This
pandemic COVID19 is teaching valuable lessons even as it threatens, scares and
devastates our lives. Even Donald J.
Trump appears to have finally absorbed enough information to force him to
realize that this virus is about to bring dire consequences. BUT ENOUGH ABOUT TRUMP! (for now!)
Coming to the realization that the Coronavirus pandemic has
the potential to change our world permanently for the better is worth contemplating even while we are caught in its horrendus grip, but only if we
take steps to prevent it from changing for the worst. Some will say (as some have always said
in the face of substantial change):
“Now Is NOT the Time! Hold off thinking about this until this thing
is over.”
So, there it is: the very attitude that always
keeps us from being innovative, inventive, proactive and ahead of the curve or
the apex. The very attitude that got us
to this apex of viral attack in our nation without adequate preparation and
without the plan, supplies and equipment necessary to stem its voracious
appetite:
--“Put
It Off”
–
“Kick the Can Down the Road”
–“Wait Until the Time is Right”
–
“Don’t Rock the Boat”
–
“Slow Down and Wait”
These
are some of the bumper-sticker voices of those who believe that holding-the-line
or retreating-from-reality or fear-of-unknown future forces are the only ways
to deal with their fears of change, displacement, challenge or sacrifice.
If
one major axiom should have been learned from this event, it is that One Cannot Wait to React – we have to get ahead
of the curve, the apex, the storm, by not only thinking ahead when challenges
like this pandemic appear on our radar, but by collecting data immediately on
everything it can tell us. The Trump administration and the Congress waited too
long to recognize the threat, to collect and analyze data, and then too long to
meet it head-on in a nation-wide manner.
Trump now blames the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) for not providing
needed information soon enough. NO
DONALD – THEY HAD PROTOCOLS AND TESTS OUT BEFORE YOU ORDERED NO FLIGHTS IN FROM
CHINA! (see the timeline in my last
post).
Lives might have been
saved had Trump not demurred, doubting the science and reacting with ‘too
little, too late.’ Testing was abominable, and too restricted. Nationwide guidelines were not made
imperative for everyone and they failed to flatten the trajectory of the
disease. A lead agency and lead person
were never in place and confusion reigned as to who was in charge and what
guidelines to follow (although natural leaders appeared who gave us direction
and a bit of hope).
Worst of all perhaps,
we forgot our federalism, and made states responsible for their own
survival, rather than providing the leadership of the federal government in
concert with the states and their officeholders, and the front-line warriors.
Thank
goodness that Congress realized its role in federalism and stepped up to pass
stimulus bills in a timely manner by overwhelming bi-partisan votes. As well,
the CDC kept fulfilling its mission by providing information and guidelines based
on scientific facts and models.
Without
heroes on the front lines – the first responders, doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, cleaning
staff, medical work managers, and associates of many functions -- we could never have begun to get through this
in any way that would leave us with hope
or vitality. The people in apartments, and
the firemen and women in front of NYC hospitals had it right – giving deserved
applause and heart-felt thanks to our front-line troops in this war. They know that it’s not over – we have miles
to go before we can rest. But those good
people also know that we have to start now to change that which doesn’t work
and to build on bold ideas, concepts, best practices and innovations that have
the potential to help us now and in the future when we face another crisis.
Here
are just a few thoughts I’ve started considering. One of the roots that stimulated them is an
article that is a compendium of ideas for change and reform collected from
various sources by the MAGAZINE section of Politico. Any quotes used below are from that source
unless otherwise indicated.
“Civic
Federalism” – it occurs to me that what this crisis (and every other
area of critical importance when all states need to act as one) -- under the direction
and coordination of the federal government -- is not socialism but a national ‘civic’
federalism.
One
of the many factors that helped shape the new Constitution in 1787 was the
difficulty General Washington had with the independent colonies in gathering
personnel and monetary support for the Revolutionary War he was leading against
the British. In a useful Guide to the United
States Constitution, author Richard Beeman, Professor of History at University
of Pennsylvania, gives us this glimpse into the ‘united states’ under the
Articles of Confederation:
“The
fifty-five men who gathered in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State
House in the summer of 1787 faced a formidable task. The thirteen “united states” that comprised
the American union under the Articles of Confederation were in fact profoundly disunited. America, by the extraordinary expanse of its
territory, the ethnic and religious diversity of its population, and the
existence of thirteen independent and sovereign states, each possessing
distinct and political traditions and a multitude of varying and competing
interests, was by no means inevitably meant to be a single nation.”
The
Framers faced a difficult dilemma. One prevalent underlying belief was that centralized government power “was inherently
aggressive, inherently dangerous,” as demonstrated by British monarchy. Some of
the revolutionists believed that “the best way to protect personal liberties
was “to keep government relatively weak and…close to the people, where those
entrusted with power could be closely watched.”
The very last thing that a goodly number wished to do was create a
strong central government, distant and isolated from the people of the country. “Yet…America’s patriot leaders knew some form
of central government was necessary to fight and win a war against one of the
world’s great military powers and thus achieve…independence.”
