I think the only way to pull this country back from the brink would be a massive commitment to national service: one that started out voluntary but was so widely supported that it became standard rather than unusual for young people to participate, and also became a reasonable option for older people.
This would involve massive federal funding; there's no other way. Right now, Republicans are trying to destroy even the modest Americorps program, just as they have for decades: they oppose the very idea of government-enabled national service. But I also see very little support for it on the left.
National service is the only way I can see for us to start meeting each other in the service of something larger than ourselves, and reversing the relentless sorting that is disconnecting us with anyone who isn't just like us. The problem I see is that nobody really cares anymore. Most people really don't want to cross those boundaries in their personal lives: they don't see it as "worth it," and when it comes right down to it, they don't see America as worth sacrificing to save.
I think the only way to pull this country back from the brink would be a massive commitment to national service: one that started out voluntary but was so widely supported that it became standard rather than unusual for young people to participate, and also became a reasonable option for older people.
This would involve massive federal funding; there's no other way. Right now, Republicans are trying to destroy even the modest Americorps program, just as they have for decades: they oppose the very idea of government-enabled national service. But I also see very little support for it on the left.
National service is the only way I can see for us to start meeting each other in the service of something larger than ourselves, and reversing the relentless sorting that is disconnecting us with anyone who isn't just like us. The problem I see is that nobody really cares anymore. Most people really don't want to cross those boundaries in their personal lives: they don't see it as "worth it," and when it comes right down to it, they don't see America as worth sacrificing to save.