A VIEW FROM THE INTERSTATE

A welder’s daughter on how we built and lost representative democracy and a broad middle class

 Post the Great Depression and WW II, Americans were united in their desire for unity. They set out to unite fifty diverse states and many geographic and culturally different regions with very diverse histories and economic resources (and limitations) into what would become the most unified, efficient and productive commercial system and consumer market — with the largest and most prosperous middle class — in the world. 

They did it with investment in transportation resources that unified energy, manufacturing and distribution hubs. And with education that furthered technological development and, as did their transportation investments, created new opportunities. Plus, they used both investment and regulation to help privately owned communication companies create mass culture that engaged the whole nation. (Which made some critics complain about what they saw as a developing “conformity” and others denounce “the culture” as well as “the media” for undermining traditional and local values.) 

Not everything they did was, long term, as successful as they wanted; but on that criteria no human society ever has been. They did what humans usually do; compromised too much on some things, ignored others, failed to recognize actions that needed to be taken and indulged both naive and self-interested (greedy) assumptions that would undermine some long term goals and, eventually, our unity in the here and now. 

As someone who, as a result of my father’s work as a highly skilled and in-demand “traveling” welder who engaged with many new tech advances and projects in that era, I saw a lot of the country — and both the before and after of those investments. Including a lot of, I think, important and useful things that we forget or never thought much about at the time or after, that have bearing on where we are now. 

As an adult, that youthful experience and the Great Depression learning that led my Dad to encourage my brother and me to always “pay attention” to the changes capitalism, sometimes very quickly and, eventually, always, generates, as well as our important responsibilities as citizens, has always made me interested in following what was happening in and to the country economically and politically. 

That, and the increasing division and anger that our current politics and public conversations have set in place, has made me not just want to speak up but to speak with others.

I want to talk about how mid-20th century Americans did what they did and how we got here, to where we are today, not to suggest we need to go back in time — as some people sometimes do. That’s an impossibility. And whether it’s the 1950s or the 19th century, very few would be happy with the results of trying. Because both eras had their faults, and inevitably we’ve gained some things we now don’t want to lose. 

Instead, I hope together we can add to or start some new conversations, and hope about how we once again unite the country. (Always, since our inception as THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA our biggest, hardest, most persistent problem). And, in doing so, successfully regain public ideals that I think have always been among the most broadly shared American ideas; seeking and supporting the common interest, generalized prosperity, broad opportunity and a workable political culture that provides us with, and protects, truly representative democratic government.

But before we can do that, we have to talk first about how we talk to each other and about each other.

What’s our problem?

Over the last several decades we, all of us, have, actively and intentionally or not, dissolved our common language and public debates in acid. 

The bi-partisan acid of relentless disdain, self-righteous and self-serving judgement, extreme hypocrisy and partisanship.  Inspired by greed and the search for power.

In the process we’ve turned our public conversations into babble. And lost both trust and confidence in others and ourselves. 

We’ve gone from broadcasting merry jingles and stated confidence in American values and dreams, to casting others as fearful demons and smirking depictions of cruelty, violence and threat. From corrosive and constant oppo research for dirt, to making up distributing absolutely any lie that might be lucrative and useful.  Turning necessary efforts at unity and understanding each other and our common interests, into destructive reliance on empty stereotypes and misleading rhetoric.

Is it any wonder that some Americans are now willing to believe anything — while many others believe nothing at all?

I think we’ve already noticed that correcting our damaged public assumptions and perceptions by trying to identify the lies and liars is no longer a useful enterprise. 

Because the whole environment is now dishonest; we’re living in a world of lies. And fantasy (reassuring for some, terrorizing for others). 

And, have only just begun to (outraged and too often at each other’s throats) wake up.

Why this website?

Most of us across the political spectrum know and agree, and have for some time now, that our political conversations no longer make much sense or lead to competent actions that are desired by a majority. 

But we don’t agree on why that is. Or who to blame. Except, knee jerk and often, “the media.” 

It's true, we don’t have many reasons to trust the overwhelming number of information resources vying for our attention, votes and/or money. Every one of them claiming to have just what we need and are looking for; whether we’re hoping for something well sourced and objective or something scandalous with a  promise of hidden secrets and exclusive revelations, something confirmed by  “the gut” or academic resources — or, coming straight from the mouth of God.

It’s also true, few in the audience for all that info seem sure of what they want. 

News that claims it’s trying for accuracy and objectivity? Especially if it’s often twisted to “own” or make trouble for my “enemies?” Pointed satire claiming to be bi-partisan? Or just populists speaking from “the gut?”

I’ve been observing our slide into absurdity for decades. And have come to the conclusion that the first thing that must be done — if we do want a democracy and a competent representative government — is the last thing anybody really wants to do: Stop looking for others to blame (which is pretty much all our discussions are about any more) and start asking ourselves how we got here and what we can do to get back to talking, at least a majority of the time, usefully and respectfully, with each other. And start insisting our representatives do too?

My thoughts on that will be part of my first post. I hope you’ll read it and find it interesting enough to comment or post yourself. I don’t care where you come from politically. I grew up in a union family and that has greatly influenced my ideas. But like most Americans I’ve talked to over the last 30-40 years, at least, I have not found any party I can vote for as anything than the lesser evil. In terms of their economic interests, both the major parties have betrayed the middle class and still think they have some (but lesser all the time it seems) self-interested reasons to make promises (that they can’t or don’t keep) to them. Neither has represented me or the vast majority of American’s — across the political gamut —in decades and now one party appears to be ready to stop pretending they even intend to do so.

So it seems to me, partisanship — loyalty to any particular party — shouldn’t be any reason for division at this point. Let’s just see ourselves and each other as Americans. And still small “d” democrats, I hope. And talk about what we need to get done. Rather than wasting our time in angry arguments about who is at fault. But I’m not saying let’s not argue. Arguing is how we learn. So why not do it with civility?

I plan to post once a week, and have your comments and posts available to publish the rest of the time. I hope you’ll join me.