Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 15, 1995 TAG: 9503160005
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: AJENE QUILLIN
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
In essence, what he said sandwiched in between his scholarly lectures and his explosive denunciations was that if the Republican Party could not deliver on its "contract" and related legislative initiatives, he could see the American electorate looking seriously at an independent political movement. Given the rising cynicism on the part of the American public, it is becoming increasingly apparent that the maladies inflicting society are far deeper than that of balancing the budget.
America and its Western allies have won the cold war, thus leaving United States as the only superpower (militarily). Arguably, this nation possesses the highest standard of living on the planet (though Canadians may argue otherwise). Most of the economic indicators seem to suggest that the economy is robust. Yet with sardonic irony, psychologists say that the prevalence of neurosis abounds in staggering proportions; fear and uncertainties seem to be standard fare in describing the social, economic and political landscape.
It was (is) with this backdrop that some perceptive political pundits suggested that the most overriding, yet unarticulated, issue during the elections was not that of the health of the economy, but of that which binds Americans together: the "American culture."
If Americans were asked to compose a short list of the maladies ailing America today - beyond the old standbys of drug and alcoholic addiction, abortion, taxes and welfare reform - one would probably come up with some of the following concerns:
Segments of the economy becoming "service-oriented," which has had the effect of hiring increasing numbers of part-time help with low wages and few or no benefits, notably health.
The downsizing of companies (layoffs or firings).
A widespread disgruntlement among a work force working increasingly more hours and feeling less secure; frustrations have ended in shooting(s) of supervisors and managers by subordinates.
The male and female conflict (50 percent divorce rate) manifesting at home, work and in places of worship.
Racial polarization, bell-shape curves and immigration.
Which of these issues do you think the Republican contract (or the Democrats' counterproposals) will address? For the most part, no legislative enactments will cure any of these maladies.
Indeed, the November elections will prove to be one of the most significant elections on record, not because it put in place a Republican majority, but because of its recognition by the electorate that there is something critically wrong with America.
The question ultimately becomes: Are we caught up in the throes of some megatrends that will thrust America into an evolving superculture, or are we hurtling down the path that led to the fall of the Roman Empire?
Ajene Quillin of Lexington is a youth worker at the Natural Bridge Youth Correctional Center.
by CNB