This isn’t the first time in American history we’ve realized the government we have isn’t working. When Alexander Hamilton wrote those words in 1787, we were very much an experiment. The world had never seen a democracy like ours.
Sure, the concept of our country was borrowed from the ideals of ancient Rome and Greece. But humanity had never seen the concept in action like they did in 1776 or 1787.
Especially not like now.
At the time of writing, our “experiment” is now two hundred and fifty years in progress.
And our government isn’t working.
So “we are called upon to deliberate.”
In an effort to protect my identity in such turbulent times, I will do my best to introduce myself while maintaining a bit of anonymity.
I’m a Millennial. My midwestern family started with two Baby Boomers, and consisted of six children: the first born a Gen X, and the baby a Gen Z.
Insanity. I cannot fathom the grocery bill for six children today, let alone the amount of Robux purchased annually.
Our family is of Scottish descent, our grandmother was an active member of the DAR until her death in 2004. I venture to say we are very, very American– as much as descendants of Scottish immigrants can be.
As such, I feel a liberty to say, again, our government isn’t working.
My intention here isn’t to highlight one party’s failure over another. All past and current political parties have played key roles in our current predicament, but let’s take a look at the two main players:
The Democratic Party, in its current iteration, was founded by opponents of Federalism (aka big government) in the 1820’s. You know them from such hits as a failure to codify reproductive rights, despite multiple sessions of a unified congress and presidency; an unresolved epidemic of Americans (especially veterans) experiencing homelessness; and the in-party fighting that perpetuates putting forth old-guard candidates as opposed to what the party is actually supporting. (*cough* Bernie Sanders *cough*)
The Republican Party, or “GOP” for the Abe Lincoln fans, was founded by antislavery activists in the 1850’s. You’ll remember their greatest hits like repeated tax cuts and financial deregulation stemming from the 1980s despite being “the party of fiscal conservatism”, repeated middle eastern “operations” (can’t call them “wars”, otherwise we’d have to pay widows’ benefits); and the warm embrace of the Oval Office’s current occupant while squeezing their eyes shut against the fact he doesn’t actually represent their party (looking at you, 2016 Mitt Romney.)
Let us deliberate. Not as blue Democrats, nor as red Republicans. As purple Americans. I want to ponder everything in our government and society that has us so divided, and see what middle ground we can find.
I don’t know how this will all manifest. I do know that I will not be allowing comments. Deliberation and discourse is best done face to face, not hidden behind screens (or being barked at by bots.) I might welcome that in the future, but not now- not here.
So! Let us deliberate. And if we’re lucky, let us reason together.
-Pueri Populi
