World Stuff [For those interested in current events from a Biblical Worldview.]
Here again, I write with some reluctance. This year’s presidential election is a slow-moving train wreck that only guarantees more civil and political discord no matter who wins.
Let me therefore offer a slightly different perspective on the matter.
The first presidential debate didn’t occur until 1960, between John F. Kennedy (D) and Richard Nixon (R). It was also the first televised political debate, which had a significant influence on the election. Those who only heard the debate on radio believed Nixon won, yet those who watched the debate believed Kennedy won. Here we see the power of “optics” not simply on presidential elections, but society in general.
There were other political debates prior to 1960—the most famous of which were the seven debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas for the Illinois senatorial seat. These were actual debates, without moderators, each lasting 3 hours. Presidential primary debates between candidates running for the presidential nomination of their party began in 1948 (between Thomas Dewey and Harold Stassen for the Republican party nomination). Over time these “debates” turned more into moderated Q&A sessions.
With possibly a few exceptions, modern presidential candidates simply do not have the skillset for real debates. Instead, it’s all about optics and gotcha moments, much like the dietary priorities of our culture, which have moved from organic to processed food. Tasty for a moment, but ultimately unhealthy.
Which leads me to the main point of this post—the dumbing down of American society.
When Allan Bloom wrote The Closing of the American Mind in 1987, it revealed an injurious trajectory that continues unabated, some would say encouraged, to this day. Anecdotally, as an educator over the past few decades I can attest to a significant and widespread drop in both objectivity and cognitive ability. Yet scientific research affirms this trend—from cratering test scores and limited vocabulary to a near non-existent appreciation for or understanding of history.
This demise is largely a result of Leftists ideologies, including but not limited to the establishment and near worship of victim mentalities, identity politics, class warfare, the rejection of objective truth and reality, the assault on traditional family structures, etc. In academia, critical thinking has been replaced with ideological brainwashing, authority has been handed over to adolescents, and institutions are struggling to define their role in society beyond being very expensive daycare facilities.
Sweeping generalizations? Maybe, but there’s enough data to show that Americans today are far less capable of processing information and controlling their emotions than they were a generation ago. Simply look at this year’s presidential candidates, both of whom objectively are serial liars, prone to angry outbursts, and lacking in intellectual prowess.
The first 2024 presidential “debate” merely revealed how badly our nation needs intelligent, moral, steadfast, courageous leadership. If this is the best each party can offer, we’re in trouble and will be for many years. Of course, each side will spin things to cover their candidate’s failures in the debate, highlighting the other candidate’s failures, and few if any aside from some independents won’t change their vote.
“He may be an imbecile, but he’s OUR imbecile!”
In response, I’m reminded of a quote from Allan Bloom’s book:
“We are like ignorant shepherds living on a site where great civilizations once flourished. The shepherds play with the fragments that pop up to the surface, having no notion of the beautiful structures of which they were once a part” (pg. 231).
America seems to be in decline, not because our ideals are untenable, but because we’re failing to steward them well. Our current presidential candidates are simply fruit of an unhealthy tree.
Topics for Future Blogs?
Email Me: richardaallenjr@pondering.blog
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