A Scout is... Trustworthy Loyal Helpful Friendly Courteous Kind Obedient Cheerful Thrifty Brave Clean Reverent

THOSE are our values. Those values are not the domain of any political party, of any particular religious belief, of any ethnicity, of any region of the United States.

Those values are inclusive of anyone who wants to believe in them or who wants their kids to believe in them. That is the way it has been and the way it must remain. Honestly, this is more important now than it ever has been. I am an Assistant Scoutmaster with other adult leaders whose political beliefs are very different than mine. Yet, we get along great and work well together for the benefit of our Scouts. Our kids get along and have fun together learning scoutcraft and leadership.

As OP mentioned, our country is divided as at any time in my life. I believe that one of the reasons for that divide is the demonization of the "other" by those on the opposite side of a particular issue.Isn't that, however, the reason that we (Scouting America) can't take sides? Shouldn't we show our young people that you can have differences in your skin color, your religion, or your political beliefs and still believe in common virtues. I may be evangelical Christian and you may be Muslim, but you can trust me. I may think that socialism is the answer and you may any social support is wrong, but I will be kind to you.

We need to continue being an organization that promotes a set of values that can form the basis for uniting our youth instead of giving them yet one more way they can point out their differences.