On Civic Virtue

We are missing an essential element in our political discourse, and in managing our republic.  Civic virtue, which the founders regarded as crucial to the success of their edifice, is in short supply.  The notion that people should set aside their personal interests in favor of the nation's interest is foundational to our republic.  The Greeks and Romans regarded civic virtue as the duty of a citizen.  Montesquieu, who influenced Hamlton and Madison so profoundly, named virtue as vital to a republic if it would avoid failure.

Romans looked to the story of Cincinnatus, who left his plow to save his country, then declined honors offered preferring to return to his plow.  Our WWII generation put their lives on hold and saved the world. Civic - public - virtue that set examples of behavior for us to follow. 

So, what do we have now?  Politicos using bad-faith assertions to misinform voters and pursue their own agenda - and erode the fabric of our republic.  Parties staking out ideological positions with apparently little regard for damage to the nation.  Is this patriotic??  Media types whose career aspirations impede them from effectively exerting their vital role.  And we citizens who do not do the necessary work to inform ourselves, to act when needed and to resist the callous exhortations of those who want power, money and influence at the expense of the nation.

Without civic virture we risk losing our most precious inheritance.