The synopsis is a simple premise. Our politics is polluted by a lack of appropriate language. The shorthand we use to denote political thought and action is outdated, reflecting the struggles of generations long passed.
The old “left” and “right” are increasingly useless and diversionary, and they must be overcome. This change is not so much a “Third Wave” once-in-history kind of shift, but is a part of the ongoing saga of American history that is simply overdue by now.
“Politics” is a dirty word.
A common phrase in our world is that we “need to keep politics out” of a given situation. It seems to come from a noble intent, which is the desire to make rational decisions that are best for everyone. But what is it that we are trying to keep out?
It happens every once in a while in our nation. An event that can only be described as “senseless” by the media, by politicians, by everyone. The assumption is that such an event stands apart because the rest of the world somehow does make sense. That is the mistake at the heart of it all.
Life these days is a constant “the Emperor has no clothes” situation.
The people who are supposedly in charge do not genuinely know much more than you do about the world and how it is spinning. They can guess at probabilities of success, but an honest assessment never precisely assures victory; that information has to be kept from the public when the cheerleading begins. If this is matched by a vainglorious bid to leverage the power a public position entails into something grander, we quickly reach the point where amateurs can do as well or better.
My dog August has a tendency to bark at strangers across the street in the park. He does this especially in the middle of the night, when people are not supposed to be there.
With a little reassurance he will stop. He knows that we are his pack, and if the rest of the pack is not worried, than the night watchman can go back to sleep. That is good enough.
Barataria - The work of Erik Hare 