New Rule: No National Divorce! | Real Time with Bill Maher (HBO)

A growing number of Americans support the idea of a "national divorce," but you can’t call yourself a patriot of the United States and not be for the whole “united” part.

[soniamadhukra]

As an Irishman who grew up during the troubles, I can say that the analogy is a little simplistic for sure. And yet, I have used it to some of my American friends. The peace settlement in Ireland involved all of us, north and south, accepting things we didn't want to accept. As a Southern Irish Nationalist I had to accept the reality that 1 million living in the northeast of the island identified as British. I still don't like it, I don't like what they did to my countrymen in the North, and I don't entirely trust that some of them aren't trying to do it again. But I have to acknowledge the reality that they exist, they disagree with me, and no amount of violence will change their minds. In fact, all of the violence just made all of us more entrenched. So grow up America. Accept that you cannot have the country exactly the way you want it, and accept that other people have different views.

[dirkwolf]

Let's remember this is only the 5% on either extreme, the other 90% of the country would like to dump both parties in the ocean.

[ernieswagonjunkremovalmeri]

I am a conservative, thank you for this video. We need more people on both sides saying this. Let's go back to disagreeing and rid the hate. Plus my name is Ryan mahar, lol gotta have some love for Bill.

[Dormir_Descansar]

The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct them to hold in higher esteem those who think alike, than those who think differently. -Nietzche

[seanflynncontact]

I'm from Ireland. I grew up during the troubles and now live in America. I've noticed growing similarities to Northern Ireland. The level of hate here is like the level of hate that lead to the troubles. I should add though that Norther Ireland is not part of of England. It's part of the UK.

[kennysmith]

Bill and I are on the opposite of most issues but I agree with almost all of this. I’m thankful for his voice and encouragement to respect each other

[keihan]

"A growing number of Americans support the idea of a "national divorce, " but you can’t call yourself a patriot of the United States and not be for the whole “united” part."
Thank you for saying this. As a liberal, I support this statement.

[John-zhud]

It’s interesting to hear Bill Maher say politics has become the new religion, somewhat acknowledging religion itself isn’t the problem, but the groupthink - bit more of a nuanced point than he would have made 15 years ago.

One of the challenges in America today is that somehow despite being born an American I frequently feel like more of a foreigner in my own country than when traveling abroad.

[fieldsj]

Lol my best friend of 30 years is a die hard liberal and I’m a die hard Republican…we debate and argue all the time…I’m on my way over to help him clean out his garage 😂😂😂

[Vagnerpegas]

As a brazilian, I know how this feels. We are currently living in the same divisive environment that exists in the USA...

[williamjameslehy]

Northern Ireland is absolutely NOT part of 'England'. It's part of the United Kingdom which contains England (including Cornwall), Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Calling it part of England would be like calling Vermont part of Massachusetts.

[SFUPodcast]

I’m a center right libertarian and I just can’t find common ground with far left or far right ideologies. To be so authoritarian on the left or right is a crazy concept. The federal government and mainstream media push the division, it’s almost like they’re setting us up.

[RoadCaptainEntertain]

“Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.”
George Carlin

[erikvitagliano]

I'm conservative. In an attempt to be fully informed I try to watch liberal outlets as well as conservative ones. Bill Maher is one of those sources. He is a great comedian. And he is an intelligent and witty reporter. I find myself agreeing with him more often than not. This particular piece is amazing and right on point. Bill Maher has been advocating unity for some time. It's great that not only does he bluntly say it here, but that his audience cheers him on for it. Great work Mr Maher. Please keep it up.

[raymondhaigneyiiddsfacs]

Bill, as you talk about getting along, you then mock those you don’t agree with

[jameslaughlin]

Each side: “We are the pure and chosen few, and all the rest are damned; there’s room enough in Hell for you, we don’t want Heaven crammed.” 😡

[TheGavric]

It's true, you can't even talk with "those people"; people who are emotionally dug in, unable to reason and consider facts, and who don't listen but shout over others and interrupt. They're on both sides of every conflict. They always have been. Unfortunately, their numbers have swelled and they are emboldened. Somehow they took the driver's seat and now we're headed for the edge. I share your fears about what may come. Alas, "those people" aren't listening to the likes of you and they can't accept the message regardless.

America doesn't need a divorce. It needs national anger management and therapy.

[Patrick_]

A few states tried a national divorce in 1860-61. It didn't end well....

[brianzimmerman]

This monologue is a good argument for having relatively strong states’ rights and a smaller federal government. We get to sort ourselves within the states we prefer, but still get to come together under one flag.

[ladev]

This was actually a brilliant segment showing we aren't as different as we think and the lines are a bit blurred.