APRÉS-ABERRATION
Basking on the newly-swept bedrock of the United States of America’s principles and system of government.
It’s worth remembering that George W. Bush’s presidency hardly qualified as “normal.” Torturing prisoners? Not normal. Creating a prison system specifically designed to evade US responsibilities under the Geneva Conventions, let alone its own laws? Not normal. Invading another country on the slimmest shreds of evidence? Not normal. Arguing unsound theories of the vice president’s role in government? Not normal. Irresponsibly spending the government’s money while enacting ill-conceived tax cuts? Not normal. A supine Congress? Not normal. Not asking Americans to sacrifice during a time of crisis? Not normal.
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With President Barack Obama now in office, I do not see a need for revolution. Rather, I see a need to return to American tradiations of order in government, separated powers, and an executive that works with the legislature, rather than attempting to ignore or steamroller it when members of Congress grow inconvenient. I look forward to a foreign policy rooted in a cold assessment of US interests and a greater respect for other nations’ sovereignty. I look forward to a war policy rooted in continuing to prosecute this war on terror, but doing so in a way that is consistent with American values and a respect for individuals’ dignity and rights.
In other words, I want a return to normalcy. Source
As a country, as a people, we find ourselves very far beyond the trite and sappy “It’s morning in America” of not all that long ago, in the realm of “It’s America in America.”
America 2.0? Not by a long shot. While the landmarks may be familiar, the path ahead is virgin; may our journey leave it unsullied.
