A Return To Higher Reason

This country was founded on enlightened principles. A revolution was

raised to defend fairer representation and more democratic
self-governance. Much diligent debate and arduous compromise gradually
crafted the constitutional republic we enjoy today, which in its formation
was a worldly beacon for advancing aims of humane civil liberty.

Indulgent evils such as slavery and speculation had to be identified then finally
confronted after generations of ignoring. The union of allied states was torn
asunder by factional fighting over sharp moral division, at terrible cost to
families and peaceful commerce. A gilded age of ugly profiteering later arose,
which in turn sparked progressive reforms and movements to liberalize
conventional attitudes toward traditional institutions.

Now we face our gravest threat -- apathetic complacency. Civic involvement is

sacrificed to personal-device oriented distraction. Election campaigns have
degenerated into a race to the bottom of moral disgust.

Frustration with politics makes formerly willing voters want to withdraw support
from candidates insistent on repeating absurdly irrational claims. Declining
employment circumstances for many workers has led to resigned desperation,
bitter resentment and upon rhetorical prompts of unscrupulous politicians, to
vicious spite.

Authoritarian tactics once defeated by organized resistance to the

consolidation of control, have again seized popular attention. Although
resorting to extreme means can seem justified to zealous partisans anxious for
retribution, a deluded populist mutiny is based on confusing signal with noise.
The only establishment shakeup that security hawks are instigating is the
spreading of a wider terror.

This is not democracy. It is an appeal to lower motives. The public forum has
been hijacked by dangerous egos, dead sure they possess all the correct
answers -- that everyone else is flat wrong and deserves to be dismissed.

***
But inevitably it is the nature of anger to peak at a transitional climax then shift
its target to some other vulnerable subject, lacking the mental discipline to
remain focused. Because its impulsive energy is more raw emotion than
rational response, a brief dalliance with mindless hate eventually dissipates,
opening opportunities for more closely considered strategies.

Impassioned hot-heads on fire with their conspiracy version of reported events,

and hastily assured myths that cover every obvious effect susceptible to an
ascribed cause, cannot sustain automatic mass loyalty indefinitely. Assassins
of democracy, these metaphorical bomb-throwers would lob mortars of hateful
speech and brutal policy at neighborhoods they don't like the color of, yet their
short fuse of loathing delivers nothing but quickly fading flash-bang, confused
reactionary slogans devoid of coherent ideas.

Upon winning office, fervent nationalists have to transition into effective

coalition builders, which proves more difficult than voicing permanent
obstruction to all attempts at progressing toward workable compromise. This is
consistent hard work and their lust for instant vengeance is not interested.
They would much rather whip their base into unthinking rage while
simultaneously turning off any critical self-analysis.

The fact is they have no actual answers, only a lot of loud recriminations. In the
long-run, such isolationist vengeful populism is a politically suicidal game plan
because its exclusionary tone guarantees dwindling support from upcoming
generations who are forced to pay the price of impetuous demagoguery.
Meanwhile quieter, inclusive democratic humanism offers a message of hope
that increasingly has the world's ear.

It is time to ring the bell of liberty worldwide and stand up for valuing human
rights, which include freedom from aggressive antagonism. Opposing opinions
must join the shared discussion already underway, not threaten the body politic
with wounding and dismemberment. Uniting to face problems of a common
future such as environmental destruction and rapidly evolving economic
realities, believers in democratic society need to defend liberal respect for
diverse cultures coexisting in a peaceful world.

-- Eric Lovald