want similar things: security, opportunity, fairness, and a sense of belonging. We may disagree on how to get there, but the destination is often the same.
One of the strengths of American democracy is that it allows us to disagree openly. Debate is not a weakness—it is part of how we grow. But debate works best when we remember that the person on the other side of the conversation is not an enemy. They are a fellow American, just trying to make sense of the world the best way they can.
Currently, democracy itself is being attacked, free speech is being attacked, immigrants, drag queens, and transgender individuals are being attacked These are vital rights that must be defended. Our history shows that progress happens not when one party “wins,” but when we find moments of cooperation and shared purpose. And while political cycles will always shift, the one thing that does not change is that we are still one nation. Neighbors. Co-workers. Families. Community members. Different opinions—same country. That is what truly holds us together.