Statecraft Informer

Often it seems the world is going to hell in a hand-basket.

That’s an early twentieth century expression Americans made popular, like so many aspects of the preceding 100 years.

During the nineteen hundreds, the U.S.A. emerged as a genuine global power, and the strongest economic engine in the history of the world.

As the old century slipped into the new, the U.S., as had storied civilizations of old, stood astride the globe like a colossus.

Envied, feared and loved, the U.S.A. entered the new age, the post-American century, without a plan—some say without a clue—for translating historical success into future development and global cooperation.

One pretty morning, a handful of foreign radicals made good on their personal decisions to trade their lives on earth for the title “hometown hero.” More successful than any could have imagined, including their “radical-in-chief,” the elusive bin Laden, iconic American buildings, and about three thousand citizens and foreign workers were sacrificed that day.

With lightning speed, overwhelming force, and ostensibly the support of the entire world , the U.S. and allies, quickly brought “justice” to the forces behind the attacks, and the nation of radicals in which they lived.

Early in 2002, the United States of America had perhaps achieved its greatest success as a post WWII power, and enjoyed a period of global unity unprecedented in recent history.

Of course the world was, and is, troubled by the atrocities and brutality inherent in human beings with undernourished egos, fear of the future, and hate in their hearts. Recorded history supports the idea that it may always be so, on an earth populated by human beings.

What appears to have slipped through our fingers is a golden opportunity to build something new for the world; create a new paradigm; establish a new, more productive, open and honest role for the U.S. and its tremendous power.

It may, in fact, be too late now to “start over” along those lines.

Certainly, we cannot take advantage of a window of opportunity we have slammed shut upon ourselves.

However, there is always another window. Always another door upon which opportunity will knock.

As the current year draws to a close, I continue to believe we will find a better path. Personally, I will persevere in my commitment to “the middle.”

As a manic-depressive, I know all about the extremes. As a human being and student of history, I know there’s no difference between bi-polar people, or bi-polar nations.

Extremes are ignorant.

Extremes reflect the baser natures of people.

Extremes are essentially unstable.

Extremes are lost and want you to join them.

Extremes are intolerant of peace.

In worse-case scenarios, Extremes kill.

People and nations can, and should, follow a balanced course which allows for and includes the occasional mood swing. What both should refrain from doing as often as possible is making any “big decisions” while riding the highest highs or the lowest lows.

Doing so often leads to disaster of one kind or another.

When it seems the world is going to hell in a hand-basket, the urge to do nothing, or something stupid, is great.

But this is the time, and perhaps the right time of year, to remember people and nations cannot really stop the world from going to hell in a hand-basket… at least not alone. Not without the cooperation and support of other people or other nations.

The only ones who have to go it alone in this world are the ones that choose to do so.

History has shown that those who make that choice face two likely ends. They pursue a path of dominance and force, only to be vanquished by another more dominant force; or they follow a road of isolation, become marginalized, paranoid, and vulnerable to aggressive incursions.

I am a lucky man.

Born and raised in a country which has always provided my potential free reign, notwithstanding the societal inequities with which everyone, everywhere, must contend.

When I was spinning wildly along a manic-depressive roller-coaster ride, I had trouble understanding my good fortune.

I railed against the forces preventing me from flying all the way to the sun if I wanted to!

I moaned about the forces boxing me inside a room with no doors or windows or air to breath.

I was unable to appreciate the remarkable set of circumstances which enabled my very existence in this time and in this place.

Underneath the “happy” highs” and the “sad” lows, was a persistent wave of anger. Anger that neither extreme ever lasted long enough or mattered enough or accomplished enough; and the middle was just a confusing jumble of boring, inconsequential frustration.

But like I said, I am a lucky man.

After a lifetime of “riding the waves,” I have found a variety of techniques able to “keep me centered.” I can still tap into the extreme hearts of my highs and lows, but without becoming consumed by them.

My extremes help me now.

I get more done, without feeling like I have to do everything. I get to rest, without having to crash and burn.

This nation I love so much can do the same.

The U.S. can make the most of all its extremes by accepting and understanding them, and by insuring that neither is ever allowed to rule the day.

If America can find its center and stick to it, I believe it will never have to go it alone.

Then as to the world going to hell in a hand-basket, the journey will gradually become more and more free, and with luck, the world will never get there.