“As
the year 1786 drew to a close, with the Continental government facing bankruptcy,
and with armed insurrection threatening peace and public order in
Massachusetts, those political leaders…began to realize that dramatic action
needed to be taken if they were going to preserve…both liberty and order.”
James Madison in Federalist paper #39
defended the concept and declared that it helped make the government both
federal and national.
Today,
we share the same dilemma. In the face
of this invisible dangerous enemy named COVID19, should the federal government
take dramatic action to fight this war against this virulent virus that
threatens the lives of tens of thousands of our people?
Or, as we have been led to believe, should the federal government merely
lend “back-up” support to the states as the managers of this fight, with the
people acting individually to slow the progression by appropriate actions as
suggested by scientists and health professionals?
This
is not the time to debate the age-old question of federal versus state. It is not in our interest nor is it healthy
to have such a paralyzing political discussion that does nothing more than
render us as bankrupt as the Confederation in 1786. The compromises made long ago to balance out
governmental powers, and the tests of that throughout our history, should
enable us to realize beyond a shadow of a doubt that we can use great federal
power when we need it without compromising the status of our states and our
union. We can nationalize efforts on
behalf of the whole nation and come out the other side with a return to balanced
government resuming its normal pursuits of order and personal liberty.
In
WWII, for example, we had nationalizing of industries to make sure we had the
equipment to enable us to fight; we had rationing of supplies and goods and
food to make sure we had enough for everybody; we collected and donated certain
items like tin cans and worn out tires for the increased manufacture of war materiel
and other necessities. We volunteered to
help by buying war bonds and assisting neighbors.
And the Roosevelt administration took extraordinary efforts to find jobs
for the unemployed. We lived and worked
for the centralized war effort but also viewed it as a personal responsibility.
The
centralized federal and widespread national effort was a necessity, just as it
is now in this fight against COVID19. We
need the full power of federal, state and local governments working in concert
to vanquish this awful enemy. The battle
against this common enemy might just promote a greater national solidarity and
approach to major crises and major problems.
“The
Reagan era is over. The widely accepted
idea that government is inherently bad won’t persist after coronavirus. This event is global evidence that a
functioning government is crucial for a healthy society.”
“The
coronavirus might sow the seeds of a new civic federalism in which states and
localities become centers of justice, solidarity and far-sighted democratic
problem-solving.”
By
realizing that a strong central government is not the enemy of the people nor the source
of problems like disease, violence or homelessness, it can be the functional provider
of workable and just solutions for many of our problems. But, only if we can get beyond party
differences and special interest greediness to actually employ the vast
resources and expertise of our government agencies and their professionals to
solve such crises and problems. .
“The
ascendance of kindness and goodness –of a ‘generosity of spirit and action’-
during this crisis suggests that “now is the time for profound change in our
cultural and political discourse.” Here
are a few more suggestions of attitudes and beliefs that may revive or improve due
to this pandemic:
uwe need to return to having faith in science
and in experts. For too long, we have
abandoned our scientists and experts as “nerds” or “brains,” as a kind of cast (‘caste’?)
of characters separate from our own lives. During the impeachment proceedings,
and now under the strain and stress of this pandemic, we have taken a shine to
many of these professional civil servants, not only because of their expertise
but because of their courage and fortitude.
Suddenly, a Dr. Fauci has gained national prominence and recognition,
like a rock star or athletic hero (unfortunately needing secret service protection
from those who are forever threatened by what they do not understand – facts
and truth).
uthis pandemic has made government
more visible and a source of guidance; even bringing help and hope from
unexpected places. Who would have thought
that Andrew Cuomo, Governor of New York, would have been someone that people
would tune in to hear on an almost daily basis?
For that matter, when did governors and state governments ever receive
this much attention? We need to harness the energy and grass roots experience of this this branch of our government in more ways than holding phone calls, conferences or annual meetings.
“Not
only will America need a massive dose of big government to get out of this
crisis – as Washington’s swift passage of a giant economic bailout package
reflects – but we will need big, and wise, government more than ever in its
aftermath.” (The Code: Silicon Valley and the Remaking of America by Margaret O’Mara)
usome of the “rules”
(and “myths”) no longer apply.
i. Legislation to bring monetary
help to victims of COVID19 passed within days instead of months;
ii. Research sped up;
iii. Medicines used even
though not yet through formal approval protocol;
iv. Changes in strategies
to meet demands on people and institutions like hospitals
v. freezes on payments and
penalties to ease financial burdens of ordinary people
“It’s
clear in a crisis, the rules don’t apply – which makes you wonder why they are
rules in the first place. This is an unprecedented opportunity to not just hit
the pause button…but to permanently change the rules so that untold millions of
people aren’t so vulnerable to begin with.” (Democracy May Not Exist, but
We’ll Miss It When Its Gone by Astra Taylor)
After
all, if evictions can be stopped, or foreclosures stopped for inability to pay the mortgage, people can be
excused from penalties for late payments and some debtors granted relief or
student loans or interest cancelled, new hospital beds and areas built up in
days, is it any longer realistic to presume that:
§ some fees for lateness
on utilities or bank loans can’t be reduced or eliminated?
§ housing can’t be built within
days for the homeless
§ renters can’t have as
many rights as landlords?
