Climate change due to (wo)man’s alteration of the environment is viewed overwhelmingly by scientists as a global phenomenon which countries around the globe must all confront or face the consequences. One can say the same of social and political climates, which are global phenomena subject to change based on the actions of men and women.
Following WW II America was known for preferring the high road. While the civil rights struggle of the 60’s initially revealed America’s mean streak (particularly when it comes to race), citizens and the courts made use of existing systems to eventually steer the country towards its ideals. However, in the past several decades, the actions of Republican presidents have led a charge in another direction.
Richard Nixon’s willingness to engage in dirty tricks and obstruct justice when caught demonstrated how easily corruption could control the levers of power. Fortunately, once again the system proved resilient, enabling him to be removed from the Oval Office in disgrace but without violence, thereby restoring our reputation.
George “W” Bush’s invasion of Iraq provided another moral low point when America coerced allies into actions of questionable legality on the international stage. The invasion and its aftermath also showed just how costly American hubris could be. Our reputation in this instance has yet to be fully restored, although President Obama’s restraint in using military power is evidence of how a change of leaders can effectively change the direction of American policy.
With the arrival of Donald Trump, America is leading the world to a much darker place. Hubris certainly plays a large role in Donald Trump’s world, but if there are principles guiding his decisions, they have nothing to do with the moral high road. To the contrary, he has changed the definition of acceptable behavior on the part of individuals and nations. The climate Donald Trump is helping to create world-wide is one where lying, heartlessness, and cruelty are acceptable, and alliances are evaluated strictly on a transitory and transactional basis. As a result, the Saudi ruling family and their henchmen feel empowered to kill and dismember a journalist and offer only one lie after another in response to international condemnation of the murder. At home, a disturbed citizen mailed a dozen or more pipe bombs to critics of President Trump and his administration, after Trump repeatedly encouraged his supporters act forcefully against his critics.
Our country, formerly known as the “Leader of the Free World,” is now leading the world to a new normal, where principles such as The Rule of Law, Due Process, Separation of Powers and basic human decency play no role in decision making, public policy or rhetoric.
In the past America’s systems, based on these principles, proved strong enough to right the ship of state and aim it once again towards democratic ideals. If we can do so now - starting with the midterms - we will help guide the world towards a cooler, more rational political climate. If we don’t, heated rhetoric could all too easily become hot wars on domestic and international battlegrounds.
Following WW II America was known for preferring the high road. While the civil rights struggle of the 60’s initially revealed America’s mean streak (particularly when it comes to race), citizens and the courts made use of existing systems to eventually steer the country towards its ideals. However, in the past several decades, the actions of Republican presidents have led a charge in another direction.
Richard Nixon’s willingness to engage in dirty tricks and obstruct justice when caught demonstrated how easily corruption could control the levers of power. Fortunately, once again the system proved resilient, enabling him to be removed from the Oval Office in disgrace but without violence, thereby restoring our reputation.
George “W” Bush’s invasion of Iraq provided another moral low point when America coerced allies into actions of questionable legality on the international stage. The invasion and its aftermath also showed just how costly American hubris could be. Our reputation in this instance has yet to be fully restored, although President Obama’s restraint in using military power is evidence of how a change of leaders can effectively change the direction of American policy.
With the arrival of Donald Trump, America is leading the world to a much darker place. Hubris certainly plays a large role in Donald Trump’s world, but if there are principles guiding his decisions, they have nothing to do with the moral high road. To the contrary, he has changed the definition of acceptable behavior on the part of individuals and nations. The climate Donald Trump is helping to create world-wide is one where lying, heartlessness, and cruelty are acceptable, and alliances are evaluated strictly on a transitory and transactional basis. As a result, the Saudi ruling family and their henchmen feel empowered to kill and dismember a journalist and offer only one lie after another in response to international condemnation of the murder. At home, a disturbed citizen mailed a dozen or more pipe bombs to critics of President Trump and his administration, after Trump repeatedly encouraged his supporters act forcefully against his critics.
Our country, formerly known as the “Leader of the Free World,” is now leading the world to a new normal, where principles such as The Rule of Law, Due Process, Separation of Powers and basic human decency play no role in decision making, public policy or rhetoric.
In the past America’s systems, based on these principles, proved strong enough to right the ship of state and aim it once again towards democratic ideals. If we can do so now - starting with the midterms - we will help guide the world towards a cooler, more rational political climate. If we don’t, heated rhetoric could all too easily become hot wars on domestic and international battlegrounds.
by Renee Campbell - Guest Contributor
Following a career in music and dance, Ms. Campbell, became active in progressive politics during Barack Obama’s first campaign in 2008. She attended a Wellstone bootcamp for candidates and organizers, which led to blogging. She continued to volunteer and was selected as an OFA Summer Organizing Fellow in 2014. She completed an internship in political consulting and received a M.A. in Political Psychology from Stonybrook University in 2015. She blogs at CitizenSpeaking.net.
