In a stump speech promoting the gas tax holiday, Hillary Clinton invoked the first rule of polarization 101, "if you're not with us, then you are against us". It is this mentality that has led to our country being so deeply divided. This is the same thing as, if you don't support the war, you don't support the troops; or, if you don't support immigration reform, you don't want to do what's right for America. Why can't I be with you, but want to do it a different way? To use the with us or against us line is like saying, if you don't want to do it my way, then you are the enemy. I also want to see relief from the high gas prices, but how about lowering them by strengthening the value of our weak dollar, which has contributed to the rise in oil prices and basically everything we import. Better yet, how about creating an environment where wages are dramatically increased so we can afford the high gas prices along with the rising food prices? I have to say, it is somewhat offensive when someone declares me their enemy because I disagree with their proposal to achieve a common goal.

It is this with us or against us mentality that has prevented the compromise which will enable us to solve problems. A true leader understands that you can't bring people together by insulting or declaring them your enemy. The partisan atmosphere we see today is a result of this polarizing line of thinking. Instead of solving problems, we end up with a divided government who spends a majority of their time trying to beat each other. This is like your left or right leg trying to beat the other to the finish line. If both legs moved forward at the same time we would certainly stumble and fall. It is only by the left and the right working together that we can move forward and reach the finish line. And this will not be possible with leaders who declare we must be with them or against them.