I recently asked a group of young people whether they trust “the system.” Most said no. Youthful alienation reflects the generally cynical spirit of the times. Trust is at an all-time low. The Pew Center reported that in 2023 only 16% of Americans trust the government to do what is right always or most of the time. Republicans are less trusting than Democrats. But the atmosphere of alienation is bi-partisan.

The Trump trials are a microcosm of the problem. The former president routinely lambasts judges and prosecutors as corrupt. Recently, he falsely claimed that the FBI, under Joe Biden’s direction, was seeking to kill him when they searched his compound in Florida.

If Trump is right, this is a “badly failing nation,” as he has put it. If he is wrong, we are still in the midst of a political disaster given that Trump’s party believes that the justice system is wicked and the electoral system is corrupt.

It is a wonder, then, that any young person would want any part of such a decadent system. The taint of corruption justifiably turns off decent people. Would any decent young person want to run for office, become a cop, a lawyer, or a judge in such a tainted system? Why would anyone want to serve on a jury, or even bother to vote in a badly failing nation?

This leads to the risk of what we might call a decency drain. Who will remain to run the system, if everyone thinks it is broken? As decent people get fed up and leave, those who stay behind get weirder and more extreme. This drives out the remaining normal people, making it easier for even worse oddballs to gain power.

Correlated with the decency drain is a cynicism doom loop. Cynicism ultimately empowers cynics, who are not ashamed to take advantage. When smart and decent people abdicate positions of authority, the resulting power vacuum will suck in crooks and con men. This can happen in community groups and entire civilizations. When good people abandon ship, the cynics will pounce and eliminate the last shreds of decency from the organization.

The solution is obvious. Decent people need to remain engaged. They must continue to fight the good fight. This is not easy, or pleasant. But it is necessary for organizations, and civilizations, to survive.

These problems are ancient. When Plato proposed that virtuous philosopher-kings should rule, he understood this was unlikely. Good people tend to view the ugly tumult of political life with disdain. Plato’s solution depended on the wise man’s sense of duty, which would compel him to engage in politics despite the ugliness.

In ancient reality, this did not work out well. Socrates was executed. Plato was imprisoned by a tyrant and sold into slavery. Aristotle was more prudent. But he fled Athens to escape political persecution.

Wise and decent people have often been the victims of corrupt regimes. This is another version of the decency drain. When the good guys are all either dead, in prison, or in exile, who will be left to fix things?

At that point it is too late. Which is why we must respond before the doom loop cuts too deeply. We must call out the nihilism of the cynics while reaffirming our commitment to basic decency. Young people, especially, need to be encouraged to seek justice, wisdom, and virtue in service to the common good. The future of “we, the people” depends upon the hope of the citizens of the future.

The coming months will likely be difficult for our democracy. There will be even more cynical words thrown around about a corrupt and broken system. It may become tempting at some point to succumb to cynicism, or to opt out entirely. But the system is not as corrupt as the cynics make it out to be. There are decent and honorable people working to do the right thing. And the system won’t improve unless good people remain committed to fixing it. We the people must believe that the system is worth fighting for, and that it is in our power to fix it.

Read more at: https://www.fresnobee.com/opinion/article288915860.html#storylink=cpy

Life is more wonderful than we often think

Fresno Bee, December 26, 2016

Be grateful for good news
Don’t let cynical grumps get you down
Take time to recharge your moral batteries

There is much good in the world, even though we often don’t see it. Grumpy Scrooges would have us believe the world stinks. But things aren’t as bad as the cynics contend.

Consider this recent story. In Fresno, an Applebee’s server named Brian Geery discovered a bag with $32,000 left in the restaurant. Geery did the right thing and returned the money to its owners. That’s a story of common decency, reminiscent of that old Christmas film, “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

In an interview Geery explained, “I’m a big believer in karma. I just feel like you treat others as you would want to be treated.”

Karma and the golden rule are good guides for a wonderful life.

This undated file photo shows, from left, James Stewart, Donna Reed and Thomas Mitchell in the 1946 movie “It’s a Wonderful Life,” directed by Frank Capra. The movie is a good reminder that each day is a prize, says ethics columnist Andrew Fiala. The good news is that generosity, compassion, hospitality, honesty, and integrity create positive ripples. Peace on Earth and goodwill to men grow from the decent decisions of ordinary people like Geery and millions of others who believe it is good to do the right thing.

While cranky commentators rant about the decline of civilization, we often forget the vast majority is trustworthy, kind and reasonable. But the good is taken for granted. We don’t notice the daily decency of honest people. We go about our business, leading wonderful lives in quiet obscurity. We pay our bills, raise our children and contribute to the common good.

None of that makes the headlines. Headline news often prefers scandals, violence and cynical sniping. War, hate and misery catch our eye. The grumpy grousers magnify the bad, amplifying outrage and anxiety.

USE THE INTERLUDE BETWEEN CHRISTMAS AND THE NEW YEAR TO CONSIDER GOOD NEWS. CONSTRUCT A YEAR-END LIST OF ALL THE SIGNS OF DECENCY YOU’VE EXPERIENCED.

The world isn’t perfect. There is always some bad news somewhere for the grumblers to gripe about. But good is as easy to find as the reliable labor and moral integrity of people like Geery and good old George Bailey of “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

Here’s a suggestion. Use the interlude between Christmas and the New Year to consider good news. Construct a year-end list of all the signs of decency you’ve experienced. Consider the smile of your waiter, the friendly wave of a neighbor, and the effort of every teacher, mentor and friend you’ve ever had. For most of us, the good outweighs the bad. And if it doesn’t, then it is up to you to push the balance in the right direction.

Decency is more widespread than the cynics allow. Consider the sheer number of good deeds done on Earth each year. According to the World Giving Index, last year 2.2 billion people helped a stranger, 1.4 billion people donated money, and 1 billion people volunteered their time.

The most generous country last year was Myanmar, followed by the U.S. and New Zealand.Americans donate a lot to charity: over $350 billion in 2014. Good for us. But in modest little Myanmar, 90 percent of adults reported giving to charity. They don’t have a lot to give, but they give a lot.

The Buddhist culture of Myanmar helps explain this ubiquitous benevolence. Charity is connected with the effort to overcome egoistic attachment, pride and anger. If you want to feel liberated from the burdens of life, stop complaining and start giving.

While generosity liberates us from egoism, gratitude lightens the soul, reminding us that good exists. Gratitude teaches us to be open and accepting. Instead of greedily focusing on what we lack, we give thanks for what we have received. Gratitude teaches us to accept more and reject less – to wag more and bark less, as the bumper sticker says.

Imagine how grateful you would feel if someone like Geery returned a lost treasure. Now, pause to realize that each day is a prize, each handshake a gift and every smile is a treasure.

That’s the message of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” In one scene a sign on the wall proclaims: “All that you can take with you is that which you’ve given away.” That’s a proverb worth remembering, a recipe for a wonderful life.

Next year, there will be work to be done to improve the world. There always is. So take time now to recharge your moral batteries. Stop listening to the grumps. Find some good news – or make some of your own. Give thanks. And pause to reflect on the gentle power of karma and the golden rule.

Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/living/article51575905.html#storylink=cpy

Tag: decency

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Life is more wonderful than we often think