The American Experiment and Plurality

The quality of the government of self-governing people can only be as good as the people themselves.  Our modern problem is the WE are mediocre, and this causes us to be easily manipulated in large enough numbers to matter.  Not only does stupidity swing elections, but it prevents the important issues from even entering the public domain in a sober, serious way to begin with.

The point I wanted to make, though, is that America has succeeded in large measure because her people are mostly honest, which in turn is a result of generalized religiosity.  It might be a funny way to put it, but particularly in the early days Americans put their religion front row and center, much like the Tibetans did until recently, and still do in their diaspora, apparently.  We were founded FOR the free practice of religion.  That was the point, that was the dominant life concern of a great many of our early settlers. 

And that early piety put us in a much better place than, say, Mexico, which could be wealthy, but which is inhabited by Mexicans.  Yes, I said that.  Anyone who wants to compare and contrast their history with our own, please post a comment.  Happy to do it.

Thus, the entire success of our experiment has rested, historically, on something which is fading.  Certainly, religiosity fares much better here than overseas, but it is under determined assault by nihilists.

I have said in the past that our Constitution is the most perfect political document ever created, and nearly perfect, except that it failed to put checks on the Supreme Court.

But the civil basis of OPERATING the Constitution, of operating the wheels of government, is highly flawed in its premise.  Here is my thought: Christianity is not universalizable.  It is a parochial doctrine, which we cannot count on all people adhering to.  Given this, the moral basis of our nation is on, and has always been on, shaky ground.

What we need is a “scientific” morality, by which I mean one which people will adopt willingly in large numbers, because it works for their parochial aims of personal and communal happiness.  Socialism claims to be that doctrine, but obviously it is not, for many many reasons which I have repeatedly examined at length.

Something like my conception of Goodness would serve this purpose, though.  What we need is a revival which can include not only Christians, but ALL Americans, which works to cultivate sincere tolerance, sincere civic engagement, and meaningful Goodness.

Rambling again.  Just did a hard workout so I’m a bit punchy, but wanted to put this out there.