Editor's Commentary and Analysis
The American experiment in democratic governance deserves a mixed review. A majority of Americans benefit from the security, wealth, and technological capability offered to those who through education, social connectivity, or birthright have the opportunity to participate, produce, and consume valued goods and services. For a sizeable minority, however, these opportunities may not exist; or are missed due to their lack of preparation; or social barriers are perceived to be too difficult for them to overcome. In terms of serving the interests of ALL Americans more fully, the nation is failing to live up to its Constitutional guarantee of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all. There is little doubt that American society, in all its aspects and domains of activity should be able to produce and distribute its bounty more equitably and in greater alignment with its founding principles.
While the increasing pace of life, complexity of issues, and unpredictability of events threaten to consume many in whirlpools of societal turbulence, the systems that have been designed for support often fail to respond. Chaos and rigidity co-exist to the detriment of social alignment and cohesion. Using Federal government as an example, pluralistic gridlock that even James Madison might find difficult to accept has slowed policy and budget deliberations to a crawl. Americans seem to be losing their ability to recognize and act on issues of mutual concern. Unless a crisis is imminent, little action is taken, and even then that which is done may be ill-advised. The question of whether society can proactively manage its future for positive results, or simply act as an inept caretaker of a diminishing heritage may be worth considering. One may ask: "Where is the competent reasoning, learning, and action necessary to define a desirable national vision and forge the capabilities and resources required for progress." It appears that we, as people, are not engaging in the most important conversations that are required to make real progress.