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I know people are exhausted with the political dialogue. I am as well. Government is not meant to be this far forward in our lives. It is meant to be the structural framework behind the scenes so we can pursue the individual and shared goals of our lives. These are very unusual times.
Extraordinary times.
But let’s not forget what is at stake. This is not petty bickering or pointless head bashing over immovable viewpoints. I believe we have unveiled competing visions of American purpose and responsibility, and many of the values that separate us seem irreconcilable. Until the millennium, I believed Americans had more in common than not when it came to the notion of purpose. Now I have a hard time seeing the glue binding us together.
That’s what I think we’re fighting over and what I think is at stake. That’s why our social media dialogue with each other is increasingly less civil, and that’s causing polar opposites to either stop talking with each other or openly despise each other. Unity for unity’s sake is an unholy compromise and not an option for me. We either have a treasure trove of shared values or we don’t. If we don’t, the divisiveness can’t be mended because morality is at the core of personal definition.
If we don’t agree then we don’t agree. I see little evidence that at the core of national purpose there is broad agreement. It is the purpose of leadership to build consensus out of difference to unite disparate elements in strength. Politics is a different game, and it can be a nasty one. If there are competing visions of America up for grabs, I see little choice but to listen closely and then stand firm on moral imperatives. If we find that we have irreconcilable differences, then there is a reason why.
I have already detailed a laundry list of apparently irreconcilable differences in a previous post. Our lack of consensus around civil rights, gender rights, a woman’s right to choose, economic inequality, healthcare, environmental justice, personal weapons, educational opportunity, and America’s international posture are ripping us apart with little healing on the horizon. Let me take a run at boiling it down to just three things I believe are at the core of our national impasse, sharing my own very personal beliefs:
- I believe we live in a global community. I believe that with immense prosperity comes immense responsibility and humility. To put our own national interest entirely first denies the leadership stake we have taken in the world as a result of disproportionate consumption of natural resources and stage time. None of this is incompatible with my love of country.
- I believe the highest purpose of government is peaceful prosperity, evidenced by a profound commitment to establishing and maintaining a level playing field. Government rises to admiration in the administration of justice and fairness. I don’t believe the highest purpose of government is a tax cut. I’m not even sure a tax cut makes my top ten, since most of the benefit will go to wealthy people whose lives won’t be changed by it. Tax reform focused on true fairness makes my top ten.
- I believe government leadership is about public service. It is selfless. It is in awe of its own responsibility and acts accordingly with intellectual rigor and behavioral reserve. It is not authoritarian or autocratic and does not seek to position itself as uniformly superlative. Exemplary leaders bring out the best in us, not the worst. I don’t believe a big job title is about self-aggrandizement, bullying, sloppy thinking, whim, or egomaniacal hubris.
We seem to be descending into a culture war. We’ve already proven we are capable of a Civil War. Is it absolutely unthinkable that could happen again? Try talking to some people who ardently disagree with you on your deepest convictions. Then you decide if we’ve all learned history’s most vital lessons.
I need to focus on my family and friends, my business, and my dreams, same as you, but I’m being emotionally battered by the scope of this attack on my values. This is where my head is at, and I feel a generational obligation to champion resistance. I admire journalists and the media when they take their job seriously. I am a writer so I am part of the media, and I choose words with discipline and scrutiny. Most professional writers I know do the same, despite the click bait and fake news that tempts hacks. To frame the media as our enemy is purely ignorant and dangerous. Close reading, observation, and listening saves lives and is the cornerstone of cultural achievement.
I’m not willing to cross my own lines for false harmony. I know the same is true for those who vehemently disagree with me and feel their convictions are being violated. This probably will end badly, but it’s always crucial to know what we’re fighting for. In these extraordinary times, it is the soul of our nation.
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You might also like these from Ken Goldstein:
 And It’s One, Two, Three, What Are We Fighting For? |
 Proactive Means Now |
 Act Two Begins When You Say So |
 Why Life Becomes a Story |
Originally posted on Corporate Intelligence Radio. Reprinted with permission.
