The parties are at war, and the survivors left standing between the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Great State of Texas are the rest of us. The right has become so aggressive in their attacks on President Barack Hussein Obama (I think I saw his birth certificate blowing in the September wind) and the left has become disorganized and scattered (insert poorly tasted donkey joke). Whistle blowers no longer lurk within the carefully constructed walls of un-biased, professional journalism (or Walter Cronkite's jowls) but are rampant throughout the cable news networks, searching greedily for higher ratings, more glory, and the sanity of Glenn Beck. The original ideals of America are still there, they are just hidden under thick layers of paint that have been added throughout our history to the proverbial wall of democracy. (But walls are meant to keep us in, right?) Our country does not suffer from a lack of opinions; far from it. Surely I will not be silenced from voicing mine. Everyone has an opinion on how the United States should be run, and there is nothing wrong with that. (Except when those opinions oppose my own. Then we have a problem, people.) That is what makes America the great land of personal freedoms that it is. However, the pendulum has swung too far. We have become a nation that is too individualistic and disorganized (just look at my apartment). We tend to take our argument for personal freedoms too far; impending on the freedom of those who disagree with our opinion (damnit!). In order for a society that champions the freedom of its citizens to work, there must be a steady foundation on which all stand united. (I say burnt brownie batter works the best in these situations.) Without this foundation, arguments will continue forever in endless circles that take different forms throughout the centuries. Any political or social system will never live up to it’s ideals on paper (however, papyrus hasn't been ruled out); therefore, as a nation, we must find that balance between the privilege of voicing our opposing opinions and uniting respectfully on a common foundation. (Again, brownie batter.) Our parties certainly are failing to do so.