Salt Lake Tribune: On murder, maturity and cynicism

[bpilgrim]

The '90s saw us beginning to progress and mature. By the 2000 election, we were once again on the cusp of national maturity. But five ultraconservative officeholders -- this time, Supreme Court judges -- put a bullet into our hopes for mature democracy, just as surely as did Kennedy's assassin 40 years ago. The most revered of our governmental institutions was shown to be nothing more than a vehicle for the most base partisanship. An election was halted, votes went uncounted. Our democracy was shown to be oh, so very fragile.

The self-centered and insecure man chosen by the Supreme Court five to occupy the White House was the perfect symbol for an immature nation. Spoiled adolescence was idealized, accumulation of personal wealth lionized and happiness defined as growing richer, not growing up.

Still, there was hope. The usurper's popularity steadily declined -- until 9-11. Once again, we were traumatized. Our self-centered, insecure and bullying response reflected the character of the person installed in the White House. Now, all the sophisticated machinery that money can buy is marshaled to convince us that, like strong but spoiled and traumatized adolescents, we can bully the world and distract ourselves with increased consumption. And, like spoiled adolescents, we won't have to worry about who will pay the bill.

Yet hope remains. In the next presidential election, we have a choice. We can remain an insecure adolescent bully nation, whose citizens are pawns for those who would enrich themselves through our distractions. Or, we can show that we are ready to shoulder the burden of mature adults in a complex and sometimes frightening world that, for all its dangers, offers so many challenges and opportunities for generous and courageous leadership.

more...
http://www.sltrib.com/2003/Nov/11302003/commenta/115654.asp

peace