As 2020 winds down (Lord have mercy), it is more and more apparent that no extreme, whether conservative or liberal, will serve this nation. What will serve us all is knowing when to favor individual freedom and knowing when to pull in the reins of compliance and lead through crisis.
We are creatures of community. When evolution freed our hands, it took away the possibility of predation and invited us to cooperate. Within our communities are diverse levels of consciousness requiring leadership. The leader cannot be a one trick pony, applying one formula to every situation. A ‘one size fits all’ mentality has failed in our current pandemic. Out of fear of losing individual freedoms, we have created a free-for-all, resulting in many levels of suffering.
On the other hand, assuming every move we make must be shepherded compulsively even after the pandemic is history, is the fear of many. “If we give up individuality, we will become a communist country.” Slipping too far to left seems like we will disincentivize people from working and being productive. “Something for nothing” would create a nation of slaves to the government.
There are times to incentivize, lead and promote individuality and creativity. Then there are times to raise the bottom, prevent harm to the masses and use science and economics as yardsticks. Being locked in any one approach will result in unintentionally being harmful to many.
The great leaders have known when to pull us together during crises. During times of abundance, they have known to promote individuality and creativity. To make the job of leadership more daunting, the welfare of community and serving individuality often operate at the same time, requiring a deft hand.
The art of egoless compromise takes extremes to the center. We badly need that now and going forward. Our complex, diverse and sprawling nation is One Nation, Under God and (hopefully) Indivisible.
From my lips, Rosanne Bostonian
