There's a book that should be required reading for those who fear for the future of the country, a nation torn by political polarization and led far astray by the misguided.
"The Greatest Generation," a 1998 No. 1 bestseller by television news anchor Tom Brokaw, tells the stories of Americans who came of age during the Great Depression and fought during World War II, undeniably the two most challenging times of the 20th century.
The book was born out of Brokaw's 1984 trip to France to commemorate the 40th anniversary of D-Day, the massive Allied invasion that turned the tide of World War II. He quickly resolved to chronicle their acts of heroism "as a small gesture of personal appreciation," he wrote in the preface to the book.
"As I did that on television, at dinner parties, and in commencement speeches, it had the effect of a chain letter that no one wanted to disrupt," Brokaw said. "Everyone seemed to want to share their own stories of parents, other family members, or acquaintances who were charter members of this remarkable generation."
Wrote Brokaw: "They answered the call to help save the world from the two most powerful and ruthless military machines ever assembled, instruments of conquest in the hands of fascist maniacs."
So, as he embarked on what became a "daunting undertaking" to highlight a mere sampling of their uncommon acts and deeds, Brokaw came to understand their place in history.
"It is, I believe, the greatest generation any society has ever produced," he said, noting that the men and women of that time fought not for fame and recognition, but because it was the "right thing to do."
The profound nature of that phrase dovetails neatly with the age-old expression that "it is never too late to do the right thing," which is what democracies around the globe need to do in an effort to counter the ever-present threat that dictatorial regimes pose to free societies throughout the world, as witnessed by the rise of extremist groups in the U.S., Germany, Israel, France, Italy, Brazil, and Peru.
Collectively, those threats should serve as our call to duty, to fulfill a mission that has the potential to set in motion a course correction for the benefit of mankind. No longer can we take our civil rights and civil liberties for granted, especially when in recent years we have witnessed elected officials brazenly trampling on the Constitution and violating their oaths of office.
The work begins by identifying, supporting, and electing political candidates who believe in the principle of service above self. That, in and of itself, is an especially tall order to counter a political culture which is rife with those who have sold their souls to lobbyists and special interest groups.
The danger those forces currently pose has led to perhaps one of the gravest moments in American history where many are losing faith in democracy and are questioning the desire to restore fairness to our social and economic life.
The pathway starts by choosing leaders of high moral character committed to doing good for others, which in effect roots out those who lack the will and ability to look beyond their own nose.
Secondly, candidates for public office must embody honesty, civility, and capability, displaying a temperament and resilience to confront the many challenges of our times.
And finally, they must possess a willingness to act as trusted public servants to those they have been chosen to represent, expressing a much-needed desire to make a difference in improving our way of life.
Our goal should be to tap into the great minds and souls of this new political generation, rekindling a greatness in a nation where the work of building a coalition for the common good is just beginning.
