What good Americans will do
Richard Haass has written a book you all should read. “The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens” (Penguin Press, 2023). Dr. Haass is President of the Council of Foreign Relations, and has served in Washington under four Presidents, both Democrats and Republicans.
The 1st Part, Rights and Their Limits, is a brief course in Civics. It tells of the development of our Constitution. He provides a summary of the country’s history: The Revolution; flaws in the Articles of Confederation; the initial Constitution was incomplete and did not solve the issue of slavery; first ten Amendments, the Bill of Rights addressed some issues; another 17 have passed to date. He believes that our democracy is in real peril and that we citizens must save it.
Haass attributes the plight of America today to a general loss of common identity of nationhood and a lack of shared experiences. Former Judge J. Michael Luttig said before the January 6th Committee, “We Americans no longer agree on what is right or wrong, what is to be valued and what is not, what is acceptable behavior and not, and what is and is not tolerable discourse in civilized society.”
Part Two is titled The Bill of Obligations. Merriam-webster defines obligation in part as:
“the action of obligating oneself to a course of action (as by a promise or vow).”
He then writes about ten Obligations:
1. Be informed: The undereducated tend to be uninformed about the truth of a situation. Don’t be gullible. Go to verifiable sources. Don’t use just a single basis for facts.
2. Get involved: Join groups that espouse what you believe to be important. Use your strengths to be a useful adherent.
3. Stay open to compromise: John Kennedy said, “Compromise need not mean cowardice. Indeed it is frequently the compromisers and conciliators who are faced with the severest tests of political courage as they oppose the extremist views of their constituents.” Rank your priorities. If lower ranking items are dropped this time, there can be another time.
4. Remain civil: “Treat others as you wish to be treated” works even in a nonreligious cause. Others will respect you compared to the screamer.
5. Reject violence: The mob that stormed the Capitol on January 6 were domestic terrorists, NOT PATRIOTS! Violence is often a crime that will ruin the perpetrator’s reputation, as well as jailtime.
6. Value norms: Civilized debate is superior to yelling. Be polite, truthful, patient, and prudent. Is what you propose truthful? Honest? Lawful?
7. Promote the common good: A law that benefits some at the expense or suffering of the weak must be negated. Look at valid outcomes of those who gain, and those who don’t. Just because the majority will gain does not necessarily mean the choice is good.
8. Respect government service: The large majority of those who work at the city, state, of national level want to serve their constituents well. They deserve your respect. Self-servers should be identified and relieved.
9. Support the teaching of Civics: When I was in senior high school civics was a required course. Civics classes help students to learn about themselves, the society they live in, and the broader world. It teaches about how government works; rather, and incorporates hands-on learning to stimulate active participation.
10. Put country first: The United States has been a sterling example to others in the World and still can be if we reunite, fight authoritarianism, and empathize with our neighbors.
Haass concludes with, “You will come away with a new appreciation of how we got to where we are and why what is best about this country is worth preserving.”