Every generation of Americans has to discover for themselves whether or not they want to live peacefully with bothersome neighbors that call their cherished convictions (and often their good will and sanity to boot) into question. The American social order is a continual, risky experiment to see if diverse people can thrive together even though they disagree about the basis for that order, their moral values and the very purpose for life.
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Trusted rivals?... Lifelong friends?... Both? |
The land of the free was not based on the notion that humans can achieve a unity of conviction. It was founded on the continuity of factionalism. It is a giant ideological dojo where the contestants of conscience trust each other to fight fairly without threat of violence. When enough of us begin to think that the ongoing contest is rigged in favor of one group, then the fundamental trust that allows rivals to be honorable is dangerously threatened—and with that the great American experiment hangs in the balance.