`In working towards the solution of a problem, it helps if you already know the answer.'
What are we aiming for? What is our goal? What is the desired end state? When we finally arrive at the so-called `end of history' what do we want it to look like?
George Bush Sr. was famously devoid of `the vision thing.' Unfortunately, his son is full of it. Reading W's vision, through his actions and not his words, is a long, strange and bad trip into a bleak world in which endless war rages, the rich get richer and the poor get fornicated. In W's vision, the Earth is like a beautiful peasant girl presented to a feudal lord; to be raped, not revered. Treaties, precedents and consensuses, decades old, which won the cold war, protected our soldiers, our allies and which maintained the strategic balance, are garbage. So are truth and humility and democracy and honor and decency.
More below the fold...
In Bush's vision, the constitution is toilet paper, the media distribute his excreta and the public gets fertilized.
Our president is a bold and wily leader indeed, for he has succeeded in leading us in a direction most would abhor, if only they understood.
Despite America's self-censoring corporate press, despite the Orwellian nature of the times, despite the `war-time' presidency, despite incumbency, despite a lack-luster Democratic candidate, nearly 60 million voters were able to express their opposition to Bush's vision.
If we have no vision of the promised land to compete with the glorious nightmare consuming the other side, it will not be possible to turn the country around, even when (if) we do ever win...
In the promised land the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few*.
In the promised land health care and education are rights, voting and the Vote are sacrosanct, the "war on drugs" has been won by declaring defeat, the market has been rigged to work in favor of the environment. Women, gays, intellectuals, blacks, Jews, latinos, secular humanists and bible belt rednecks are not only equal before the law but are also all equally respected.
In our promised land women have the inviolable right to end an unwanted pregnancy but abortion is rare. The population is armed but tight controls keep the heavy guns out of the hands of gangsters. Nurses, teachers, firemen, soldiers, police and civil servants are well paid, reflecting the importance of the service they provide.
In the promised land all life is precious. The living, the unborn and the not-yet-conceived are prized.
In the promised land wars are only fought in the very starkest of circumstances. When they have to be fought, it is so important that the entire nation takes part.
In the promised land criminals are not executed, though some may be sent to the Venus Penal Colony (the closest approximation of hell this side of the bible.)
In the promised land America is the respected leader of the free world, willing to show teeth when necessary, willing even to bite when required, but mostly leading by example.
In the promised land the rule of law is paramount, ubiquitous and above all, fair.
Above all, the promised land is fair.
That should be a start.
* Spock. Anyone remember which episode?