Are we moving towards utopia, or oblivion? What does the national mood ring say? It might suggest how effective the Democrats “6 for 06” plan will be in the coming election.
Via Teagan Goddard’s Political Wire there’s this:
Washington Wire highlights evidence of a growing long-term deep funk among Americans in the latest Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll: “Among the six-in-10 Americans who say country is ‘on the wrong track,’ most see ‘long-term decline.’ More than two-thirds of those over 50 aren’t confident life will improve for ‘our children’s generation’; 62% of those under 35 agree. Americans are especially gloomy about the environment, health care, public morals and housing costs; nearly eight in 10 expect college to become less affordable. By 47%-24%, Americans fear the quality of jobs in the U.S. will get worse.”
It seems good for Democrats’ chances, but is it? Let me briefly suggest my doubts after the jump.
The poll itself could be influenced by conspicuous warfare, and by the general aging of the population. Or it could be simple observation of the growing divide between superrich and everyone else, and all that means to most people, as the Bush administration has made clear which side its on. But if it’s accurate as far as the American electorate is concerned, we’re on the Oblivion Express.
That tells us a lot about where our energy and attention goes. It seems to me it’s going to take some direct confrontation with this mood to change it.
The Democrats this week came forward with their six issues for 06 under the banner of A New Direction for America, or something equally forgettable. While the issues are worthy, the whole thing seems to lack imagination and certainly daring. But that’s explicable from the first of the six items: national security.
The Democrats are in a defensive posture, still worried they lost in 04 because Bush convinced the country he could keep them safer, despite mountains of evidence to the contrary. And every time the Democrats get out of the administration line on war issues, some Republican is warning that they’re throwing the election away, if not being flat out unpatriotic.
Security is of course a primary function of the federal government. But stopping there freezes us into a defensive and inherently risk averse posture. Unfortunately,the poll shows people see what’s going on: things are falling apart. We don’t need terrorists from elsewhere to destroy what Americans have had, we’re letting it happen slowly but surely.
My instincts about the next election are contrary to the posture and direction the Dems are officially taking. I see a lot of “re” words working, like rejection, renewal and responsibility. But most of all I see the need for a vision of the future that offers some hope, some real direction–not an empty slogan and a laundry list.
America, the world, is ready (or soon will be) to move away from oblivion, but the only way to do that is to move towards utopia. Utopia doesn’t mean a perfect society, but it does mean a better one–one that is more attuned to current and future needs, and making use of new knowledge and approach.
It’s a risk to say so. It’s a risk to offer a vision. But the right mix of reassurance and vision for the future could be the inspiration we need. When you feel you’re on the Oblivion Express, you’re not very motivated to do anything. You may try to conserve what you’ve got, and keep the ride as smooth as possible. You’ll listen to people who tell you to stick with what they know, including the leadership they know.
To get people to accept change, you must help them want change,and if you ask them to risk it, you need to give them a reason. They need a different destination, and in the public heart there are only two: oblivion or utopia.
We need a vision, and the leadership to get us started on that road to the future. The choice is utopia or oblivion. At least for the past half century, it always has been.