America has reached a crisis of zero sum policy. Progressives have long assumed that everyone's understanding of the good life was much the same. Certainly homo economicus has always had his problems as a model for human behavior but now I introduce
Homo staticus - chooses social status over other material or spiritual rewards.
2010 is the year of homo staticus. Bipartisanship won't work because you cannot please homo staticus and homo economicus alike. Status junkies prefer the widest gap between haves and have nots - even if they are not having. Status junkies need war - even if it kills them. Status junkies need their alpha males to have complete and unfettered power - even if it ruins the traditional economy and requires declaring corporations as people.
Basically homo staticus takes pleasure only when given the approval of others, particularly others in authority. His enjoyment of food, entertainment and sex is predicated on social acceptance of his choices. His education is of value to him only as it gives him bragging rights. He revels in all forms of competition because ranking is the easiest way to turn an activity into status.
A status addict's utopia is radically different from that of progressives. Homo staticus sees himself as part of a great chain of status seekers leading all the way up to CEOs and heads of state. Where you are in that chain is not particularly important so long as there are people below you and you are moving upward faster than any of your subordinates or peers. And whether you live in a feudal society or a modern city is also of much less importance than for a progressive, since the ability to accumulate status is more important than other comforts.
Of course on one level it is important to confront the events of 2010 in terms of their corruption and stupidity. But on a different level we should be aware that we are watching a civil rights movement of sorts. The pursuit of happiness by those whose happiness is dependent on a competitive, authoritarian economy. In short their happiness is predicated on my and many others unhappiness.
Seen in this light health care reform, for instance, is much more of a zero sum solution than Democrats had assumed. Providing health care for all means removing health care from the precious list of status symbols available to a status addict. And a key one at that since a longer and healthier life has long been the hallmark of social success. For homo staticus, even poor homo staticus, equality is a dystopia.
It's as if you popped up in the middle of an exciting Super Bowl and declared, "Don't worry I've zeroed the score!" At first you would rationalize that all of the big money involved in the game was upset with you and you would be right. After a while though you would catch on that the crowd is not pleased either. Oh you would think that's because they already payed for this game - true but not the whole truth. "Well surely the losing team is happy with me!" - no not really.