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.