The American Spirit

As we come down the homestretch, it is obvious that for the last few months we have properly been fixated on a series of critical issues and their political implications. Among them: health insurance, “Black Lives Matter,” two hundred thousand deaths from an almost uncontrolled pandemic, jobs, economic justice, America’s role in a troubled world, and the implications inherent in climate change and global warming.

For many of us theses have been the foci of the political debate. At least that has been Biden’s agenda, while Trump has brushed past all of these issues, and instead his focus has been riveted on urban violence, law and order, a wall on our southern border and opening the economy no matter how many additional thousands it might kill

While ALL of these issues are important, perhaps it is time to step back, take a deep breath, and think about what is more profound than any of them. I speak of the American spirit. Just what is the genius that undergirds who we are, and what are the implications as we are now face to face with perhaps the most important election in the last hundred years?

I believe that in the coming election the American genius will be unveiled. And it is here that we might see the real chasm between the philosophies of our two parties. Of course, I do not take on these observations from a neutral perspective. I have not tried to hide my political preferences. I am a Joe Biden Democrat, and like Biden, a few steps to the left of center, which makes me not progressive enough for some Democrats and too far left for others. Just where we must stand is an honest future debate, but right now our total effort must be focused on winning the election.

What do you see as essential to the American ethos and spirit? Here are two divergent viewpoints.

#On one hand America is an arrogant bitter nation facing the rest of a troubled world with an iron fist

#A self-righteous people ready to discount and to see as potential enemies any nation that does not acknowledge our power

#Science and scientists are discounted if they do not agree with our political goals, even when these goals fly in the face of human survival

#Name-calling replacing common decency and respect

#Fear is used as a bludgeon on political enemies

#Giving lip-service to racial and ethnic equality while holding to white privilege

#Keeping the affluent suburbs free from being contaminated by urban poverty or urban populations

# Walling out those considered either unworthy or just different

#Securing the biggest piece of the pie for those who already have the lion’s share

#We essentially are an angry hopelessly divided nation focused on Orwell’s dark epigram: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than other animals.”
On the other hand *America is a hopeful nation with a positive agenda for a troubled world

*We are a creative optimistic force always ready to be aligned with other nations as together we seek peace and harmony and stand with The United Nations addressing world-shaking issues of violence, hunger, poverty and injustice

*Even so, we clearly reject violence, burning and looting, we believe they have no place in international affairs or in the domestic uprising of citizens seeking a “redress of grievances”
*Science and scientists take preference over politics and economics in addressing issues such as climate change and the pandemic

*We are a gracious people, seeking the good will that treats others with dignity and respect
*We resist the divisiveness that uses fear as a way to control political enemies

*We acknowledge that white male privilege often prohibits us from confronting racial, ethnic and gender inequality

*We seek to further enshrine the call for “one nation, under God with liberty and justice for all”
*We acknowledge our heritage as a nation of immigrants, and seek ways to welcome a responsible number of others seeking a gracious welcome to our shores

*We seek economic justice in tax reform, and stand in solidarity with organized advocates of those America’s left out and marginalized

*We essentially reflect a positive gracious spirit that unites our varied populations, and affirms with John Donne that “no one (nor any nation, race, gender or political party) is an island entire of itself”.