George Bernard Shaw was once quoted stating that "England and America are two nations divided by a common language." Today, America itself is divided by a common language. Reducing the division may help to close the vast gaps and polarization of the nation.

I have previously argued that dropping the adjective hyphen used to classify Americans by race, religion or nationality is essential. We are not white, Black or green Americans. We are plainly Americans. The sooner the nation can grasp that reality, the better off we will be.

That does not mean Americans cannot be proud of their ethnicity or background. But we need to be prouder of being Americans.

Unfortunately, this idea will be opposed on the grounds of insensitivity to identity politics. Identity in this case dominates unity and a sense of national pride. As long as emotion overrides rationality and common sense, the polarization of the nation will persist. And the national motto of “e pluribus unum” (one from many) is reversed to “ex uno plures” (many from one).

Two other phrases need to be exorcised from the political lexicon. The first is “word salad.” The second is “policy.”

"Word salad" is........

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