By David K. Shipler
All
countries need myths, especially if they’re at least a little bit true. They
inspire imagination, set high standards, and foster hope. The American Dream is
such a myth, for it challenges the society to make real the principle that
anyone who works hard can prosper. American democracy is partly mythological in
an age of voter suppression and billionaire campaign funding.
President Obama has summoned up another
myth—one about American character—by often declaring that this or that bigoted,
inhumane, self-destructive policy is “not who we are.” That’s partly correct,
but only partly. The notion of a people inherently devoted to inclusive, rational decency is a beautiful myth being sullied
daily by the leading Republican presidential candidates and now, as seen in the
Iowa results, by their supporters. If they are “who we are,” then we have some
work to do on truth-telling, cooperative problem-solving, and respect for the
country’s religious and ethnic diversity.
