• Political Extremes & The "Us vs. Them" Mentality
• Guidelines For Domestic Unity
• Quotes For Being A "Person United"
• Related Articles

Dear Reader:

"A house divided against itself cannot stand" is an insightful phrase that has been used time and again in American politics, most notably by Abraham Lincoln in his address at the Illinois Republican State Convention on June 16, 1858, referring to the then division between slave and free states. 152 years later, it remains a gem of wisdom. Today, there are so many ways in which we may find ourselves divided: in our politics, our families, even in our own person. However, there is always an alternative. If divided we fall, then united we will stand.

--Anna & Ellie Sherise

By Ellie Sherise

To say that our country is politically divided is an understatement: Listen to any political pundit, radio talk show, or news event covered by the media, and it becomes painfully obvious that we live in an America of left vs. right, Democrat vs. Republican, and most recently progressivism vs. the Founding Fathers. Objectivity in journalism is on its last breath, and it is hard to find the truth in all of those wonderfully twisted sound bites. While the sparring on the Senate floor remains verbal, it's a fight nonetheless, with each side vying for your vote, your money, and your allegiance.

Party lines have become increasingly hardened and extreme, and more than a few politicians seem to place their power and perks over their constituency. (And they talk about greed and corruption on Wall Street!) Elections are won through dehumanizing smear campaigns, not thoughtful debates on policy, and "future" consequences of legislation means, "Will it get me re-elected?" Read More

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By Anna Sherise

There is nothing worse for a family than two parents who are not united. We see this all the time with celebrities: Last year, it was Kate and Jon Gosselin, and now it is Brooke and Charlie Sheen, along with Mel Gibson and Oksana Grigorieva, the mother of his nine-month-old daughter. Unfortunately, we don't have to look to the tabloids to see this phenomenon firsthand. Personally, I have witnessed many of my friends, and even neighbors, fight continuously in front of their children, badmouth their spouses behind their backs, and even lie to outsiders about their partner's behavior.

These couples, who do not work to become unified, often do not understand just how important working together as a cohesive unit is to the success of their relationship. When these partners become parents, it is even more critical to work as a team. If you and your partner are struggling to see eye-to-eye or raise your family, please consider the following guidelines: Read More

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By Ellie Sherise

It may sound counterintuitive, but it is entirely possible to be a "house divided against itself," and by that, I mean a person "at war" with who they are. (I should know, I was one!) And just like any house, if you are "divided" against yourself, you cannot stand: your relationships suffer, your work suffers, your life suffers.

So, in the spirit of being who you are, and liking yourself for who you are, here are a few helpful pearls of wisdom:

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Anna's Angle:
Pro-Life Feminists Are Feminists

Please read Kathleen Parker's "Who's A Real Feminist?", published yesterday about pro-life feminists. Whether you are male or female, the feminist movement has an incredible and continued impact on our society, and I think it is important to consider how each of us personally describes what it means to be a feminist. Although we may not realize it, our description determines how we treat our daughters and what we teach our daughters and sons. In addition, our views of feminism influence how we relate to the opposite sex in both our personal and professional lives. Read More

Ask Anna & Ellie:
Children Are Not Safe With Abusive Wives

Dear Anna and Ellie:

I am the father of four children who has been married to my wife for 10 years. The first seven years where quite rocky with consistent bickering and fighting where at times she has given me a punch, kick or broke my belongings. The main problem is that she is controlling when it comes to my children seeing my parents. She insists on being there if we visit and is angry for days before leading up to the visit. This behavior is noticeable and does affect our children. Read More

It's Okay To Be Happy

Here in the U.S.A. we are granted the right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." But what happens when we find happiness? And how do you keep it? For many of us who come from abusive homes or have simply made a lot of mistakes on the way to happiness, these are actually far more difficult questions to answer than one might expect. However, for the moment, perhaps it's better to start with the "pursuit" angle first. Read More

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