The National Interest and 2008

There is something called the national interest. It is not an ideology. It is not the possession of a single cabal of self-appointed imperialists. It is not achieved by substituting consensus for principle. It is not "bipartisanship" for its own sake or in pursuit of bad policy. And it is not a euphemism for oil.

Our national interest is the product of more than two centuries of national history which constitutes an amalgam of colossal mistakes, most notably Iraq, and grand sacrifices and noble actions. It required a terrible civil war to establish that slavery was not in our national interest. It required a cold war to establish that alliance and collaboration was in our national interest.

Oil dependence, climate change, nuclear proliferation, concentrated wealth, fear of terrorism, theocracy, empire, corruption in government, an arrogant and ignorant executive, and violation of civil liberties are not in our national interest.

Equal rights for all, respect for our constitutional guarantees, including most notable habeas corpus, economic opportunity, regulation of market excess, our natural heritage and environment, fairness, justice, and checks and balanced government are all in our national interest.

The age of Roosevelt was replaced by the age of Reagan which itself is coming to an end. The age of Reagan was relieved only briefly by a rare period of peace and prosperity in the 1990s. The brief Clinton era pursued "centrism" at the cost of blurring the fundamental principles of the 20th century Democratic party -- a sense of national community (Roosevelt), citizen duty (Kennedy), and equality and justice for all (Johnson). Return to the age of Reagan, under the current administration, destroyed the security alliances established by Truman.

There will, presumably, always be a conservative party. But it must be retaken by pro-environment, anti-interventionist, fiscally responsible traditional Republicans. For its part, the Democratic Party must redefine itself for an American generation that does not know what it stands for or what its principles are.

The national interest cannot be achieved by settling old scores, vengeance for past wrongs, and demonization of those with whom we disagree. History operates its own court of justice and vengeance is the enemy of progress.

Together, the two new/old parties must recapture a sense of the national interest, above partisan victory and advantage, willing to achieve consensus for the good of the country as men and women of good will and leadership define it, operating in good faith and mutual respect, and most of all bound by constitutional guarantees and constraints.

I choose to be a Democrat. But I am able to do so because I am first an American.

Comments

[Rule Of Law]

There is as much difference between vengeance and Justice, as there is between wrong, and right!

The Evil that rules this country does not need further "demonizing." It requires an application of the laws that have governed us successfully for 236 years, and those laws demand action, the men who created them demand action, and the people for whose protection they were created, demand action. And the only acts that will secure the future of this country and its freedom are at the very foundation of our Constitution...

Section. 4.

The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

For, as Thomas Jefferson said: "...that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness."

WE ARE the Court of History! WE ARE The People. And YOU, as our elected servant, should take special care to enforce the laws and the will of the People. Let History show that we did not shirk our duty as citizens and that you did not shirk your responsibilities to the Constitution you swore to uphold.

This blog is nothing more than an eloquently worded campaign speech appealing to emotion and devoid of reason. NOT Once do you promise to restore the Constitution! Why? You talk about equal rights and oil independence and corruption and security, and never a word about restoring the Rule Of Law. Never an utterance about Justice or Morality or Ethics. Or about bringing back into balance the delicate mechanism of the checks and balances of our Republic. Until you address these issues, with acts and not just more empty words, then you're still, as we used to say in the 60's, a part of the problem, and not the solution.

[WilliamEGraham]

I see the new year hasn't changed the democrat's penchant for Monday morning quarterbacking.......

[kizzie]

"The national interest cannot be achieved by settling old scores, vengeance for past wrongs, and demonization of those with whom we disagree. History operates its own court of justice and vengeance is the enemy of progress."

I am hoping what Mr. Hart means by vengeance is that Bush should not have taken us to war because "They tried to kill my Daddy!" And not to demonize Muslums or others in the Middle East for their beliefs and policy.
However, history should operate to show that we stand for upholding the constitution; and we should impeach this administration and bring to justice those that have torn it down. History should read that we righted the wrongs that were done to our country, rebuild the reputation of our country, and see to it that it never will be allowed to happen again.
Throw out lobbyists, limit terms, and put them into the social security pool---see what happens then! Flat tax, no exemptions or excuses, business as well as individulals pay equally in accordance with income! equal time for each candidate instead of being told who our choices are. Free America for all.

