If we’re inclined to reflect on how much America has changed over the years, I submit that one of the most significant, yet subtle aspects of how we’ve changed has been in our dedication to the long-term. The “greatest generation” probably wouldn’t have thought of themselves as “longsighted”, or used the term much, but their priorities and the way they conducted their lives clearly reflected a dedication to future generations. Perhaps it was immigrant dreams of making a better life for their children and grandchildren, coupled with mature leaders, that put our nation on a growth trajectory few could have imagined. Tragically today, our culture and the leadership we’ve chosen have dimmed those dreams, left us divided, directionless, and seeking quick fixes that neither remedy the pain and uncertainty we feel or the loss of potential we see unfolding before our eyes.
Slugging their way through the Great Depression and WWII, the greatest generation chose leaders like FDR, Truman, Eisenhower and Kennedy who respected the needs of people, saw their potential, and gave them purpose. Amid terribly difficult circumstances, they united the people to build highways, bridges and dams, electrify the nation, defeat fascism, built international democratic coalitions, schools and hospitals, and sent kids to college. Yes, it was very difficult for many, and imperfect, but they built dignity and confidence and laid a foundation for future generations.
As a conservative for nearly 50 years, it grieves me to contrast such leadership with the short-sightedness of “leaders” today, particularly among republicans. They’re good at delivering platitudes and pitching financial gains, but woefully short in protecting the long-term best interests of our country.
Ironically, republicans who often laud their ability to contain debt, build a strong economy, and strong defense, all important elements of what we will hand off to future generations, have demonstrated far more short-sightedness than their democratic peers.
With respect to financial stewardship both Presidents George W Bush and Trump dramatically ran up our national debt through large tax cuts, primarily for the wealthy. If they wanted to spur the economy and provide a foundation for lasting growth, they could have invested in infrastructure and in people, but they didn’t. On top of that, both of them ran the economy into deep recessions. Their focus on serving the wealthy and the rest of their political base, coupled with little vision other than self-aggrandizement, left most of our nation untethered, anxious, and further behind than when they started.
Democratic administrations on the other hand, often accused of reckless give aways to the poor, invested in public education, healthcare, and infrastructure, while restoring economic growth, and reducing budget deficits. Sadly, a segment of our country, impatient for dividends from these longsighted investments, were lured back into get rich quick promises of President Trump.
With respect to national security, an essential element of a secure future for our children and grandchildren, the facts are that both Presidents George W Bush and Trump left us far less secure than when they started. Both of them pressed us into pre-emptive wars that emboldened our adversaries and put distance between us and our allies. In contrast, after President Trump repeatedly berated and threatened our allies, the Biden Administration restored respect and trust between the US and our NATO allies, as well as other essential allies around the world.
Lastly, with respect to the environment, one of the most important things we hand-off to future generations, Democratic presidents took concrete steps to take the top off the slow building, climate crisis barreling towards us. They provided incentives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, build renewable power plants, and improve the efficiency of the power grid. Tragically, President Trump went out of his way to roll back auto and coal fired power plant emission standards, and rescind financial support for renewable power and transmission projects already underway.
Given these facts, I submit, that one of the biggest things that differentiates Democrats and Republicans is not that one is “liberal” while the other is “conservative”, but that Democrats practice longsightedness, while Republicans choose short-term enrichment.
If the legacy we’ll be leaving our children is important to us, let us, like the “greatest generation”, choose longsighted leaders, who have the maturity to see the potential in people and our nation, and the courage to make the hard choices necessary to bring all that potential to fruition. Amid a whirlwind of platitudes, promises and deception, let us not fall prey to those who pretend to be conservative, but choose to support those who build up people and practice longsightedness.