By: G. J. Fortier

Here we go again. I don't really like to get political (please disregard several articles that I wrote during the summer of 2016—and most of my other ones too) but …

As we approach the 2018 mid-term elections, one thing has become glaringly obvious to me. Many of the citizens of this great country have lost their sense of “self”. And no, I'm not confusing this with “identity politics”— which, in my opinion, is just another term for “divide and conquer”. If you're not sure exactly what “identity politics” is, let me explain it to you as I understand it. It all began with the bull-in-a-china-shop mentality called “social justice”. It started with the rise of feminism, combined with the so-called “free love” movement of the late fifties, sixties and especially the seventies. Now, it's not my intention to pick on feminists (God forgive them) because there are far too many—oh, for the sake of argument let's just call them— “factions” to lay blame on any one group for this freight train run amok.

When I was a kid, we were taught in school that the United States was a “melting pot” and that that was a very good thing. It meant that people immigrated—now there's a hot button word—that they immigrated to this country from all over the world, bringing the best and brightest here to assimilate (some of you trekkers out there might think that assimilate is a bad thing but it really isn't because the borg aren't real—and neither is Start Trek) what was best about the culture that they left behind—that's italicized for emphasis. Thereby, they could simultaneously better themselves by pursuing the “American dream” and better the country with their fresh ideas, hard work and contributions to the common good. I, myself, am a second generation American. That means that my grandparents came here on a boat, and then they made a life for themselves. They didn't become burdens to the taxpayers by relying on the charity of others to survive. And when the call rang out, my father, two of my uncles, several cousins, my brother and now my grand-nephew stepped up to serve their country in various branches of the military. And, for goodness sake, how many times do we have to prove that this immigrant formula works? That people from all walks of life, American citizens, volunteered to serve and die for our freedoms. There was WWI, WWII, the cold war, the original Star Wars trilogy, I mean c'mon!

But I digress.

“Identity politics” or “social justice” glorifies not the individual based on their achievement, but on the tribal identity of those who look different or think differently or act in a manner that contradicts the social norm. Anytime we place more emphasis on identifying our differences than on celebrating our commonalities we disparage all that is good about our society. Personally, I find it offensive when people who were born in this country use a qualifier to substantiate their citizenship. By way of example, I was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1963, therefore I am an American. That's where I get my sense of “self”. What I am not (although it's unclear whether I qualify for dual citizenship based on the fact that three of my grandparents were from Ireland) I am not an Irish-American nor am I a Canadian-American (why aren't Canadians Americans?) because my paternal grandfather was from Quebec.

So, where did this idea of separation rather than inclusion come from anyway? In large part, the now defunct Soviet Union. Decades ago, covert Russian operatives (no, this is not the plot of a Tom Clancy novel, it really happened) entered this country illegally and inserted a legacy of dissent inside the very core of our nation to destabilize our government and thus, “divide and conquer” us. Take a look at some of the videos with Yuri Bezmenov, a former KGB agent who defected to Canada in the 1980's, on YouTube. These Soviet operatives sowed these seeds of discord by simply being “good” citizens. By integrating themselves and their families into our communities and patiently awaiting their instructions to begin their real work. And guess what. The results of this dissent have been playing out on our streets and our TV's for years. We just haven't recognized it for what it is. The terrorist organization ANTIFA, which originated in Germany in the 1930's as a counter movement to Nazi fascism, has been hijacked by neo-fascists who have partnered with other “domestic terrorists” that are hellbent on suppressing your God given freedoms. Ironic huh?

I could continue with the history lesson, but I need to get back to the point of this article. The 2018 mid-terms. Two years ago, we Christians, in humility and prayer called upon God to effect a change from where we believed the country was headed. Straight into the tyrannical dispensations of the so-called “progressive left”. I believe that He answered our call but gave us a leader who is by no means perfect. In fact, in my opinion, he's a bit of a scoundrel. But do you know who else was a bit of a scoundrel? King David. But God used David and, I believe, is using our current President to effect positive change. We cannot allow, by our inaction, this momentum to wane. We must, in prayer and supplication, get out to the polls once more and prevent the mob from taking back the congress, thus plunging this nation into chaos for at least the next two years. Whether you like President Trump or not, we, the people of God, must support him and—as much as I hate to say this—the republicans!

Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the King, as the supreme authority, or to governors who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone; love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. 1 Peter 2:13-17 (NIV)

Today is the day. Now is the time. The battle is on!

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)

G. J. Fortier is a member of Ironmen Ministries and First Baptist Church, Centerville, GA. Look for his novels on Amazon on Kindle and paperback. Or visit his website at www.GerardFortier.com