Just three weeks ago I lost my closest friend. Former governor Stephen Merrill and I had been friends and even law partners during the 42 years I knew him. He was a lifelong Republican, and I am a lifelong Democrat.
Party differences never mattered to us. We had spirited political discussions and disagreements to be sure, but we never questioned each other’s motives, impugned each other’s character, or went away angry. Our differences only energized us and helped us bond. Common interests and common facts were more important to us than common answers.
I valued my years with Steve Merrill, learned much from him, and respected his gifts and style both as a person and a public official. At the end of the day he wanted to win you over, not knock you over. He never believed that he was the repository of all truth and wisdom. He was humble enough to know that and wise enough to realize that his opponent today might be his ally tomorrow.
He burned few bridges but built many. He was curious and open to hearing the ideas of others. I admired his commitment to public service and knew when he and I differed on a political issue or policy matter that he had made a reasoned judgment in reaching his conclusions, even if I disagreed with them. He accorded me the same respect. I was so fortunate to have him as friend. He made me better.
In the days since Steve’s passing, he has been much on my mind. I will miss his energy, his intelligence, and his grace. I will also miss his uncommon wisdom about the world around us.
He was insightfully smart. His passing has caused me to wonder anew why the world he and I matured into and respected, even with its shortcomings, has so sadly deteriorated. Today politics is truly a blood sport where distortion is common and truth often the first victim. Disagreements commonly deteriorate into disparagements and conflicts become acutely personal. Name calling, once the language of the playground, has become accepted at levels never imaginable.
It has become increasingly difficult it seems to differ with another’s views without questioning their motives or their good faith. Our democracy has become more focused on counting heads than finding consensus. Surreal conspiracy theories increasingly abound and alarmingly draw oxygen by the silence of those who know better.
Majority rule only works when minority views are given a fair hearing and accorded respect. The majority today will be the minority tomorrow. That inevitability is seemingly forgotten in today’s politics.
Democracy requires shared values, humility, integrity, and the long view. Otherwise it is just a series of transitory power grabs by one side or the other. The forces marshaling against our once vibrant, healthy democracy are real and growing, and should concern all of us.
Nothing is guaranteed and democracy can die by a thousand cuts, self-inflicted, to win the issue of the day by crushing or discrediting the opposition. Smugness, propaganda, and righteousness are not our friends. We are better than that and our survival as a republic and as a beacon of hope and freedom for those both at home and abroad depend upon it. Pretending otherwise is not the answer. The hour is late.
(John T. Broderick Jr. is a former dean of the University of New Hampshire Law School and the founder of the Warren B. Rudman Center for Justice, Leadership and Public Policy.)