Even though I wrote earlier that the main political division in the U.S. can be seen as one between "the people" and "the corporations" (which under law are increasingly viewed as "people" too) there is another way to describe it. And that is in the differing attitudes toward government.
On the (right) hand a conservatives, libertarians, the NRA, tea party agitators, tax protester, militia members, the KKK and the John Birch Society and pretty much Republicans and haters of every description. And what they hate most is government, American government, and other government-like bodies, like the UN. They definitely don't like Barack Obama, and that is at least in good part because he is black--worse, an "uppity niggra", too educated and too smart--but really, they just don't like government, the government, any government. The Oklahoma City bombing for a federal building by disgruntled white soldiers took place while Bill Clinton was president. That was worse than any terrorist incident we have had so far during the Obama years.
And, on the other hand, the left hand, are those who support government, at least to some degree. In my childhood, this was so commonplace: we saluted when the flag went by on parade, we sand "my country tis' of the and other patriotic songs. We were proud that the U.S. had kept the Nazis at by during WWII, and protected England. We appreciated the many efforts made by the CCC and a host of other alphabet agencies to help mitigate the harm caused by the Great Economic Depression of the 1930s.
We liked the interstate highway system, and the airline system, both developed chiefly by government. We liked the National Park. We were glad that governmental scientists were studying infectious diseases, and pleased to be able to land a man on the moon--actually on the moon, and then bring him back. And on the whole we liked the idea of federal efforts to improve education, reduce poverty, provide health care services for the elderly, make automobiles safer and the air and water cleaner. Desegregation of schools, lunch counters, and buses met opposition mostly on a regional basis. About as far right as the "respectable right" went was Sen. Barry Goldwater, who is well known for saying "to disagree, one doesn't have to be disagreeable." But for most conservatives now, being disagreeable is the essence of politics itself.
So, anyhow, that is another way of looking at our major political divisions. It doesn't work perfectly, in part because philosophies are not consistent adhered to, and so many people are confused. I'm remind of the ladies protesting during the health care debate that they wanted the government to "keep its hands off their Medicare," not realizing of course that Medicare is indeed a very important, very appreciated, and very costly government program.
I'm a pro-government person myself, and always have been. I liked the public library in my home town, and the convenient and inexpensive #3 bus I road all over. I liked that the city sent a jeep to plow the sidewalks--yes, the sidewalks!--clear of snow, and the streets were clear by garbage trucks. Can you imagine how much work it would be if each of us had to do that for ourselves--and how many would fail at the task?
I liked the local public schools, and the public colleges and universities, even though for myself I chose a small private liberal arts school.
For a time, in high school, I took flying lessons, and I was glad that the government had carefully worked out all the requirements and procedures for flying an airplane safely. So was my mom!
Of course, I have complaints. One that quickly comes to mind is that the government hasn't been able to get rid of the damn highway billboards, even though Congress banned them 40 years ago. But that is a gripe, not about government, but about ineffectual government.
Such lists could go on and on. But I think the point is an important one. We do have people, an increasing number and rather diverse group of people, who just hate "the government." It is hard for me to not add that they are mostly ignorant and paranoid but, regardless, they do exist.
And then there are people who at least like the concept of government and find much to be proud of in American governmental values and institutions and programs. There is quite a large number who contribute actively in military, civilian or civic roles.
You won't find them at the tea-party meetings, where they rail against this, that, and the other
You might find them helping to pick up oil sludge on Gulf Coast beaches.
You might find them volunteering at the library or fire department.
And you might be one yourself.
Comments