In Reckoning, America Recovers Its Moral Compass

Given the cacophony of destruction all around — of democratic norms, of ignoble policy, of polarization grown ever more vicious, all driven by our Disrupter-in-Chief, Donald Trump — Americans could be forgiven for fearing that all is lost for the ship of state and we are going down, fast.

Compounding this fear is the knowledge that our destruction is self-inflicted, not forced by external actors or factors. Unforced, Trump surrendered our mantle of Leader of the Free World, trashed our reputation as trusted ally. Domestically, he stokes racism and xenophobia, lies incessantly while attacking the media for reporting his lies. And Republicans, once God-fearing, continue to salute this amoral leader.

Moreover, American society itself is in churn, convulsing in resistance and protest. No wonder Americans report record levels of anxiety, depression, loss of sleep. Polls show rising numbers feel America is on the wrong track — way off. And commentators tell us we can expect this churn for years to come. It is, one can hear it all around, mourning in America.

But: There are mighty counter-forces now in play, combatting the heart-breaking destruction. And what should compound our hopefulness is this: the knowledge that these counter-forces are self-driven, not forced by external actors or factors; they emanate from our institutions and American society, beset as both are. Granted, given the tilt of the ship of state, one must squint to see these counter-forces at work, but once one…