Maybe it’s me, but wouldn’t there be a high level of difficulty to pull a carriage without a horse.

Horse and carriage….or even a horse-drawn wagon; there are certain things in life that are better together than alone.

Take peanut butter as an example. I love the creamy style of that nutty spread. But add a layer of jelly – preferably grape in my case – and the sandwich becomes two slices of heaven.

Life is full of things that are great by themselves, but become utterly fantastic when you add another item.

A hot slice of pizza is even more delicious when you wash it down with an ice-cold beer.

You can stare forever at a blank piece of paper, but that parchment springs to life when you use a pencil or a pen.

A good glass of wine goes better with a slice of cheese.

You can’t tighten a nut without a bolt.

Here’s a few more great combinations when it comes to food: mashed ‘taters and gravy; mac and cheese; fish and chips; spaghetti and meatballs; shrimp and oysters (or flounder, or crab cakes, or clam strips….add whatever seafood you prefer); bacon and eggs; and bread and butter.

And, of course, you need to have salt and pepper at the dinner table.

Movies and popcorn are also inseparable items.

So are soap and water; hammer and nail; hugs and kisses; shoes and socks; back and forth; and up and down.

What’s a good, hot cup of coffee without a dab or two of cream?

I’m not a fan of gin, but those who do consume that type of alcohol swear it goes good with tonic.

If you witness a bolt of lightning, there’s a 100 percent chance that a clap of thunder will follow.

And then there are extreme opposites.

You’re either dead or alive; accepted or refused; asleep or awake; ancient or modern.

You can attack or defend; agree or disagree. You are either an ally or the enemy; big or small; black or white; blamed or praised; calm or troubled; cunning or simple-minded; and wet or dry.

You’re either inside or outside; inferior or superior; first or last; righthanded or a southpaw; merry or sad; patient or inpatient; rich or poor; slow or fast; rough or smooth; hot or cold; and strong or weak.

You either purchase expensive items or shop for the cheap stuff.

Whenever you arrive, at some point you must depart.

And perhaps the biggest opposite in humans comes in our political beliefs.

Lately, especially here in the United States of America on the heels of Donald Trump’s election as President, Democrats and Republicans are at odds. Those two political parties have long been at the opposite end of the political spectrum, but that gap has seemingly widened since the 2016 election.

We can do better, people. I’m conservative in nature, and my political beliefs follow that ideal. But yet I’m not blind as to the needs of others.

However you look at it; whatever political stance you have, we all have to understand that we, as citizens of the United States, are joined at the hip by a document known as the Constitution. Love it or hate it, those words form the base of our Republic.

What really bothers me is the way people either want to totally ignore the foundation of our nation or interpret it to suit their agenda.

Just like the examples I mentioned earlier about opposites, we can’t have it both ways. The Constitution is the supreme law of the United States. It’s been around since 1789 and amended on 27 occasions in an ongoing effort to meet the changing needs of our nation.

It begins with three simple words….We the people. It was written to serve the rightful citizens of this great land. It is a document that embodies the fundamental laws and principles of our nation.

The Constitution and adhering to its words are like peanut butter and jelly….they go great when paired together.

 

Cal Bryant is the Editor of Roanoke-Chowan Publications. Contact him at cal.bryant@r-cnews.com or 252-332-7207.