America needs a new liberalism

Liberalism: A political and social philosophy that

Today, America finds itself engaged in a fierce and toxic struggle. We are witnessing a populist rebellion against liberal elites — liberal elites who are ubiquitous in our politics, our economic spheres and our culture. They are self-serving and unwilling to recognize the needs, challenges and aspirations of the preponderance of the American people.

This current — and distorted — version of true liberalism is breaking down and, with it, our national political order.

Former President Donald Trump and his allies are not alone in having exacerbated the breakdown. Moreover, they did not cause the breakdown. They have, however, exploited and intensified the existing and pervasive dissatisfaction among the American people.

We need a new liberalism that works for all Americans.

Given the complexities of global unrest, of rapid and loosely controlled technological advances, of the malice and dysfunction existent in our internal politics, Americans face an uncertain future. We ask ourselves: Where do we fit? Where are we going? And in the process we begin to mistrust each other — to blame and demean our fellow Americans.

In recent years, our steadfast individualism has given way to a soft and shapeless distortion of true liberalism. Increasingly we rely on our government to stabilize the economy, while at the same time, through an expanded welfare state, to provide economic security.

Nevertheless, our economic engine — American capitalism

— is working efficiently and productively and is currently working much more effectively than our political systems.

The U.S. national debt has eclipsed $34 trillion. Yet Congress has proven unable to come to terms with this and to mitigate the precariously widening deficit. Continued spending, in the face of a $34 trillion debt, underscores the blatant disregard for our perilous fiscal situation.

Our country has become a massive welfare state. This is compounded by an aging population and by increased poverty among Americans in the lower income economic levels. This increases pressure on the welfare state.

Our elected politicians have the capacity to resolve these conflicting trajectories — our massive debt and the increasing demands of our population — but this hard work is being evaded. In its place: profligate spending, political in-fighting and grandstanding. Too many of our officials now value reelection over their sworn duties. And with this, many actively promote nationalist and cultural divisions.

We once agreed that the basic purpose of government — and hence, politics — in a democratic society is to perpetuate the ideals set forth in our Constitution, “to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.”

We need to call again for that imperative. For a new liberalism — one based on stabilizing fiscal constraints and fewer government support programs, while still providing and increasing opportunities for economic security.

Our country is best served when our emphasis is on economic opportunity, free trade and markets and limited government. We’re well served when, as a nation, we nurture vigorous individualism while still actively attending to the collective good.

We need to call America to A New Liberalism.