§ paid sick leave can ‘t
be made a right for all workers?
§ medicines can’t be
approved in a more rapid manner?
§ adequate affordable
health care for all is not desirable and achievable?
This
epidemic should teach us that some of “the rules we have lived under
were
unnecessary, and simply made society more brittle and unequal.” It’s time to question “the rules” promulgated
for us, and to denounce those politicians who tell us what’s possible and
what’s not (and then exempt themselves from those same rules!).
Hopefully,
you get the idea that reform and substantive change is more than rules and
regulations, or policies and procedures.
Part of change is the attitudes and beliefs (or myths) we bring to bear
upon our daily rounds and habits, our biases and prejudices.
Every
so often, something happens that shakes up those structures and biases, and we
begin to wonder: is there something more that I am missing? One of the authors cited in the Politico compendium
put it this way:
“This
current plague time might see a recharged commitment to a…worldview that
recognizes we have a short time on earth, the Doomsday Clock is a minute from
midnight, and living peacefully and meaningfully together is going to take much
more than bed-making and canny investments.
A more expansive and braver approach to everyday existence is now
crucial so that we don’t fall in line with Trump-like tyrannies… orthodoxy, and
environmentally and physiologically devastating behaviors” This one devastating
event could “force us to reconsider who we are and what we value and…help us
rediscover the better version of ourselves.”
It
could reorient us “from a “market-based emphasis on hyper-individualism” to substantial
new investments in public goods and services as we find new ways to support
each other.” We could see a healthier and
more robust digital lifestyle, the rise of telemedicine, stronger universally
available family care and healthcare, greater attention to vulnerable and
minority populations, voting by mail and/or internet, stronger domestic supply
chains, and simply a “braver approach to everyday life.”
There
is much more to be said in terms of specific steps for changes we might make
that grow out of our current circumstances. I have spoken before of many of
these. Let me conclude with references
to some of the deeper-dive changes I have managed to present for your
consideration on this Blog (perhaps you might like to read some of them at your
leisure!):
v Amendments to the
Constitution – 6/20/10; 5/26/14; 10/13/15;
v Changes in schools and
public education – 9/26/10; 10/6/10; 9/1/13; 5/18/16
v Voting Rights – 11/9/18
v Revolutionary reform –
7/4/14; 7/20/18; 12/21/18
v Automatic Universal
Voter Enrollment – 6/17/19
v Electoral College
Abolished—1/27/13;
v Congressional process
changes – 12/17/11; 2/3/13; 3/23/14; 3/10/20;10/30/15
v Representation changes
– 2/26/17
v Strengthening of federalism
and balance of powers – 7/21/14; 1/12/15
v Affordable Healthcare
for all – 5/1/11; 10/23/11; 7/2/12; 7/8/12; 8/18/13; 9/29/13
v National and Community
Service—10/27/17; 2/8/16
v Changing the
Qualifications and Duties of Political Offices – 5/8/19
v Closing Offices to
Unqualified People—2/20/19
v Border Crossings and
Immigration – 4/21/13; 9/15/13; 1/11/19; 1/21/19
v Foreign Aid Principles
– 2/8/11; 2/13/11; 2/20/11
v Redefining our Mission
and Purpose—7/4/15; 1/10/16
v Paying attention to
Process – 6/29/19; 3/10/20
v Changing the way
Congress Functions – 12/23/11; 1/8/12; 11/14/18
v Revising the Tax Code –
2/28/11; 1/6/13; 4/18/15;
v Preparing for a Future
that is already here – 4/8/18; 9/4/16
v Getting Back to Constitutional
Basics – the real Revolution – 7/29/18; 6/19/17
v Budgets are instruments
of morality—3/3/16; 10/5/15
v Protect our workers – 5/9/11;
5/15/11;
v Values Matter -- 8/14/17
v Principles of a New
Social Contract – “Well-faring” – 5/24/18; 3/3/16
v Where do all those
taxes go? 4/18/15; 3/3/16; 3/10/16
v Separation of Church
and State—2/18/12; 12/3/13;
v Problem-solving technique
is a necessity for all officeholders – 8/14/11
v NRA and other Lobbyists
must go – 12/15/12; 1/20/13; 5/13/13; 3/14/18
v Authoritarian Government
-- a pattern that Trump follows—2/5/18; 8/6/17; 11/17/15; 11/21/15; 11/30/15;
11/23/16
v Compromise is not
always the best strategy 11/14/18
v Defending Public
Servants – 7/9/11
As
we shelter-in-place, and leisure time needs filling, let us consider the
lessons we are learning. And, let us
resolve to come out of this pandemic with a new sense of our human
interdependence and our mutual humane responsibility for the well-being of all. Let us build on the heroism as well as the
painful experiences of many of our brothers and sisters to acknowledge our
overwhelming need to heal, to comfort (strengthen) and to sacrifice on behalf
of our human family and our own circle of loved ones. Let the grace and power of your love reach out
to others, and let that same power and grace come into your life to lift us all
to a new way of caring, of living and of governing. Be well, be strong, be safe. But most of all, find renewal and make ready
for opportunities to pay forward the goodness that will resurrect our lives and
our society.
.
