Rising political tribalism, shamelessly exaggerating our opponents' claims or behavior, is leaving us vulnerable: No one loves America's internal fighting - and our increasingly siloed news consumption - more than Vladimir Putin.
Interpretation
Tribalism in politics is harmful and benefits adversaries like Vladimir Putin.
Ben Sasse highlights how the rise of political tribalism in America, characterized by the distortion of opponents' views and behaviors, is detrimental to the nation's unity. He warns that such divisiveness creates vulnerabilities that external adversaries can exploit, illustrating how the internal conflicts within the country are advantageous to figures like Putin who seek to undermine American strength and cohesion.
In practice
During a political debate, one could use this quote to emphasize the importance of unity over division.
Among the responsibilities of each citizen in a participatory democracy is keeping ourselves sufficiently informed so that we can participate effectively, argue our positions honorably, and hopefully, forge sufficient consensus to understand each other and then to govern.
Becoming a reader grows our horizons, our appetite for the good, the true and the beautiful, and our empathy.
The health of our republic depends on shared principles like the First Amendment, but it is also built on the Teddy Roosevelt-like vigor of its citizens and local self-reliance.
Being stuck in adolescence - that's a hell. 'Peter Pan' is a dystopia, and we forget that. Neverland is a bad place to be.
Good history is good story-telling. And good story-telling demands empathy; it requires understanding different actors, differing motivations, competing goals.
I don't think that our Founders would believe that America could long prosper if the people were not readers.
Even the alternative weekly newspapers, traditionally a bastion of progressive thought and analysis, have been bought by a monopoly franchise and made a predictable shift to the right in their coverage of local news.
The world will not accept dictatorship or domination.
The violence associated with the A.N.C. is minimal, infinitesimal next to the violence of the apartheid regime.
All of the great patriots now engaged in edging and squirming their way toward the Presidency of the Republic run true to form. That is to say, they are all extremely wary, and all more or less palpable frauds. What they want, primarily, is the job; the necessary equipment of unescapable issues, immutable principles and soaring ideals can wait until it becomes more certain which way the mob will be whooping.
There is not an example on record of any free state holding a province of the same extent and population without disastrous consequences. The nations conquered and held as a province have, in time, retaliated by destroying the liberty of their conquerors through the corrupting effect of extended patronage and irresponsible power.
Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed there are many rewards, if you disgrace yourself you can always write a book.
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