There are few defining moments in our personal lives and even fewer in the political life of our nation. But when those defining moments intersect, it should give all of us pause.
The last three years have been troubling for me to watch and even harder to understand. Silence no longer seems an option.
They have been trying times for our country, too. I don’t say that through the lens of partisan politics but as a proud American who is worried about the health of our fragile experiment in self-government and our changing standing around the world.
Increasingly, I don’t recognize my country and the ideals, values and principles I so readily saluted and accepted in the long-ago, second-floor classroom of my childhood.
America was never perfect nor has it pretended to be, but it has always been the leader; it has always been perfecting itself; and it has always been the last best hope for those in search of a better life.
Just the idea of America inspired me and countless generations before me. It benefited from the courage and character of people and families who sacrificed their lives and treasure on foreign soil to ensure its safety and survival.
In my young eyes and for much of my adult life, the Statue of Liberty symbolized the foundation and promise of our nation and the hallowed worn paths on Ellis Island, where my grandparents disembarked, were the gateway to whatever hard work and character could secure.
The American experience is imperfect to be sure. But it is a history of greater inclusion over time, of struggles resolved, of divisions healed and values shared. The pace of needed progress has sometimes been halting and rarely quick enough or full enough, but progress has always happened and more is needed.
But something is occurring in our country today that should concern every American whatever their party affiliation. America’s core principles that have bound us together in our struggle for a more perfect union are eroding with each passing year.
Amazingly, it is all happening in plain sight. The untethered and uncivil nature of our public discourse, the growing disdain for institutions and entities that have historically buttressed and bound our sometimes-unruly democracy, the untrustworthiness of what our president says and how we view the motives of our fellow Americans are canaries in the mine.
I always took pride in the American character and hoped in some small way to contribute to it as almost all Americans do. There were always “givens” or at least “aspirations” in America: Our president, regardless of party, was expected to be the leader of all of us and summon our better angels; we expected our presidents to be honest with us even if they sometimes failed; we honored the heroism of our veterans including those held captive; we respected the disabled; we were loyal to our allies; we knew our enemies and gave them no quarter; we were grateful to those involved in national intelligence and surveillance who often sacrificed their very lives to keep us safe; we cherished our free press; we found stability in the ingenious nature of our government’s separation of powers; we valued our independent judiciary; we were vigilant in protecting American interests abroad and in advancing human rights across the globe as we dealt with our admitted imperfections at home; we were proud of our immigrant heritage and we wanted more for our children and grandchildren than we had enjoyed ourselves.
But things are changing, fundamental things. Many of these givens and aspirations are under attack – not by hostile foreign forces but by us. Healing is needed and accommodation is essential. Our division will not be healed by the next bombast or even the next election. It will only widen unless we make other choices.
What are we allowing bare-knuckle partisan politics to do to our nation and its promise? What has happened to dignity, compassion and integrity? What has happened to our respect for truth?
For years there has been talk of a two-state solution in the Middle East. I fear it may soon be the prescription for the United States. Too many people have sacrificed too much for too long for us to surrender our republic to the zero-sum game of take-no-prisoner partisan politics. Unless we change, America’s promise may die to the sound of applause. It’s up to us.
(John T. Broderick Jr. is founder and first executive director of the Warren B. Rudman Center for Justice, Leadership and Public Policy.)