It would seem that Obama's two biggest platform positions are "Unity" and "Change".  Change I can deal with... it's Unity that I have a problem with.  For whatever strange reason though, people seem enamoured over this idea that we should be "United".  I suppose it's somehow natural given the name of this great nation is the United States of America.  But in an ironic, and important twist of fate, the one thing that has made this country so incredibly successful isn't our Unity, but rather our Diversity.  Of course, Obama will talk until he's blue in the face about how important diversity is as well.  But when it comes down to brass tacks, the government cannot both enforce Unity and Diversity... and Obama is running for a government office.

When you're talking about pie in the sky ideas, "Unity" sounds great.  We'll be unified!  Who wouldn't want that?  But the next question immediately needs to be... "What are we unified in doing?"  And what do we do with those who disagree?  If I want thing X, and you want thing Y, and the goal is unity... one of us has to lose.  And of course, government only has so many ways to make people do what it wants you to do.  It can take your property, take your freedom, or take your life.  Change for Unity is sounding a lot less desirable now.  I know... I'm sounding cynical here, but I'm a libertarian.  This is how we think.  Apparently that won't be allowed with President Obama though, at least according to his wife:

Barack Obama ... is going to demand that you shed your cynicism. That you put down your divisions. That you come out of your isolation, that you move out of your comfort zones. That you push yourselves to be better. And that you engage. Barack will never allow you to go back to your lives as usual, uninvolved, uninformed.

So he'll fix my soul (or shoes, still not clear on that) and now demand that I shed my cynicism.  Listen buddy, if I want to be cynical, then that's my right.  The President works for the people, not the other way around.

My point in all of this, is that Unity shouldn't even be our goal.  Diversity should be our goal, not just in culture, race, and religion, but also in the day to day activities that everyone participates in, and is allowed to participate in through law.  Do we need unity in smoking?  No.  Let people smoke who want to smoke.  Should there be unity in eating and exercise habits?  No!  Some people like to eat more than others, while some are more athletic.  Should we have unity in insurance?  No!  Some people have different needs and priorities when it comes to insurance, and that shouldn't be mandated either.  Unity in religion?  Nope, try again.  Unity in retirement?  Absolutely not.  Some people may be able to invest differently than others, while some people may want to work later into life than others.

The more I think about it, the more I have a hard time finding a single solitary item that we should be unified through law in, that we already aren't unified in.  So why the sudden push for unity?  Just stop telling me to be like you and the divisiveness we have right now will end.