[nmap]

Sir, it may be that I am out of my lane in posting this, since you referred to your brothers. If I have erred in posting, please accept my apologies. It is not my wish to intrude.

I believe I sense many of the same problems you refer to. Others have made cogent points about past problems, and it is true that we have united and overcome a great many challenges in years past. It is certainly possible that our best traits will again come to the forefront. I hope that is the case.

That said, I observe a variety of risks within our society. With excellent leadership and some good luck, we can overcome any of them; for that matter, we can overcome all of them. However, if we choose badly, the problems could – in my opinion – be destructive. I have listed, in no particular order, several I perceive.

1. The dissipation of a common culture. First, let me be clear – culture means precisely that, and is not a code word for anything else. Culture includes language, religion, values, and aspirations among other matters. At one time, the U.S. population seemed to have a dominant culture. Other cultures were brought into the primary culture, not always gently. When fundamental beliefs of what is right and wrong diverge, when goals and hopes are deeply different, there are many opportunities for conflict. For example, one value is freedom of speech, particularly political speech. However, considerations of political correctness are, in some areas, regarded as more important than freedom of speech. In addition, beliefs about democracy are not universal. One must ask whether a subpopulation that does not support democracy can integrate into our society effectively. I note that the former Yugoslavia broke apart, and my understanding is that cultural conflict contributed to the breakup.

A useful experiment consists of asking others what they believe the American dream is. Generally, the dream consists of getting a well-paying job or a big house. Does a shared marketplace suffice to bind a nation together? I wonder.

2. Fragmentation. In the case of fragmentation, people in various segments of society don’t communicate very much. Therefore, the ability to exchange views and concerns, is reduced.

3. Television and air conditioning. Seriously. By the way, I’m fond of both. That said, notice that each contributes to a withdrawal from interaction with the people in the neighborhood. Prior to TV and AC, people went to the front porch and (unavoidably) interacted with the neighbors. Most people could not provide the first and last name, the profession, and a few minor facts about their eight closest neighbors. Will such people draw together? Will they help each other, or will each focus on themselves alone? The withdrawal from public interaction may represent a problem. It is worth noting that many of the great public service clubs of past decades are slowly dying – and their membership is old and aging.

4. Dependency. Many have developed a tendency to call on government to address any and all problems. I cannot help wondering if we, as a nation, might sell our birthright for a mess of pottage. When I look at the burgeoning trade and budget deficits, with China as a large creditor, I cannot help but wonder. Still worse – can a people who embrace dependency be expected to sacrifice or fight for their freedom and independence? Or will they lick the hand of whoever fills their food dish?

5. Involvement. There is a tendency for leaders to tell the public to refer problems to the professionals. In essence, the public should go shopping. I suspect those who perceive that they are actively making a contribution to something greater than themselves value that something far more than do those who merely shop. Do untrained, undisciplined people make annoying messes? Of course. But the benefits of involvement may outweigh the inconvenience.

The issue of the various protests against the Vietnam war has been mentioned; but I wonder – was that really an example of divisiveness, or could it be an example of large numbers of people who agreed about a particular course of action and worked together? Could it be that those who can unite, even in disagreement with national policy, are more likely to come together than are those who withdraw into their various individual pursuits? I don’t claim to know.

Whether the above are valid or not I leave to others. Perhaps they will provide grist for the discussion.