As one who was born in the 1930's, saw the the nation develop into a major world power with tremendous industrial and military strength in the 1940's, consolidate that position of economic strength and world leadership in the 1950's, and lead the free world in resisting the expansion of communism overseas during the next few decades while at the same time expanding the economic and educational opportunities for its citizens at home, it is distressing to see what appears to be a marked decline occur in the well-being of the United States, both domestically and internationally, during the past 10 years. While our overwhelming military strength and superiority is unquestionable, it is not ideally suited to dealing with the new form of international threat, that of terrorism. While our culture is still generally looked up to and valued, the weaknesses and problematic aspects of democracy are becoming increasingly evident, both in our own country and in its international application. Rapid technological, labor, and communication changes have effected the world business and trade markets in ways that have negatively impacted our economic strength and labor opportunities. Massive amounts of money are being made through business transactions, but society as a whole is not benefiting. Unwise wars have further decreased our economic strength and international stature. Our infrastructure needs major upgrading, and the quality of our public education system is diminishing. Poverty and crime are increasingly evident and epidemic on our decaying city streets. The decreasing size and strength of a vibrant middle class is leaving the political landscape more in the hands of those at the extreme upper end of the income scale than previously, and the negative effect this is having on the political process is all too obvious. The political gridlock that is occuring in Washington, and in many state capitols, is the clear result, as compromise to meet the needs of the vast majority of citizens is typically not achieved, and the mounting problems the nation is facing are not being resolved.
When considering the primary ingredients of a nation's strength and effectiveness, five key qualities can readily be identified: economic and industrial strength, military power, governmental effectiveness, international stature, and well-being of its citizens. During the past century, it was during and in the several decades following the 2nd World War, that the United States was at a peak in all these qualities--the clear leader and respected model for much of the world in these ingredients of national greatness. The middle class was growing, our public educational system was exempliary, the political parties could actually cooperate with each other on significant legislative issues, the Supreme Court stuck to the law and avoided partisan positioning, tax rates were high on high income earners but the society as a whole benefited through major advances to our infrastructure, educational effectiveness, and long-delayed social and human rights breakthroughs. Militarily, while under threat of communist expansion, we avoided unwise wars. When a popular general wanted to expand the Korean War into China, he was immediately replaced by the president. The press and media were truly independent, commentators could speak their mind without interference from corporate sponsors, and the public was well-informed on current issues. Our democracy was working, and the nation was clearly moving in a positive direction.
Some cracks began to appear with the Vietnamese War, which was begun on false premises, escalated repeatedly, and tragically, through lies and deceit, and ended in failure. Domestic political foul play led to Watergate, the resignation of a president, and further tarnished our national stature. While our economic and military strength continued to be unrivaled, several relatively weak presidents failed to deal with emerging problems, and the onset of Reaganomics and its major tax changes began a marked shift in the ownership of the nation's wealth, as the middle class and labor movement began a decline in their relative strength, and more wealth began to accumulate and be held by a small percentage of the highest income earners. The end of the Cold War with the Soviet Union temporarily reduced military threat, but any economic advantage was offset by marked changes in the world economy, with cheap labor overseas undercutting our domestic employment opportunities. More income was made by corporations and their executives, but middle class and labor workers were being further negatively impacted.
The 21st Century thus far has only amplified the developing problems. The Bush tax cuts, the threat and reality of terrorist attack, a contrived and unnecessary war in Iraq, mishandling the fight against the bin Laden terrorists and theTaliban in Afghanistan, the economic collapse of 2008 and the avoidance of any real penalties for the corporate executives involved in the malfeasence leading to it are all indications of a government not functioning at high effectiveness. The promise of hope generated by the election of Obama was immediately negated by the opposition party declaring its virtual opposition to anything he might propose, and that its main goal was to insure his defeat in four years. The well-being of the nation was clearly secondary to their political purposes--not an indication of a well-function government. Treasonous, in fact, to some, but an immasculated mainstream, major network media let them get away with it, unlike half a century earlier when respected commentators would often speak out openly against politicians they saw as clearly being irresponsible.
Can our nation begin to function more effectively again? The current political gridlock warrants against it, but we are still a relatively young, vibrant nation. Tremendous energy is expended on both sides of the political divide, but a breakthrough needs to occur in their ability to work together for the common good. It was Obama's desire to facilitate this development, searching for a consensus to emerge. It hasn't happened. Until a strong, moderate political center in both parties develops again, as it did in the 1940's, '50's, and '60's, when our nation seemed to function at peak effectiveness and strength, it is not likely to develop. As citizens, we can't expect our current politicians to markedly change their style or biases. Any change will probably need to begin with us, and with the nature and quality of those we begin to elect. Let's hope we have the wisdom and the energy to meet the challenge, and allow our nation to rise again to the greatness of which it is capable.
