Tuesday, June 26, 2012

2012: Testing the American Narrative (Part II)



As I said in Part I, this election -- more than most because of unusually clear contrasts -- will test the the American ethos, the narrative, the vision that tells us who we are.  For those of us who, contrary to a century of Marxist/progressive indoctrination, have managed somehow to maintain a reverence of founding principles, this is a make-or-break affair.  Many will say that ideas of the American Founders were but temporal signs of time and place and that we have evolved and matured in matters social, political and economic.  We have put away old ideologies.  And they may be correct in their assessment.

The way I see things today the three most likely outcomes from the November presidential elections are: 1. an Obama win with a very narrow margin; 2. a Romney win with a narrow margin, or; 3. a Romney win with a substantial margin.  In my view, probability favors #2, with #3 being the most desirable. 

There seems to be mounting evidence that public dissatisfaction with the current president and his administration (and party) is growing.  An altogether good thing.  My perception is that the Democrats are somewhere between badly rattled and panicky, indicating their confidence is severely shaken.  Actually, I'm fairly confident of a Republican victory, but if it falls short of near-landslide proportions, America remains on very shaky ground with an unpromising economic and political future. 

In the (I hope) unlikely event that there is a second Democratic administration, I think the nation is pretty much European Socialist toast.  Tea Party notwithstanding.  With a tepid Romney win, we'd certainly be better off, but without much reason for optimism.  In either event the outcomes would tell us that the Jeffersonian narrative is fey and unlikely to be revived.  We'd be on the cusp of becoming what the alien buffoon in the White-house already believes us to be -- an unexceptional nation.

If a large majority of American voters, on the other hand -- having suffered for four years the arrogant provocations of lies, corruption, unconstitutional behaviors, bullying and contempt for the peoples' sovereignty -- still understand the spirit of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and self-reliance, we will know our foundations are strong enough to support rebuilding.

Realistically, I think -- cumulatively -- the systematic corruption of American education and the accelerating rise of rent-seeking institutions and the culture of grievance, dependency and entitlement over the last hundred years may be too much to overcome.  It may be that for too long we have tolerated the intolerable and appeased the intolerant.  How robust is the American Project?  The American narrative?  Unique in all the world, whatever happens, it was a good ride.  How will it fall our?  We shall know soon enough. 


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