The Disunited States

E. Pluribus Dis-Unum. Public Domain image obtained via Wikipedia.

I'm reading a very current book on the status of division in the United States. It reminds me of the historical debate over the correct verb, singular or plural: "The United States is . . ." versus "The United States are . . ." For my lifetime, the United States has been considered a single country or nation. I now see the distinct possibility that the states may gain a larger measure of autonomy, or form new federations, and that we may be referred to in the plural.

I love this country, or at least what it once was, and I don't want to see it breakup. But I'm also resigned to the fact that there are over 300 million people in the US, and it is not up to me alone.