Are we, is
America, really as far gone as it seems?
Or, from
another perspective, are we really as close to the goal of remaking America as
it seems?
And, in these
two questions lies much of the problem. Ignoring the fringe elements that exist on all
sides, there is a view from one end of the spectrum that sees America and its
way of life, including traditional values, being thrown aside as it reels out
of control trying to satisfy every self-centered and hedonistic demand,
demanding political correctness that has the effect of condemning and silencing
those who disagree. On the other side is
the view that the traditional America and its traditional values and structures
do not well serve the 21st century.
It sees those values as limiting, discriminatory, and bigoted and
believes that only by remaking America and its traditional values can those
negative aspects be eliminated.
We seem to
have reached a point where both sides feel significantly threatened by the
other. So threatened that they believe
that in one way or another the other side should cease to exist. How do we resolve this? Can this be
resolved?
Politicians
are unwilling to discuss and compromise for the good of the country. We cannot look to them for role models. The people have consecutively elected two
outsiders, very different but both sent to Washington in part to shake up the
existing power structure. So far this
has not worked. The first Black President
who had little Washington experience only succeeded in making race relations
worse and in intensifying hatred from both sides. (And I do not want to get into a discussion
of who started it and who is simply reacting, nor do I accept that it is
somehow all based in racism – in my opinion it is far more complicated than
that). Nonetheless, during Obama’s term
in office the country moved significantly to the left, especially in social
values. This delighted some while
terrifying others. The people then elected a complete outsider,
some in the hopes that he would move the country back to its center. President Trump has indeed accomplished much
while in office, but his every word also inflames the Left who, on a daily
basis, try to gin up hatred against him.
I am
unwilling to believe that the only way this can be resolved is to completely
change our form of government from a democratic republic to something
else. Nor do I believe that traditional
America must be locked in a specific time warp never to evolve.
Here is what I believe. I think that a big part of our country’s
current problem is that a large part of our citizenry have no understanding of
our country – its history and its government and how that government
works. Our Constitution is an amazing
document. If we would all take the time
to read it, understand it, and try our very best to follow its directives I
think that would be a strong beginning to solving the serious divide that
currently exists. At least we would all
be on the same page about what our country is and what it is not, how it and
our system of government works. If there
are changes desired or needed, the conversation has to begin with what is the
current actuality. But, more
importantly, I believe that if everyone was schooled in the Constitution and if
citizens believed that as an American that Constitution must be respected and
supported, then I think we would be closer to bridging that which divides us.
And, note,
that understanding, respecting and supporting the Constitution does not mean
that we all must agree or hold the same views and values. That is the beauty of our Constitution and
the form of government it engenders. It
insures a tolerance and a respect for many diverse views. It provides means for us to address
differences and to resolve those differences in a way that is healthy and good
for everyone and the country, regardless of individual preferences or
values. It prohibits the imposition of
just one point of view on the entire citizenry.
Perhaps we should all reread it and give it another try.
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