House of Cards

My new book, Adrift: America in 100 Charts, comes out Tuesday. It’s the story of America told through … charts. You can buy it here.

The previous excerpt I shared was (cautiously) optimistic. In a world where bad news sells, it’s easy to feel nihilistic — apocalyptic, even — about the fate of our nation. Taking a step back to recognize our myriad accomplishments over the long term helps restore perspective, and hope for America. I stand by the virtues of optimism, and try to practice it regularly. (Emphasis on try.)

However, optimism — like alcohol — should be consumed in moderation. We shouldn’t abuse it to distract ourselves from our responsibilities and the commitments of daily life. And we certainly shouldn’t use it to sedate ourselves in the face of clear and present dangers.

This excerpt highlights some of the dangers I believe are most pressing. The news cycle has convinced us that the greatest threat to America is other Americans — MAGA Trumpers, social justice warriors, deep state bureaucrats … pick your poison. These narratives are compelling (profitable). And wrong: The greatest threat to Americans is our fear of other Americans. For the past several decades that fear has grown, and the rifts between us, broadened. We are reaching a tipping point.

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Πηγή: profgalloway.com