Saying this out loud is a continued act of service to our country. Grief over the trampling of American ideals by a real estate gangster and his rapacious family and cronies, conducting "diplomacy" and military policy is widespread among people of conscience and good will. I think your essay will help a lot of people break through the cognitive dissonance over this catastrophy in governance. We still have what it takes to self-correct from the ground up as a nation.
Your points are excellent. We now have a political party, and portion of the public, that rejects the enlightenment principles behind our declaration and constitution that has obtained power over the government. They have done this with the help of a supplicant media and funding from self serving, malign entities such as tobacco, fossil fuel and others. Virtue and service are no longer the driving forces behind political careers. Corruption and self interest being the levers enabling big money to control government now is the working model. Until we can educate the populace to reality, or incentivize virtue back into public service at the high levels by taking away the corruption of wealth and fame, we as a country will continue our decent into the abyss of corruption, madness and self harm the Republicans and their big money handlers are pulling us into. Too bad the Democrats are tethered to the same problems. Where is the virtuous charismatic well funded leadership that can open the door to using the ripening technology in our fused world to overwrite the tribalism and greed that chains us to the Hobbesian past?
Perfectly written explanation of our US forever wars, and a weak Congress allowing the overreach of executive authority to get into wars abroad. These wars in the Middle East particularly, not only cause thousands of lost lives, they cause divisiveness at home, and produce an economy only good for arms manufacturers and defense contractors. How we move forward to a strong Congress, and away ftom a personalized, cult like devotion to a potus, is the huge challenge for the US now. Our democracy depends upon a solution to correct the balance of our branches of government. And definitely including a more non-partisan SC, truly upholding the constitution and US laws.
It is important to remember that Congress is a very accurate reflection of the American people. We have a representative government. It is widely misunderstood that Congress people LEAD. Most often, MOC enact what is the already-existent consensus. Yes, we live in a minoritarian country; our particular democracy infrastructure is captured / manipulated and that makes accountability and accurate representation difficult to ascertain. But Congressional failure is the reflection of Americans failing.
The America we live in is the America whose rules have been written / distorted by CJ Roberts and concurring justices.
An anti-VRA Republican operative going back to his time in the Reagan White House, Roberts was in competition w/ Judge Lustig for SCOTUS. Think about how different the country would be!!
Roberts talked balls and strikes to GWB and prevailed.
I found this very moving --- for its honesty and idealism. In my day, during the Vietnam War in the 1960s and '70s, we who worked on Capitol Hill as congressional aides --- both Republicans and Democrats --- at least tried to ask the right questions. We were not complicit.
Robert thesis one of the most clear descriptions of the problem with our country currently and the stakes that are at hand. As a former military leader you were able to grow and see clearly the problems at hand. Thank you for this post
Saying this out loud is a continued act of service to our country. Grief over the trampling of American ideals by a real estate gangster and his rapacious family and cronies, conducting "diplomacy" and military policy is widespread among people of conscience and good will. I think your essay will help a lot of people break through the cognitive dissonance over this catastrophy in governance. We still have what it takes to self-correct from the ground up as a nation.
Thank you John. Grief is indeed what I feel.
Agree
Your points are excellent. We now have a political party, and portion of the public, that rejects the enlightenment principles behind our declaration and constitution that has obtained power over the government. They have done this with the help of a supplicant media and funding from self serving, malign entities such as tobacco, fossil fuel and others. Virtue and service are no longer the driving forces behind political careers. Corruption and self interest being the levers enabling big money to control government now is the working model. Until we can educate the populace to reality, or incentivize virtue back into public service at the high levels by taking away the corruption of wealth and fame, we as a country will continue our decent into the abyss of corruption, madness and self harm the Republicans and their big money handlers are pulling us into. Too bad the Democrats are tethered to the same problems. Where is the virtuous charismatic well funded leadership that can open the door to using the ripening technology in our fused world to overwrite the tribalism and greed that chains us to the Hobbesian past?
Thank you for your salient comments
Perfectly written explanation of our US forever wars, and a weak Congress allowing the overreach of executive authority to get into wars abroad. These wars in the Middle East particularly, not only cause thousands of lost lives, they cause divisiveness at home, and produce an economy only good for arms manufacturers and defense contractors. How we move forward to a strong Congress, and away ftom a personalized, cult like devotion to a potus, is the huge challenge for the US now. Our democracy depends upon a solution to correct the balance of our branches of government. And definitely including a more non-partisan SC, truly upholding the constitution and US laws.
Excellent points all - thank you Rain
Another thought — it is not just a weak Congress. It is a corrupted Congress.
It is important to remember that Congress is a very accurate reflection of the American people. We have a representative government. It is widely misunderstood that Congress people LEAD. Most often, MOC enact what is the already-existent consensus. Yes, we live in a minoritarian country; our particular democracy infrastructure is captured / manipulated and that makes accountability and accurate representation difficult to ascertain. But Congressional failure is the reflection of Americans failing.
An additional thought - dark money hits squarely within the Congress. In my estimation, that makes it a nexus for influence peddling and corruption.
Thank you Jessica - a valid point
The America we live in is the America whose rules have been written / distorted by CJ Roberts and concurring justices.
An anti-VRA Republican operative going back to his time in the Reagan White House, Roberts was in competition w/ Judge Lustig for SCOTUS. Think about how different the country would be!!
Roberts talked balls and strikes to GWB and prevailed.
We are in agreement
Spot on assessment from someone who knows of what he speaks
Much appreciated Louis
Not to mention - Confirming incompetent fools to lead. Expertise is necessary in govt. Without it we don't have a republic.
I found this very moving --- for its honesty and idealism. In my day, during the Vietnam War in the 1960s and '70s, we who worked on Capitol Hill as congressional aides --- both Republicans and Democrats --- at least tried to ask the right questions. We were not complicit.
Thanks Greg. It is an emotional topic for me.
Nothing to add to that astute plea for restoration of thoughtful leadership restraint and strong constitutional checks and balances. Amen.
Thank you Doug
We were all young and many of us were idealistic but your memories are better preserved than most.
Thank you
Robert thesis one of the most clear descriptions of the problem with our country currently and the stakes that are at hand. As a former military leader you were able to grow and see clearly the problems at hand. Thank you for this post
Thank you Teri
Where are HASC and SASC in our Congress.
The recent hearings are a farce.