Consistent with the President’s annual State of the Union address, the Intramuralist routinely shares our “State of the Government” perspective, in which we have long respectfully shared the conviction that the current US government is too partisan, too influenced by money, too big, too financially imbalanced, and too far removed from the Constitution. We continue to adhere to each of these assertions. We also continue to believe this is fueled and fostered by many in the leadership of both parties and in the media.
Perhaps motivated by what we’re watching frightfully unfold across the Atlantic, let us make a bold, stubborn encouragement: let’s stop. Let’s stop the fighting here on our own, continental shores.
I mean not to minimize the very real socio-political differences in this country. There indeed exist significant differences in desired policy and effective approach. There are things we need to prudently discern. There are problems we need to solve.
But first, let’s stop the fighting.
Let’s say it even bolder; let’s realize what’s most important.
Everyone has their laundry list of what’s important… platforms they pursue… issues they pronounce… creeds and convictions on which they will in no way compromise… it’s important stuff!
It also actually serves as ammunition — ammunition that fuels the increased partisan calumny.
But notice Ukraine.
They’ve not been known for all thinking alike. They’ve not been known for having a government that all agrees with one another. Their leadership is also not known for embracing identical platforms, issues, creeds nor convictions.
But funny. (Not really).
You can’t see that unlike thinking now. You can’t see the division, partisanship, nor resulting disparagement… you don’t hear the intentional misrepresentation of character, vilification, muckraking, nor media manipulation.
You see a country that’s at war. You see a country that has now had to realize what’s most important.
Ukraine’s situation is horrific. Their government unity is beautiful.
So what about us? Will it take war for us to realize that government unity is beautiful? … Will it take war to rattle us enough so that we stop assuming the people who disagree with our platforms, issues, creeds and convictions are motivated by malice?…
Unity does not mean like thinking, friends. It means we recognize varied, valid perspective exists and we respectfully come together precisely with those varied perspectives in order to find solution. It means we dismiss those specious thoughts of malice.
Consistent with such wisdom, as we’ve articulated previously in our annual State of the Government address, let us repeat arguably the most profound question posed in Pres. Obama’s final SOTU:
“How can we make our politics reflect what’s best in us, and not what’s worst?”
When we vilify, we fuel what’s worst. When we advocate partisanship, we fuel what’s worst. When we misrepresent or muckrake, we fuel what’s worst.
So we ask once more; what will it take?
What will it take for us to realize what’s most important, as our Ukrainian brothers and sisters are heartbreakingly having to do now?…
Lord, please… please let it not be war.
Respectfully…
AR