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

[Azor]

Another THANK YOU for an inspiring and uplifting article. I can only hope that at least some of the people Mr. Hart is going to meet with next week in OK share his understanding of the true meaning of bipartishanship.

[coloneblog]

A timely article, Senator. Indeed, over the Christmas/New Year holiday break, one of my politically and socially aware sons, on numerous occasions, essentially told me that he thought the "baby boomer generation" had screwed-up America; indeed the World. Naturally, he used "bush" as an example, noting how this spoiled brat "baby boomer" has lead this once great country into mediocrity. He went on to emphasize that the rest of us "boomer's" just sat back complacently watching and allowing "bush" and his complicit "scoundrels in crime," to get away with it. So here we are, the children of the "Greatest Generation," lazy and spoiled rotten, willing to just sit back and allow this once great democracy to be moved by corrupted leaders of government towards "fascisms;" talk about hypocrisy. Anyway, my son goes on to say, the people, today's voters, need to become more aware of the issues, formulate their own personal platforms and positions, fight for those beliefs and not be swayed either by what the candidates or the media spew. To follow is this "boomer's" platform:
* Public funded national elections and impose stricter limits on lobbying
* Restore all civil and human rights for all
* A foreign policy founded on peace, respect and diplomacy
* A single payer national health care program based on a wellness system for all
* An energy policy built on conservation that calls for 50 mpg minimum in 3 years and improving transportation systems for mass travel and freight
* A support of "nation building" lead by the US, but supported enthusiastically by the global community
* Strengthen our military by reducing our nuclear arsenal and reshaping our ground forces to meet 21st Century needs
* An American family support initiative that rewards all families with a responsible stay at home parent
* A dedicated and fully funded effort to clean-up the environment
* Open global trade with any nation that embraces workers rights [unionism] and high environmental standards
* Expanded public education and grow overall quality from "Head-start" through college
* Preservation of Social Security as a retirement program and enforce the restoration of abandoned pension programs

[KarenZipdrive]

I'll reconcile with the Republicans when they put the present party leaders in prison for war crimes and admit to their own transgressions, then beg for forgiveness.
In other words, fuck those liars and crooks.
While I can appreciate your "why can't we all just get along?" humility, this is not a time for it. America needs to see some hard justice done to these criminals who have ruined our nation in the last 8 years.

[JacqueItch]

It's a lovely essay, Mr. Hart.
But it is not out of the national interest to prosecute those who have broken our national laws (Constitution) and force them to pay back for what they have done. Failure to do so demonstrates an acceptance of what has been done, and that sets a very poor standard for everyone.
Punish the warprofiteers and liars. Jail them, and seize all their assets as repayment. If their actions have lead to the deaths of innocents, give them over to the World Court.

Then talk about true bipartisan cooperation.

[jcheadsup]

Said like a true politician Mr. Heart. It is that kind of thinking that makes me favor Dennis Kucinich, because he has his ducks in a row, starting with going after the criminals that have gotten us into this situation. Now you can call it revenge, or justice, I could care less, all I know is that we have to get back to living up to the rule of law in this country, for without it, we are doomed.

[cybermome1207]

Do you read these comments?

There is no comprising....The Republican party
has been hijacked. And we the people don't want any part of what ir represesnts

We WANT POLITICIANS that represent us...

And IPEACHMENT

[leftLibertarian]

Justice must be served. Either in a court of law, or by a gun if necessary.

Never forget. America's Revolutionary War was fought for our liberty. Not to serve justice is a gross insult to the True Sons of Liberty.

[Purple Girl]

The Repugs & the Dums, have taken this country for a ride.
No vengence- Oh I think Vengence must be ours!
For the last 40 years our public servants have been blowing corporate america. they have been instrumental in the agenda that has led US to this inevitable time in history. W. is the accumulation of decades for planning and stratedgy. A real Stooge in office. A corporate insider , a Lobbist for an industry that sold it's allegience to the Saudi's et al long ago. You've let our Auto industry & other manufacturing go to cheaper pastures. when I hear 'Expereince' from candidates my thought is experience in corruption.
I've been a voting Demfor 26 yrs- I will not vote for another Dem, they have proven their complicity in the undermining, fleecing and Defaming of America. I want every last 'bastard child' of this succubus' head on a platter.
Revenge is a dish which is best when served cold.
We are to do nothing to those who have insured we languished in the cesspool of Corporationism since the '70's?those who have done nothing to resolve our dependence on resources from an areas of the world that have hated US because of that, for decades (centuries, millenia)?
Who did not realize the best way to resolve our issues with those countries (region) was to need nothing from them.Getting off ME oil has been in our National interest since the '70's.
But our Politicians were in the pockets of the Capitolists/ corporationist. And look where it has landed US.
This Payback is going to be a Bitch!!Start booking the Mega Stadiums for the Trials! Now that would be in OUR National Interest!

[terryb]

All these politicians need to get the message, loud and clear, starting with bush and his pack of criminals. Impeach, indict, and punish. This is the only way, that the current and future politicians will understand that they are there to serve the people, and the rule of law. If any of them get out of line, they will realize, there will be consequences. Come on Gary, lets get real here.

[depjohnson]

Thank you, Mr. Hart, for being the grown-up in the room. You know that the kids have to pick up all the mess before the room can be used for its higher purpose. Bickering among the children over who left what lying around gets nothing done, nor does name-calling. It's more satisfying to call names, but it gets the family -- or the country -- nowhere. THANK YOU fortrying to remind us that what will move our country forward is a sense of national purpose. Arguing over who made the mess just wastes time.

[marika]

National Interest cannot be attained by establishing two levels of justice in our country - One for those in Washington and another for the lowly citizens.
National Interest is not leaving to history the criminal activities of our "elected" officials. The living must not accept the silence of the dead.

[wskytngo]

You make me sad with this post Mr. Hart. I used to resepect you as a flamethrower and much of what you have written in the past was salient and well thought out. But this post smells like surrender to a worse America. How is holding law breakers accountable vengeful or vindictive? It's called enforcing the law.

[CSE]

'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.'

Why must we restrict ourselves to only two choices? Look at our options under the current "this or that". Pitiful. Two available options - diluted and spiced with the pearls of wisdom gleaned from the latest polls, ground down to the simplest form of talking points in hopes that the masses will listen and understand enough to cast a meaningless vote.

The supposed 2006 consensus of the American people has been failed by both parties and is the most current example of how the will of the people means nothing.

Congress fears money and they are collectively unwilling to make any change that effects the flow of it - as directed by powerful lobbies and interest groups.

[BuckarooBanzai]

Show them no mercy...for they will show you none.

Senator Hart...you are avoiding the 800 pound gorilla in this argument. It's movement conservatism and its corruption of the Republican Party that is the cause of the destruction of our national interest.

Until we face the fact that in our bi-polar politics the "opposition" isn't just a different approach to governing, it is a profoundly anti-democratic, authoritarian, elitist and corrupt force that sees the elimination of our rights and the destruction of our form of Constitutional government as its goal.

This is not vengeance, this is not score settling, This is a fight to restore America. There will be sides, there will be conflict. In the body, you can't start the healing without destroying the organism that originated the disease. The body politic is no different.

[CieCie]

Our present administration are the 'invaders', the power, the hype, the 'big stick' - and blatantly and selfishly egocentric. What happened to goodwill, diplomacy, and minding our own store and not dictating and intimidating the rest of the world? I am sadly embarrassed and ashamed by how the Bush Administration has represented 'our' country.