What’s the Problem?

Do you agree with the statement that life is a problem, or does that sound like blaming life for personal failures? A frequent tactic in quarrels is to blame the other person, “YOU”RE the problem!” In our public discourse, there is an implication that problems are bad, but the reality is that problems are neither bad nor good - they just are.

The word “problem” comes from the Greek and means to “put forward”, as to propose a question. “Question” comes from the Latin and means a seeking or quest. Questions have “answers”, a word which comes from the Swedish and means to swear or affirm. Problems have “solutions”, which comes from the Latin for loosen, as to free up that which was put forward. We are dealing here with a rather diverse etymology, showing us the universality of people choosing a quest for the affirming freedom that comes from problem solving.

Politicians should be problem solvers, but dishonest politicians sometimes use problems for political gain, being more interested in casting blame for the existence of the problem on their political opponent than in seeking a solution. These deceivers frequently use the practice of “framing”, to distort a legitimate problem into sounding like a different one which they can use to better political advantage. Sometimes they even invent a problem when one does not actually exist, in order to blame the fictitious problem on their opponents. This tactic also serves to divert attention from legitimate problems that their opponents sincerely are interested in solving but that the deceivers don’t want solved. The current masters of these forms of deception are overwhelmingly members of the Republican Party.

Even if all politicians were sincerely interested in solving the legitimate problems we face, they would have to overcome the legacy of deception. The real issues would have to be separated from the bogus, false frames replaced with truer ones and the larger systemic problems recognized and addressed. If the politicians won’t do this, we can do it ourselves. Here are some of what I see as honestly framed systemic problems facing America [and some of their current surface manifestations], with links to a progressively oriented web site for each issue.

• What is the proper degree of constitutional restraint on the interjection of religious views into governmental activity? [Gay marriage, abortion, creationism].

• What is the proper definition of and balance between civil liberties and national security and how might it vary depending on legitimately perceived security threats? [Patriot Act, domestic spying, prisoner torture, deceptive leaks to the media].

• How do we complete the task of integrating African Americans fully into American life and healing our racial wounds? [Black disenfranchisement and disproportionate poverty, Katrina non-response and New Orleans neglect].

• What is the proper balance between environmental protection and business economic protection? [Global warming, fuel consumption, pollution and ecological concerns].

• How important is it that we have effective access to diverse and independent media? [Concentration of media ownership, control of the Internet and Public Broadcasting].

• What is the proper process and the best criteria for selecting Federal Judges? [Independent judiciary and judicial confirmations].

• What should the long range immigration policy be for America? [Border security, undocumented aliens, criteria for immigrant selection].

• How should we balance the interests of labor and management? [Labor protection laws, corporate rights and responsibilities, taxation].

• What should our long term role and goals be in international relations? [UN, globalization, humanitarian efforts, nation building, forceful intervention].

Our right and responsibility as citizens is to inform ourselves about the problems and questions America faces and to consider the solutions and answers. While fighting through the political flak and disassembling the phoney framing, we should always keep in mind the fundamental underlying problems. In evaluating candidates for office, we should look for those who have a long range vision similar to ours regarding the problems America faces and the solutions we believe are best for our country.