A Plea for Communication and America

America is shooting itself in the foot. Repeatedly. More and more people are acknowledging this reality, yet no one seems to be able or willing to stop it. In fact, the trajectory our nation seems to be on is to actually increase the self-inflicting wounding. This is insane, disheartening and frustrating all rolled into one. Why do I feel this way? Why, when I survey our land, its people and leaders, do I see a great nation on a downward spiral that only seems to be escalating in momentum? The answer lies in communication. Bottom line: we are doing far less of it than ever before and what we are doing is not nearly as good as it used to be.

Two entities deserving the bulk of the blame are the media and politicians. Let me start with the media. We are now in an era of what I call niche journalism in which an increasing number of outlets, print and electronic, gear the way they report news and cover the world to match the perceived political perspectives of targeted audiences. This is not to say straight news presented in an unbiased manner does not still happen. But the volume of it is definitely not what it used to be. Such a reality contributes to the growing division among our people in which makes it more difficult for folks to see their many commonalities they share. Instead, they see little else but division. Another major entity that is contributing mightily to our nation's decline are politicians. The rise of efforts in a number of states to squelch a union member's right to collective bargaining is a current example. The drive to do this as led by right-wing politicians is a disgrace and has nothing to do with addressing budget shortfalls as many claim. It is a naked power play designed to make more difficult a person's ability to be heard. On a national level, members of congress are so entrenched and blinded by their ideologies that the notion of collaborating with those belonging to a different political party has disappeared.

I am heartened by the actions of the brave souls who have been protesting against those in power who seek to squash them. Power often brings out the worst in people. That sure seems to be the case of the republican governors and state representatives, for instance, who are trying to ram through polices making life more difficult for those who already are struggling and making life more easy for those already in positions of influence and comfort. It is perverse logic that is contributing to the economic decline of our nation. Even more importantly, if left unchecked and unaddressed, it will do permanent damage to the soul of men and women who are America's foundation. The heavier the weights dropped on people the more difficult it is for them to be heard, to make valuable contributions and, ultimately, to survive. All of us need to fight these ugly trends. I honestly believe the fate of our nation, including the many freedoms it supposedly represents, rides in the balance. We ordinary citizens need to do all we can to communicate our displeasure and anger at these powerful trends. I close with a great quote from Stephane Hessel: "the create is to resist; to resist is to create."