Until some of the negative rhetoric is brought down we're likely to stay so deeply divided.
It has long been said that people either see a glass as half empty or half full – which is meant to suggest whether one is a pessimist or an optimist. In reality, 50% is always half, something that is perhaps lost to those on social media this week.
On Wednesday, a USA Today/Suffolk University poll found that 50% of Americans now predict that history will judge President Trump as a "failed" president. Most actual historians would say it is simply impossible to know how history will judge Trump as the lasting impact of his policies won't be known.
History has generally been more favorable years after a president leaves the White House. Presidents Ford, Carter and both Bushes weren't exactly seen in the most positive light immediately after their respective departures from the Oval Office, but all are now seen far more favorably.
Of course, it didn't take long for the comments to fly on social media – and once again social media showed how divided the nation is, with many stating their contempt for the President, while others offered their continued support.
Some of the comments were downright hateful, and with comments such as those from @RepublicanSwine, "50% of Americans. I do know there are 74 million people who support an outright criminal and total degenerate as POTUS. Which means there are 74 million Americans I. want. nothing. to. do. with."
Others saw it another way, including @SheepDogSociety, "Well, now we know that "50% of Americans" are totally brainwashed by the Left. And we all know that number is greatly inflated and their polls are fake!! Thank you @POTUS!!"
On that note, let the healing and unity begin!
How can there be any sort of healing if we continue to see such commentary spread across social media? The answer of course is that we'll continue to see a divided country with outright contempt for the other half. It also highlights the fact that such polls are there just to throw gasoline on a wild fire, and to elicit such responses.
Mission accomplished.
At least a few took light of the findings of the poll. @AlbyWeiser was among those who suggested, "50% of Americans are just as f***** stupid as the other 50%"
@Crystal_Monroe suggested, "I don't care how long Twitter makes 50% of Americans trend…. no one believes those fake Polls."
The Other 50%
Once "50% of Americans" began trending it was of course picked up in ways that had nothing to do with President Trump or the election, but showed the contempt for politicians in general.
Ye4us (@ye4us), which is stated on Twitter to be the "Official Plug Kayne West Presidential Campaign," may have summed up the situation best, "50% of Americans would be happy to never hear the words democrat or republican ever again"
@ThePoppedArts had a similar sentiment, "50% of Americans hate #congress. The other 50% despise them. #votethemallout #CongressIsAJoke"
And it wasn't just politics that called out "50%" of the population.
MuslimMarine (@mansoortshams) took time to address another recent survey, "According to PEW over 50% of Americans say they’ve never met a Muslim. That’s crazy! PS: Here are some they should definitely meet. They are serving and protecting America."
Investment strategist Charles Swope (@PFSinvesments) tweeted, "More than 50% of Americans gave themselves a personal finance grade of A or B in a recent survey. I sure hope you are making the grade, but in the same Equifax survey there were some disturbing facts."
@qgenics shared news one wants to hear, "Less than 50% of Americans have waist, glucose, and blood pressure levels in the optimal range."
And perhaps to put everyone in the Christmas spirit there was the tweet from @AdmiralOPG, "50% of Americans agree that It's A Wonderful Life is a garbage movie and needs to go"
With exception of the actual Pew and Equifax surveys, most of these examples aren't scientific. We don't really know if half the country hates It's A Wonderful Life or if it despises Congress. In the latter case, half the country probably gives the government too little thought.
However, all this shows yet again that more and more of the country are seeing the country and even the world as a glass that isn't just half empty it is filled with something no one would drink anyway! Until some of the negative rhetoric is brought down we're likely to stay so deeply divided.
