Prior to this past election, America was an increasingly divided landscape of polar interests. One side craved order and the other disorder. One side craved closed, secure borders and the other open borders. One side craved endless government spending and the other craved shrinking government.

And by "side," I don't completely mean political party. Some Republicans were in lockstep with Democrats on these issues. But Americans had a dual personality, it seemed, that swung on who won the election and then you would find out which personality would emerge for the coming term.

For this reason, the so-called United States makes for a lousy partner in foreign affairs. Trump makes policy, then Biden is allowed into office afterward and our relationships and policies change completely. There is no stability in that. That dichotomy would understandably make other nations hesitant to deal with us. No one likes a spouse who changes their mind every other day on important issues. Business loves stability and consistency.

Barack Obama, who thankfully got shown the door in this past election cycle, used to lecture us on "who we are." People have decided that they don't like his definition of "who we are." Good. That guy's an idiot.

So, who are we? And do we have the capacity to settle on that definition for a while?

When America started, one of our most foundational documents stated:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
"Pursuit of Happiness," of course, was a flourished pseudonym for "property."

Imagine a society where everyone had universal respect for life, for liberty, and for property. In such a culture, there is no crime. It seems to me, that if we are to have a common American culture, that seems like a good basis. No matter what faith you hold, and even if you lack faith, that works. The atheist gender studies major Harris voter doesn't want her iPad stolen from her. Nor does she want to be assaulted. Respect for life, liberty, and property is agreeable to everyone.

Our representatives in government have a perch from which they can urge a common culture. Respect is a good place to start. The now-almost-never-heard phrase "productive member of society" is perhaps another.

Allowing lawlessness and championing criminals over victims is literally not who we are. But by allowing some into office, it is what we have allowed our policy to become. That's not respect for life, liberty, and property. That doesn't make our lives safer or less expensive. Respect must assert consequences for lack of respect.

The new year is almost here. Soon, President Donald J. Trump will again take office. American society will change. Other politicians will also take office at every level of government.

Let's push them to advocate for a very American culture of respect for life, liberty, and property. Imagine if such a culture existed in our public schools. So many problems disappear if we urge that culture into our institutions.

When there is consistency and stability, people feel confident to make plans for the future. In 2025, we can all assert a culture that helps strengthen our future. What a great New Year's Resolution that would be.