A recent article
on CNN briefly outlined a Gallup poll asked people if they think the
Founding Fathers would or would not view the current U.S. in a favorable
light. Basically, the poll, or rather its
analyses, suggests that political affiliation has an effect on responses. Since
a Democrat is in the White House, it seems Republicans think that the Founding
Fathers would disapprove of our current situation. It's not hard to imagine the responses of
democrats if a republican were in the White House.
But would the Founding Fathers disapprove based on political
party affiliation? While there were some
heated animosity between political parties in the late 1700s, I doubt the Founding
Fathers would judge the country based on which party seated the president. One
of the greatest aspects of the founding of this country was the ability for its
founders to disagree in a "proper" way.
To illustrate what I mean, let's look at today's political
scene. Who would argue that it is not
a mess? There is so much animosity,
enmity and polarization that any effort of progress, learning, discovery and
innovation is thwarted just as it begins. Today's politicians, and the American
public at large, do not know how to disagree in a way that enables discussion,
progress and problem solving that the Founding Fathers held as a foundation to
Democracy and enlightenment.
Back then, people gathered to discuss topics large and
small. Perhaps that shared a pint of
beer in the process. If they could not
gather in person, handwritten letters were sent, which sometimes took months
to complete a correspondence. As such,
it was important to choose words deliberately to make a point, question or
observation crystal clear to the reader. Thought was put into every sentence
spoken and written, as well as heard or read.
And I think this is the main reason why our country's
founders would vehemently disapprove of their country today. Mindless
bickering, baseless accusations, and the sheer inability and refusal of some people to honestly
listen to others. The zero-sum attitude of modern politicians and many voters
is not healthy for any society, especially not for one as diverse as the modern
United States of America. We need to get
back to face-to-face discussion, to listen intently to others--not to pick
apart a statement, but to learn, entertain open dialogue, to add thought to instant communication, and
to realize that diversity means that nobody will get all they want.
