The Craft of American Politics
Today’s journal entry is part six of Issue 021: The Beginning, Again which explores the cycle of dysfunction in American politics. To start from the beginning of the series, read the issue preview.
The cycle of dsyfunction
While dysfunction is ingrained in our way of operating, we can choose unity or craftsmanship at any time, in any place. Creating a culture of American unity for the next generation by inspiring it today is about lifestyles where we endlessly collaborate, build trust, and build endurance.
We can reverse the cycle of dysfunction (ideology, division, and burnout) when we choose these actions. For anyone working in American politics, a flywheel for political craftsmanship could look like this:
There is of course this idea out there that we can’t collaborate with some people because they are too evil, or because what they want is too evil. To be clear, we don’t necessarily know what people want or are about until we have collaborated, and collaboration is a use of power to force the presumed evil ones into the daylight where they have to reveal themselves too.
If someone thinks we should build temples to sacrifice babies to the gods, eventually they are going to have to say so—and get the buy-in of the people, or make it happen through violence. (Or to bring this very close to what we all remember: if someone thinks we should “close” beaches and outdoor spaces during a pandemic, blocking humanity from healthy lifestyles like exercise and fresh air, eventually they will have to say so, do so, and respond to the backlash. At the same time, if someone thinks all of humanity is immune to viruses, they will eventually have to deal with reality too. Listening, or collaborating, is about working through these scenarios in advance and adapting in real time so that we get better outcomes for the people we serve).
We can further define collaborate, build trust, and build endurance this way:
Collaborate (listen): Be inclusive of other people’s views and lived experiences.
Build trust (ask questions): Stay grounded in wisdom by always searching for it, and uphold the Constitution.
Build endurance (have vision): Create new solutions and culture over time for the next generation.
Any congressional office, campaign, or political operation can take this flywheel and use it to keep their team on track working with craftsmanship instead of chaos. The wording could be adjusted for the sake of style, and one or two additional points on the flywheel could be added, such as identify supporters and turn out the vote, raise donations, or move legislation or casework from start to successful completion. For any operation, Liberatus included, it will be critical to include a point that makes financial viability possible so that the work of self-governance can flourish.
Each point can include values, objectives, key performance indicators, and job descriptions.
From a Christian perspective, the roots of each point, collaborate, build trust, and build endurance, are rooted in love, wisdom, and the Spirit of God. The actions described here can renew culture and remake politics so that we make the country stronger for the next generation.
The final journal entry in this series will cover ways to manage creative energy as we collaborate, build trust, and build endurance.
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Inspiration for American unity is about lifestyles where we collaborate, build trust, and build endurance.
The theme of Volume One is Refuge and advocates for refugees and the displaced. We chose that theme because when we see ourselves in their stories, we begin to find the path to wisdom which is necessary for trust and ultimately American unity.
To make a $55 donation and get your copy of Volume One, click the image here.
20% of your donation will go to Border Perspective and Refuge Coffee Co.
WEEKLY ACTION POINT:
Take a look at the vision overview as we look to produce a biannual publication. Take time to pray in nature about your vocation or calling. Then, you can set up a monthly recurring donation as a Liberatus Advocate at the tab below. You can also write Volume Two with us by responding to a one-question interview. We will compile responses to the question about the future you imagine into a new vision asset to guide the stories that we tell, the research that we include, and the partner organizations that we fund.
To fund the ongoing work of the mission, including the creation of Volume Two, leader training, and community connections and gatherings, we’ve set a goal of raising $2,000 in monthly commitments. As of this writing, 10 donors are contributing $220 a month. You can join them and co-create the mission with us using the tab below.
Mission: Inspire American Unity
Liberatus offers inspiration for American unity in beautiful, well-researched illustrated journals, written by professionals across the political spectrum, to help us all choose unity, build endurance, and become the leaders who make our country more just and free for the next generation.
Journal Entry #147
ISSUE 021: THE BEGINNING, AGAIN — PART 6