The death of American optimism

[Soph0571]

Pity or fear, like despair or hopelessness, are not helpful responses to America’s predicament. Democratic victories in the midterms, and the newly youthful, diverse and female Congress, are raising hopes for a way out of Trump-era turmoil. But the end of American optimism could be a good thing. Faith in the American dream has persisted for too long, even as social mobility has stalled, jobs have disappeared and the population has sickened. If you believe that American society is fair, that this is a land of equal opportunity and abundance, then the logical conclusion is that the poor are at fault. A less optimistic America could be a more compassionate country, one more willing to expand the social safety net, treat addiction as an illness and expand health care provision for the poor. It could be a more prosperous country, one willing to set aside toxic partisanship and address the structural problems that are holding too many Americans back. It could even be a happier country, one in which poverty or worklessness is not seen as a moral failing. One can only hope, after all.

[link:https://www.newstatesman.com/2019/02/death-american-optimism|

It is a long read, but worth it - the analysis is very interesting even if you do not necessarily buy into all of it.

[secondwind]

1. Wonderful. Thanks for posting this!

[Hermit-The-Prog]

2. "set aside toxic partisanship"

It is a lofty goal, but you cannot "set aside toxic partisanship" while the Republican party remains radicalized and hell-bent on the destruction of all things democratic and liberal. The current, radical, extremist Republican party is attempting to destroy democracy to ensure it remains in power regardless of the preferences of the electorate.

I will not reach across the aisle under such circumstances except to deliver yet another blow to the fascist party attempting to turn government of the people to government of the industrialists.