I think Dr Brands has misinterpreted today’s conservatives. They don’t think this is the greatest country or even a great country. They despise the nation’s government; attacking our justice system, our social support system, even our military. And they deplore many of our community structures; public schools, worker unions, community organizing, non-evangelical churches. These conservatives certainly seem to dislike the majority of their fellow citizens. They say our leaders are stupid, we, including the military, never win anymore and quite explicitly they say America is no longer great - please make it great again.
Even Obama could play to the flag-wavers when he was seeking the nomination. I recall his saying "my success story would not have been even remotely possible in any other country." False! There are success stories in all societies. Other countries have produced leaders from the "lower" rungs of society.
President Obama could thread the most delicate needle. Questions as this can make political campaigns so dreary. Yet they make us think about what makes any country great. Really difficult too answer.
The fact that so many Americans think we are great is what’s keeping us from being better.
I think Dr Brands has misinterpreted today’s conservatives. They don’t think this is the greatest country or even a great country. They despise the nation’s government; attacking our justice system, our social support system, even our military. And they deplore many of our community structures; public schools, worker unions, community organizing, non-evangelical churches. These conservatives certainly seem to dislike the majority of their fellow citizens. They say our leaders are stupid, we, including the military, never win anymore and quite explicitly they say America is no longer great - please make it great again.
I take your point. It's just that I don't consider the MAGA movement to be conservative.
Even Obama could play to the flag-wavers when he was seeking the nomination. I recall his saying "my success story would not have been even remotely possible in any other country." False! There are success stories in all societies. Other countries have produced leaders from the "lower" rungs of society.
President Obama could thread the most delicate needle. Questions as this can make political campaigns so dreary. Yet they make us think about what makes any country great. Really difficult too answer.