By Wade Lee Hudson
On the Newshour, commenting on Joe Biden’s State of the Union speech, David Brooks, the Republican, said, “Most people are not looking for moral leadership from politicians anymore. They’re looking like, who’s going to make my life a little better? And so I loved the emphasis on policy last night.” Jonathan Capeheart, the Democrat, replied, “I absolutely agree. I think David is absolutely right. That speech was crammed with all sorts of things that he’s done and things that he wants to do.”
They hit the nail on the head. America’s mantra is “What’s in it for me (WIIFM)?” and America is not alone. This moral deficiency is global. Biden’s speech lacked moral outrage.
Outrage at those House Republicans who have blood on their hands because they have not signed a “discharge petition” to get a vote on more aid to Ukraine. Outrage at widespread homelessness and the lack of capacity for alcohol and drug rehab programs. Outrage at Israel for the carnage in Gaza that is genocide or tantamount to it.
Article II of the Genocide Convention defines genocide as “acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.” South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice argued that Israel is committing four of the five acts described in Article II, including deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about a group’s physical destruction in whole or in part. Top Israeli officials have made multiple statements that communicate the intent to annihilate Gaza and its inhabitants.
Many nations in the global South have refused to oppose Russia’s invasion of Ukraine due to the West’s hypocritical failure to support the Palestinians more forcefully.
One glaring moment of moral blindness in Biden’s speech was his claim, “This crisis began on Oct. 7.” Actually, the crisis began in 1948 when the West established Israel as an independent nation without the consent of the inhabitants — or enabling them to establish their own nation.
Biden said
To the leadership of Israel I say this: Humanitarian assistance cannot be a secondary consideration or a bargaining chip. Protecting and saving innocent lives has to be a priority. As we look to the future, the only real solution to the situation is a two-state solution over time…. Israel most allow more aid into Gaza to ensure humanitarian workers aren’t caught in the crossfire.
Crossfire?? Give me a break!
On Saturday, Biden said Israel’s threatened invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza would be his “red line” but then immediately backtracked, saying there was “no red line [where] I’m going to cut off all weapons,” which is his main leverage.
Biden should go to Jerusalem and address its parliament (as Netanyahu spoke to our Congress) and tell Israelis their actions are a cruel, counterproductive dead-end that violates their ideals. He needs to tell Israel to wake up. Aside from political tactics, we need a profile in courage.
With his speech, Biden fired up his base and demonstrated his vigor, but he abandoned the moral high ground and failed to address Americans’ anxieties and concerns about the country’s direction. As Brooks said, “The American people are in a bad mood…. A lot of suburbanites sense that something’s wrong with the country, maybe spiritually, morally, relationally.”
Most Americans believe the country is headed in the wrong direction and live paycheck to paycheck. They don’t feel it when the Democrats praise abstract numbers like the “GDP” and the stock market. Many prices are still much higher than before the pandemic, so most people aren’t impressed when Democrats say inflation has slowed. Telling people the state of the union is strong and getting stronger when they know better is not persuasive.
The narrow focus on building the middle class so “the poor have a way up” is offensive. How hard is that way up? How many will make it? What about an immediate guaranteed living wage job opportunity? Is being “middle class” the be-all and end-all? Is climbing a ladder the best solution?
The Democrats still believe “it’s the economy, stupid,” although many Americans vote against their economic self-interest and vote based on cultural issues because they care about what’s moral (though their values may be skewed). Ignoring this issue is ethically wrong and ineffective politically in the long run, though it may help win the next election.
During the 2020 Presidential campaign, Biden fought for the “soul of the nation.” He affirmed building “a nation of unity, hope, and optimism” rather than “a nation of anger, violence, hatred and division.” After being sworn in, he told his staff that everyone is
entitled to be treated with decency and dignity. That’s been missing in a big way the last four years. I expect you to do that for all the folks you deal with. I’m not joking when I say this: If you’re ever working with me and I hear you treat another colleague with disrespect, talk down to someone, I promise you I will fire you on the spot. On the spot. No ifs or buts.
His 2024 campaign does not echo this approach.
In doing so, Biden plays fast and loose with the facts, as reported by the Washington Post and USA Today. This inaccurate rhetoric may work tactically, but it undermines his credibility as a moral leader. It leaves the impression he’s just another politician focused on winning the next election.
The Democrats’ main tactic is scapegoating Trump. Biden never once called out the “MAGA Republicans” or appealed to traditional Republicans and independents. However, the MAGA movement preceded Trump and will persist after Trump is gone. Trump is not the main problem.
Hyperpolarization is a natural product of the Top-Down System, which inflames the desire to dominate and the willingness to submit. This system indoctrinates individuals, shapes our culture, and structures our institutions. Each element reinforces and reflects the others. Greed and the lust for power breed more greed and lust.
Absent a strong countervailing force, the Top-Down System will fall into a downward spiral. Building an effective counterforce will require facing reality, but most people prefer distractions. They’re self-centered, not other-centered.
Maybe the grassroots will build a powerful compassionate movement, but to do so, activists must deal with their internalized oppression. We’re part of the problem. Overcoming or controlling our desire to dominate and our willingness to submit for personal gain must be a major element in our strategy if we’re to build compassionate communities.
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