America is caught in a cycle where the language of war dominates our political campaigns and inter-party relations.

This take-no-prisoners mentality has seeped into public discourse, reducing debates to little more than scrimmage. The use of fighting terms creates an atmosphere of constant conflict that deepens divisions and erodes trust.

Instead of engaging in destructive rhetoric, we must focus on getting our government to work to address the critical challenges facing our nation – national security, economic security, and social stability.

The Constitution was intended to encourage bipartisan problem solving

Our call to action is inspired by the courage of a retired Fort Campbell elementary school teacher to engage in democracy via a social media post.

Her post pointed out that elections shape the future of our nation, and 2024 is no exception. We join her in asking whether the presidential or down-ballot candidates have proposed serious solutions to reduce the deficit, address other domestic challenges, or address external threats.

It is clear to us that the Constitution’s checks and balances were not intended for political gain, but to encourage bipartisan problem solving with integrity and cooperation to govern in a positive way.

We open a path to our enemies if we fight among ourselves

The polarization of American society has reached dangerous levels. Dehumanizing people who hold opposing views undermines trust in our democratic process and increases the risk of civil unrest, especially in contested elections.

When political language reflects the terminology of war, the potential for violence increases, threatening the integrity of our political system, economy, and social fabric.

The window for effective action, though the ballot box, is closing. As we grapple with domestic gridlock, the US faces significant external threats from a new “axis of evil” consisting of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. These nations, each with their own agenda, pose serious risks to global stability and US security.

China pursues global dominance through economic and technological means; Russia uses military aggression to destabilize its neighbors; Iran uses its military and proxies to threaten Israel and the US; and North Korea is actively seeking nuclear capabilities to squeeze its neighbors. Acting alone or together, these rogue states form a complex web of challenges that we must be prepared to face—fighting among them prevents unified action.

Commitment to democratic principles is paramount

To effectively manage domestic challenges and defend against external threats, we need to change the tone of our political discourse. The focus must be on electing those willing to move away from rhetorical warfare and toward collaborative, bipartisan solutions. Our senior elected leaders must address domestic issues while crafting a national security strategy that integrates our military, diplomatic, economic and cultural strengths.

Our leaders must prioritize clear communication and commitment to democratic principles to avoid internal instability. Treating politics like a war, digging into policy positions, prevents the compromise that can produce meaningful solutions to our nation’s problems. Instead, encouraging cooperation and healthy debate can address the challenges we face, ensuring a safer future for all Americans. Bipartisan leadership is essential to building a unified nation capable of confronting complex global threats.

Perhaps the most important lessons are truly learned in elementary school. As the late comedian George Carlin once said, “You don’t just teach your children to read. Teach them to question what they read. Teach them to question everything.”

Or, as the retired teacher from Fort Campbell urged us: “Get out and vote. Make sure you can honestly justify your vote – to yourself.”

Louis Buck, a Republican, is currently engaged in developing alternative energy and regenerative agriculture projects. Previously, he was appointed to both federal and state Department of Agriculture leadership positions. He supports global rural economic development and international trade with an emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship.

John “Glad” Castellaw, a Democrat, is a retired Marine lieutenant general who served for 36 years before returning to his family farm in West Tennessee. He remains involved in national security issues through a variety of organizations advocating for food and climate security, as well as company leaders developing tools to defend against human and animal pandemics.

This article originally appeared on the Nashville Tennessean: Opinion: In the US, our real enemies are not each other. Let’s do better