Last night’s State-of-the-Union (SOTU) revealed the extent to which our political tribalism has devolved. There was not even a trace of the gratuitous notion of bipartisanship or collaborative problem-solving. Perhaps both Parties have ultimately concluded that accountability and integrity are no longer meaningful when it comes to governance. Hypocrisy and dishonesty have (sadly) become the accepted norm. The stereotyping and vilification that underlies today’s relentless misinformation and disinformation appear to have won the day…

Unfortunately, these days, the “blame game” has become the dominant political strategy. Denying individual responsibility, and seemingly refusing to acknowledge even a modicum of organizational accountability, has grown and flourished throughout America’s litigious and adversarial landscape, undermining our country and culture. Nowhere in last night’s diatribe was this more evident than regarding the safety and security of our country – from the border crises to rampant crime across the land, particularly in the larger cities, we were told that our country has never been safer.

Demonizing and dehumanizing political opponents, with frequent comparisons to Hitler, Nazis, fascists and the worst of our most notorious evil-doers, real or fictional, has become second nature, whether addressing Congress or on the campaign trails.

An education system that focuses more on skin color, ethnicity, or even preferred gender, pitting the “oppressed” against the “oppressors” simply makes all of the above that much easier. Manipulation of the masses, starting with our younger generations, has led to a resurgence of rationalized misbehavior, including various justifications for violence where somehow “the end justifies the means.” This mindset has penetrated and replaced ideals that once revolved around the noble and aspirational pursuit of “truth, justice and the American Way.” Whatever happened to “choices have consequences?”

Who among us can name even a handful of role models or genuine heroes representing examples of altruism, self-sacrifice, hard work, dedication or charitable community service? How do we define “success” today? What or who are especially our younger generations to believe or look up to?