I like a routine. I can't help it. I find myself reading the same news sites and the same columns week in and week out. The routine is so engrained in my mind that I find myself frequenting sites and authors that I don't particularly care for. But occasionally, and only occasionally, these habitual forays of mine pay off. Take Roger Simon for instance. Mr. Simon is a contributer at an online magazine named
Politico. Typically, I find his posts maddening and meandering, but I found his most
recent article rather interesting.
In his latest article, Mr. Simon cites a recent poll which suggests that America is growing more uncivil. Incivility in the workplace, in the media, in government, and basically any place else you want to look, is on the rise. Some blame the internet, others blame the constant barrage of negative media, but regardless of the source, this rise in rudeness is a growing trend in almost every facet of life. The article itself is not shocking, and neither are the results that is discusses (probably because as an active participant in American society, I find it rather easy to believe that people are becoming more uncivil). The thing that I find compelling about this story is how this perspective on life in America is so radically different than the hopes of the men who actually founded our nation.
James Fenimore Cooper is famous for the penning the Leatherstocking Saga, a series of five books chronicling the life of the first great American hero, Natty Bumppo. Cooper also wrote on politics and theory and in his article entitled, "The American Democrat" he makes an argument that stands in stark contrast to the views set forward in Roger Simon's article. Mr. Cooper argues that, "The principle advantage of a democracy, is a general elevation in the character of the people." Cooper backs this argument up by suggesting that since a democracy allows a man to pursue his own interests, he will make wise and informed decisions and this freedom, this liberty of pursuit, will instill a greater sense of character and right in the citizens of that democracy. So why the apparent failure? Why has our democracy, which at its inception was considered a bastion of morality and justice, become a country where people, "tune out, making us less likely to vote or serve in government or engage with others."
The problem lies with Mr. Cooper's ideas on what propels a man toward good character. It isn't the prospect of success or the hope of equality. This hope cannot engender morality in an individual and the prospect of success only nurtures greed and selfishness.
"Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith."- Alexis de Tocqueville