[janvoght]

finally a perspective that speaks to the real issues, the current status, and a centered approach with which would allow a workable plan! retaliation, justice, punishment...call it what you will, our country needs a NEW direction, and we are lagging. 9 trillion dollars owed internationally, an illegal war that will not secure the world against terrorism. any solution allowing us to stay stuck in this mind set that has been imposed upon us, will only reap more of the same! a large group of americans are not comfortable with a looming recession, our troops being slaughtered daily, our borders open, and our leadership in an undemocratic mode. this commentary is the direction in which we absolutely need to move! the same actions will produce the same results, which will result in complete failure.

[TommyMcCarthy]

In answer to "Wulfstan" (and as "B-Banzaii points out) as far as the architects and leadership of the Repugs goes...."MODERATE Republican" is a contridiction in terms........................................Perhaps the only GOOD to come of the Bush administration is that the common revulsion at their openly criminal behavior has exposed thier political philosophy for what it is...........morally bankrupt!

BELIEVE me ""Banzaii"........ gut level, I'm with you, it seems the only way to get our country back is to hold the f**kers down and pound a stake through their hearts, and some days I'd be happy to do the holdin' OR the poundin'........some say the next election will complete the marginalization and regionalization of the Republican party. My crystal ball is in the shop so it's hard to say...

It's just that I've wondered for years how so many otherwise intelligent, perfectly nice folks (some I've known personally) could possibly ally themselves with the Republicans.......

"Wulfstan" asks what might a new consensus bring us?.......Don't know ..something..........else??......maybe worse??

Let's all of us keep a sharp eye out and make sure this isn't just some cynical ploy to shoehorn Bloomberg in and "Nader-ize" the election.

Many thanks to both for the response..............tm

[realistic2008]

As always you are a superb thinker, whose philosophy I share entirely.

[Nezua]

i agree that these past crimes must be addressed, firstly bush and crew. our laws mean nothing if they are not applied when egregious and extreme violations of them occur. then, once the rot has been excised and justice restored, then MAYBE we can have a chance.

Lance/Boil in '08!

[jinjinpinti]

With all due respect Mr. Hart, as only one of the hundreds of millions of Americans who are victims of the heinous crimes committed against us, not to mention Iraqis, by this rogue and rotten government, I not only hope for JUSTICE, but I demand it. Let no stone be left unturned in ferreting out every single wrong done our country by these scoundrels masquerading as leaders. Then let justice move to show ourselves and the world what democracy means.

[hardrain77]

Mr. Hart,

You strike me as intelligent and very telling in your blogs; then I remember that you are mostly a voice for the establishment behind all the foundations and think tanks that have their name tied with you.

Honestly, do you honestly think that Bloomberg, in the age of Youtube, when popular sentiment will show Ron Paul is an amazing favor, actually be able to tilt this election?

Then, I remember that you were the guy that stood in front of the Council on Foreign Relations after 9/11 and proposed the New World Order.

[Poboy]

What Gary Hart and other "centrist" Democrats are trying to do, and what they have done so far, is grease the skids for the stinky Republicans, whose smell is so foul it overwhelms, in and around this administration to slip right out into the world with their ill-gotten gains and mass murder UNTOUCHED!

[BillZBubb]

It is in our national interest to punish the crimes of the Bush cabal. Failure to do so would establish a precedent for future usurpations by equally amoral "unitary" executives.

Signing statements, the official use of torture, suspension of Habeas Corpus, taking us to war on a lie laden, PR campaign, illegal spying on American's communications, outing a national intelligence agent and pardoning one of the co-conspirators, and ignoring congressional subpoenas are each alone worthy of impeachment. All together they scream of abuse of power never before seen in this nation.

The national interest demands these crimes be answered for.

[Steamboater]

Good post Hart. My only disagreement is that Iraq wasn't a mistaket and saying it's a mistake lets Bush off too easily. A mistake is something done unintentionally. Bush intentionally invaded Iraq. He was determined to do it and no one stopped him.

[chuckvw]

So you're going with a Bush enabler like Bloomberg?

If you want to regain a semblance of relevance, why not join the Peace Corps, Senator.

I'm American, too, who is heartbroken at watching his nation slip into a kind of corporate fascism. I guess they will pay you well.

[FOXYLADY]

THERE ARE SO MANY INTELLIGENT POSTERS ON TODAY. ALL "I" CAN DO IS POST SHORT COMMENTS AS THESE PEOPLE ARE WAY ABOVE ME IN POLITICAL KNOWLEDGE.......

[ajax2]

Continuing imperialism abroad and fascism at home is not in democracy's best interest.