Okay, let’s admit it: We live in a divided country. There are pro- Trump people and anti-Trump people. Both “sides” seem equally adamant about defending their position. Passion often trumps reason. (Pun intended.) The divide has damaged friendships, families and even marriages. Readers of this column — and anyone who knows me — can guess which side I’m on.

People on both sides, I believe, must try to understand the “other side.” That said, we must also agree on certain common principles and realities, on the touchstones of American democracy. Here’s my take on some of the principles that make America America.

The media is not the enemy of the people. The media does not always get it right, but our democracy depends upon the preservation of a free press; the United States is not a banana republic. (The First Amendment: “Congress shall make no laws respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press; or of the right of people to assemble, or to petition the government for a redress of grievance.”)

We must preserve the complete separation of church and state. (See First Amendment above.)

We must preserve the right of people to protest peacefully. Would civil rights laws have been enacted without peaceful protest? Would women have been granted the right to vote if women hadn’t taken to the streets? Did massive protests play a role in ending the ill-conceived Vietnam War? (Again, see First Amendment above.)

We must preserve the system of checks and balances. The three branches of government — executive, legislative and judicial — were put in place so that none of them could grab too much power. No one is above the law, not even the president.

The health of the environment matters to everyone on this planet. Moreover, the scientists who study the environment are in the best position to help us navigate environmental issues.

Truth, accountability and character matter in a democracy and in those who hold the reins of power — in a government, a business, a college, a school, a church, a nonprofit organization, wherever.

The United States is a real country with a proud, if not perfect, past. It is not a reality television show.

The worth and wealth of the United States has depended almost entirely upon immigrants and the descendants of immigrants.

Every person’s vote should count. Moreover, no efforts to prevent legally registered voters from voting should be tolerated.

The President of the United States should serve as the President of all the people, not just the Republicans or just the Democrats. He or she should serve as a unifier, not a divider.

Members of Congress should not be focused on lining their pockets and getting re-elected. Rather, they should view serving the nation and preserving Constitutional principles as their top priorities

Bullying is bad. Period.

That’s it for now. Some people, I daresay, might view this list as somehow biased. If that’s the case, I encourage those people to write a letter to the editor indicating which of these principles seems unAmerican and perhaps suggesting other principles more to their liking. Thank you.

David Treadwell, a Brunswick writer, welcomes commentary and suggestions for future “Just a Little Old” columns. [email protected].