The hopes and aspirations of the Founders, and the risk inherent to their experiment in governance, have been largely vindicated over the centuries since. But sometimes, especially when we’re particularly frightened of the loud noises and the bright flashes that go bump in the middle of the night, too many of us still revert back to kindergartner mode.
It must be relaxing not to have to think very hard about difficult and complex issues, but to rely upon bumper sticker politics instead.
It must be comforting to know that the world can be reliably divided into good and evil, and that your side is always good.
It must be reassuring to uncritically delegate decision-making and even value-setting to somebody who talks tough and strides through the world with an impermeable air of confidence.
Yes, relaxation, comfort, and reassurance are all wonderful things, but then so is naptime.
Unless Americans want to (continue to) live in a country ruled by a government of, for and by kindergartners, some of us need to reconsider how we practice our politics.
Giving up graham crackers and milk won’t be easy, of course. But then neither is endless war, devastated cities, a destroyed environment or fiscal hemorrhaging.
And, anyway, it’s the price we all have to pay for graduating to first grade.
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