Losing the Moral Conflict at Home

I've been discussing moral conflict over at
GG
. However, it's likely the US government lost the moral conflict here
at home well before the events of Iraq spun out of control. Here's what
I mean. Moral cohesion comes from making connections. One of the most
important connection to grow and deepen is to domestic stakeholders.
This requires putting the needs of the nation above the needs of the
party. Unfortunately, or should I say predictably, the events of 9/11
were viewed as a means to gain political advantage on a Republican
domestic agenda. This agenda was viewed as separate from the needs of
the war. It wasn't (and still isn't). There was never any attempt to
create a consensus policy for preparing our economy and society for the
long years ahead. By pushing forward a Republican agenda the
administration seriously weakened ties to opposition party and a large
segment of Americans. It was only a matter of time before this
“outside” group(s) mounted a challenge to the conduct of the war.

There is also a moral flaw here. The tradition of American
leadership is to put aside personal needs in a time of crisis. To
abandon that tradition is a moral failing.  [John Robb's Weblog]