I have often been told I should spend more time outlining what I believe, rather than what I oppose. Therefore, I am going to challenge myself to outline affirmatively what I believe each of the next fourteen days. While this may lean more toward principle, values and foundation than actual policy prescription, it forms the basis for whatever policy prescriptions I might support (or oppose).
Day 1
We must put aside identity politics on the left and "us vs. them" politics on the right, instead living up to our nation's founding creed that all men (and all women of all races, creeds and colors) are created equal. Let us respect what makes each of us unique, but celebrate that which unites us.
Day 2
We must engage those we disagree with in a battle of ideas. It is fine to question the media, it is fine to question those we disagree with. It is even fine to question faith. But it is not fine to immediately dismiss those with whom we disagree simply because we disagree. Instead, we must engage them in a search for understanding and common ground using the rights to freedom of speech, press and religion enshrined in the First Amendment, otherwise we will find ourselves engaging each other using the rights enshrined in the Second. We cannot permit that for a house divided against itself cannot stand.
Day 3
We must recognize the difference between ends and means. Most of what we argue about - limited government, redistribution of wealth, free markets, regulation, taxes, spending – are simply means to an end. The ends we seek as a nation are enshrined in the Preamble to the United States Constitution:
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
If we are the Constitutionalists we claim to be, let’s begin first with the end in mind - and let that mind be an open one as we seek how best to attain the true vision our founding fathers had for this great experiment in self-government.
Day 4
It is important we recognize that the era of general peace and prosperity the world has enjoyed since the end of WWII is largely due to our nation’s efforts and investments in global affairs. Human endeavors are subject to the laws of nature, one of which – the Second Law of Thermodynamics – states that the universe trends toward disorder without an input of energy. We can argue whether it’s fair that the U.S. must supply a disproportionate amount of the resources required to maintain order, but we must recognize that whatever the financial cost we have borne to maintain that order is far preferable to the tragic human cost that has been, and must be, paid to restore it.
Day 5
We should recognize that neither free markets, nor government are the panacea nor evil that some make them out to be. Both have their place and their drawbacks, with each serving as another important check and balance in our system of self-governance. Free markets naturally resist the imposition of an overbearing government that would limit human endeavor and ingenuity, while government restrains the worst in human nature that often manifests itself in the exploitation of free markets for personal gain at the expense of workers, customers and society.
Day 6
History shows that long before tyrants seek to confiscate guns, they first discredit the elites, academics and truth-tellers. Whether Lenin’s attacks on the intelligentsia, Mussolini’s promise to “drenare la palude” (drain the swamp) or Hitler’s attacks on the Lugenpresse (lying press), each first seized control of the “truth,” twisting it to quell dissent before seeking control of arms. Once in control of the narrative, the government could then act with impunity and the people obeyed passively. We must therefore learn from history and hold our First Amendment rights in at least as much esteem and defend them as unwaveringly as those in the Second, lest we find ourselves armed to the teeth with nothing left worth defending.
Day 7
We must rediscover community. We are a nation of immigrants, millions of people who left home, family and congregation to seek a better life in America. But once here, they settled in places reminiscent of home - Chinatown, Little Italy, Hamtramck - where they formed communities in the truest sense of the word. Their children then took advantage of the educational and economic opportunities afforded them, settling into lifelong careers that placed many in the same home, parish and community for a lifetime, leading to lives with a far richer texture than many enjoy today. Today's lack of community has turned us into a nation of seekers full of angst, unsettled by change and uncertainty as we create more change and uncertainty in search of...what?
Family, friends and community are far more important than the latest smartphone or larger flatscreen TV. We must take care of our families - and wealth allows us to attack many ills our forebearers suffered - but we must not sacrifice our connection to others in pursuit of wealth, either individually or collectively. It is only through connection to people who matter that we can truly find Life, Liberty and Happiness.
Day 8
Emotions win elections, but we must acknowledge that not all emotions are healthy. Confidence, optimism, resolve and compassion are foundations for both a healthy life and healthy society. Fear, anger, mistrust and selfishness are not. We can be vigilant without being fearful, compassionate without being weak, resolute without being bullies. Let's base our politics - the means to the ends we seek - on healthy emotions, while looking into our own hearts and minds to purge emotions detrimental to the health of democracy and the soul of society.
Day 9
Compromise is not a dirty word. The United States itself would not exist had our founding fathers not compromised on the powers of the presidency, the structure of Congress. the counting of slaves in electoral and Congressional apportionment and the inclusion of a Bill of Rights. It was imperfect, but the alternative would have been a continent of potentially hostile nation-states. We must learn from their lesson that imperfect agreement, rather than perfect obstinance, is the only path to a more perfect union.
Day 10
With rights come responsibility, and among the most important responsibilities is to remain informed. This means studying history, seeking hard journalism and perusing sources we do not necessarily agree with. History gives us an understanding of where we've been and how actions have real consequences. Hard journalism is history's first draft, giving us insight into where we are. And differing opinions act like resistance training for the mind, keeping us sharp and flexible as we try to discern where events might lead. Wisdom can only rise from thoughtfully considered, fact-based knowledge. Therefore, facts matter, knowledge is good and the wisdom they can deliver should be our goal and our guide.
Day 11
Civil is the root word of civilization. Therefore, to succeed and sustain society, we must learn (or relearn) to be civil with one another. That begins with respect, not only for others but for ourselves, for it is impossible to respect others without self respect. It is possible to question and criticize respectfully, and when we ourselves are the target of vitriol and disrespect, we must learn to turn the other cheek. It is hard, but it's also why walking away or seeking the high road is a sign of strength of character and self esteem. Let us be strong - resolute - in demanding civility of ourselves and our public officials.
Day 12
We must tread lightly regarding religious faith and politics. While many of our founding fathers were deeply religious, they were also wary of mixing faith and politics. If the two are to cross paths, we would be well-served to turn to Lincoln for guidance. His Second Inaugural, regarded by many as the finest speech in US political history, surpassing even Gettysburg, could easily be mistaken for a Sunday sermon. Yet, it was far from an infusion of faith into politics, where one leans on God to impose one's beliefs to control the behavior of others. Instead, it was an attempt to frame the Civil War and future turmoil as God's price for the sin of slavery. It was faith as a path to understanding rather than a path to power. Those are two very different applications of faith. Lincoln's example was faith as a foundation of life itself, outside of politics, which is precisely where it should remain.
Day 13
Values are the basis for culture. That is true of a team, an organization or a society. Therefore, the values we expect of our elected leaders will become the basis of our culture. Falling into the trap of believing all politicians lie, cheat and steal will make it so. Conversely, if we make moral character built on values of honesty and integrity, rather than politics and policy, the minimum threshold upon which we choose our leaders, and hold them accountable for same, we will see government and society reflect those values - from our local boards and councils to Washington, D.C.
Day 14
Day 14: Defending democracy demands that we defend the institutions that make it possible, the institutions upon which it relies. These are the rule of law, free elections, a free press, the separation of powers. I've said it often, but when faith in banks is destroyed, banks fail. When faith in currencies is destroyed, currencies fail. And when faith in the institutions of democracy is destroyed, democracies fail. We must defend those institutions. Not blindly - nothing should be defended blindly - but when they are attacked we must question the motive of those attacking them and consider the charges with as clear and open a mind as possible. And if those charges are the least bit suspect, we must defend those institutions as though our lives, liberty and happiness depends upon it. Because they do.
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