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One other thing that I often think about, is we’re fighting each other on too many fronts that are really very complex issues. Like cops shooting unarmed black kids. Is it racism that’s causing it, or fear by the cops who walk into a split second situation. I certainly don’t know, nor do I think any of you do either. So as a solution, let’s just stop shooting them and see what happens. Does anyone think that black people are still slaves and have no opportunity. I don’t think so, but it appears many do. What’s your solution? Promote blacks… Read more »
I’m afraid there is simply too much distance between our world views to engage in a productive debate. That is the core of my argument. Without enough common ground, we can’t bridge the separation. It’s unfortunate but real.
So what’s your solution, Ken? To rail, and resist, but to what end? End racism. What does that look like? Fair and just compensation. What does that mean? You’ve got to explain what it look like if you want to enlist anyone to help. Unless you want to enlist more resisters to sloganize, but not accomplish anything.
“I’m afraid there is simply too much distance between our world views to engage in a productive debate. That is the core of my argument. Without enough common ground, we can’t bridge the separation. It’s unfortunate but real. I liked the article, and I feel for you sir. Not all positions or perspectives can be reconciled or objectively harmonized. Not every divergence has an immediate resolution. It is important to recognize and acknowledge the boundaries of what we (as well as others) can and cannot reconcile, at least presently- morally, philosophically, ethically, and objectively. It’s important to acknowledge that sometimes… Read more »
Appreciate your acknowledgment in the wisdom that enough is enough. I have had more than enough. The madness has to stop. This President has crossed almost every line of decency imaginable. There is a moral imperative. He needs to stand accountable and get out of the way of intelligent discourse. If people disagree, they can own the lifelong despair of being his apologist.
With all that said, Ken, your conversation changed from etheric social justice, to a diatribe against one man. So you hate trump. OK. But how is this going to stop cops killing unarmed black kids? Or bring about fair compensation for whomever. What is fair for a fast food worker, a middle manager, an executive? I say it’s the wage you accept in the position. Obviously you say something else. But even being asked twice, you still won’t respond. I’m disagreeing with you. I’m not holding any despair for being his apologist, because I never even brought him up. So… Read more »
Very good observation Stacy
While I certainly understand your philosophy, the fact is, Ken, you’ve drawn your line on your side of the debate as as well. You just think yours is better stuff and won’t tolerate anything else. In effect, while preaching for democracy, you’re actively arguing against it. I really do think that you think nothing can be articulated out of the other side as well. The glue that holds us together is the glue of freedom, opportunity and democracy. How we get there is the debate. And if you really don’t want to debate, then we can’t have that, can we?
Great, insightful post, as always Ken. We need to continue to mobilize around these important issues—and that starts with being able to talk about them clearly and articulately. I believe our democracy is worth saving, and I believe it is worth fighting for. What worries me is the people who just shrug and say “well, whatever happens, happens.” That is not me. I want to work together who believe in equality and justice, who understand the vision of “peaceful prosperity” and will put the time and energy to help make that vision of the future happen. Thanks for all.
Thanks, Lisa. I just want people to understand there is no way to be an apologist for a self-serving thug without sharing in the responsibility of the outcome. History will be written in due time. When visions are incompatible, there is no way to cave without compromising one’s deepest convictions. If those who feel good about our President feel the same then so be it, but I am going to call out wrong when I see it. Apologists need not make comparisons to the contrary. We just disagree and we both can’t be right.
Ken, Important points and I agree. Here’s a starting bit of information: The graph (see above) shows that around 75% of today’s US citizens who were born in the 1930s believe it is essential to live in a democracy, whereas for those born in the 1980s the figure plummets to around 30%. This generational decline is evident in Europe too, although it’s not quite as steep.
Pretty scary, huh? It looks like democratic values are distinctly out of fashion with millennials.
https://www.romankrznaric.com/outrospection/2017/06/02/4822
Thanks for sharing this, Jed. I remember in high school one of my U.S. history teachers (a former Navy captain) referring to Vietnam and Korea as current events. Now I wonder if people remember just how recent that was, and the two world wars not long before. Perspective is hard to gain from oral history over experience, but we have to do out best to pass along the lessons we’ve learned. Taking democracy for granted is a serious misstep. We have to nurture and cherish our freedom, not take it for granted or it will be gone in a flash.