Well, I finally finished The Second Civil War by Ronald Brownstein. Quite a book, although not for the faint of heart or the impatient.
It should say something that I had to read this book in pieces. I loved the book and found it extremely informative, well thought and jam packed with great information. However, it was very thick and had to be taken in doses.
While reading this book, I also read Kings of New York by Michael Weinrab, Turning of the Tide by Don Yeager, I am America (and So Can You!) by Stephen Colbert, and Hatemail from Cheerleaders by Rick Reilly before finishing this one.
Most notable, however, was that this book seems to have provided Barack Obama with his playbook for healing this nation. The cure? Speak to the masses... propose middle-ground policies... end hyperpartisanship. Check, check and check.
This book looks at the political phases of this nation from the end of the Civil War through today. Divisions have come and gone, but it is clear that the last 7 years have been the most divisive BY FAR. The 51% rule has ruled the day. That means that, even if 70% supported a bill, it was to be poisoned so that enough Democrats would be shaken off to pass with as little support from them as possible.
The result has been the poisonous atmosphere we've been living in for what seems like an eternity. The tool to make it work: Fear. I am tired of fear.
The rub? Well, have you ever lived in a scenario like that while following the losing side? In short, it's not fun. The backlash has been seen in the Democratic turnout in this election season. They can feel the victory coming. Karl Rove never thought of that part of the 51% rule. You can only jam policy down the throats of the rest of the nation for so long before you get booted from office. Unfortunately, it turns out to take 7 years for people to get tired of that.
I, for one, am so happy that the tone is changing. Obama is not trying to go from 49% to 51% and start jamming liberalism down throats (although the vengeful part of me almost wishes all those right wingers would have to swallow such a bitter pill as I have had to, it's best to unite). Instead, he's doing the right thing and uniting this country. And, quite frankly, that just feels good.
Unbelievable background and insider-type of information can be gleaned from The Second Civil War. You will see that the poisonous atmosphere was created purposefully as a political strategy aimed at a long-term conservative political monopoly. And, it worked for 7 years. When I bought the book, it looked like it would go on forever, but while reading the book, I have watched as Obama has systematically broken down our divisions before my very eyes. It has been nice to watch the cure while reading in detail the diagnosis.
And, Mr. Brownstein was right. I recommend the book to anyone who is interested in how we got here. Unfortunately for Mr. Brownstein, I think most people are just happy to live in this moment of healing and reconciliation and just don't want to think about it anymore.
In fact, I think that's also why I took so long to read it.
