The E.J. Dionne Book (2)

"This is a brilliant book about America's current political divide.  But, more important, it's an insightful exploration of our national history and our ability to balance individualism with community.  That sense of balance has been lost, and this book shows how we can restore a shared appreciation for our historic values."  from Walter Isaacson

"E.J. Dionne sagely reminds us that our country's main political tradition has always been ordered toward flourishing communities as well as free individuals.  Conservatives will find much to disagree with in Dionne's interpretation of that tradition, but they will also be educated and stimulated."  from Ramesh Ponnuru

I will be expanding on this post.  Just wanted to get it started today.

Who are we as a nation?  Dionne says we are confused because we can't agree on who we've been.  According to Dionne, the American tradition points to radical self-interest and self-reliance, but a balance between our love of individual freedom and our love of community.  The basic problem now is that hyper- individualism is ruining the country.  That hyper-individualism comes from the now extreme Republican Party.

Dionne outlines American history showing that except for the decades following the Civil War the Federal government has been an active and constructive partner with the rest of society in promoting prosperity, opportunity, and American greatness.

The radical conservatives would have you believe that until the New Deal we had a strictly laissez-faire economic system with the Federal government's hands off.  Not true!  Conservatives can say what they wish, but it galls me as a student of American history when they say blatantly false things.  Laissez-faire was only after the Civil War.

Hyper-individualism is poisoning our country.  The Tea Party engages the past, and we agree on understanding the past , but the Tea Part  badly distorts the past for their political gain.  We must take on their historical distortions and reintroduce to the country to our civic history, our commitment to the common good, for the Tea Party/Republicans/Conservatives do not believe in the common good and our civic responsibilities to each other.