Commentary
Trump-Vance and Harris-Walz represent starkly different political visions. As tensions rise, it’s crucial to reflect on what unites us as a nation and people.
America’s strength lies not in homogenizing diverse cultures, but in fostering a shared moral ethos while preserving individuality. This approach has cultivated the freest minds in history.
America’s success in self-governance can be attributed to its unique culture, characterized by organic cooperation and a deep-rooted respect for shared moral principles.
Over time, America’s moral fabric shifted to prioritize avoiding harm over promoting benevolence, fueling a society built on mutual trust through adherence to moral standards.
As civilization advanced, America’s emphasis on avoiding immoral actions and leaving benevolent deeds to personal choice became integral to its societal framework.
This cultural foundation instilled a sense of security and trust among strangers, fostering a high-trust society conducive to voluntary cooperation on a scale unseen before.
However, this cultural cohesion is waning. Modern educators often prioritize virtue signaling over emphasizing the importance of moral restraint and adherence to shared values.
As America navigates this cultural shift, preserving the essence of mutual trust and moral integrity is paramount for maintaining the fabric of our society.
Every second of every day, incidents of mistrust occur on social media, in schools, on campuses, and even at work.
What truly matters for trust is not what you do, but what you choose not to do. However, since inactions go unnoticed, they cannot be praised or rewarded with social approval. Just imagine the response you would receive by boasting about the lies you refrained from telling, the property you resisted stealing, and the people you refrained from harming.
To gain explicit social approval, one must engage in moral behavior. Nowadays, Americans proudly showcase their adherence to moral norms—whether it’s using the “right” pronouns or boycotting the “wrong” individuals. However, this often translates to conforming to societal expectations rather than exercising genuine freedom.
In many American schools, children are taught that they should prioritize conformity to foster unity. Yet, it was the ability to freely cooperate with others, while maintaining individuality, that made America a free and prosperous nation.
Without emphasizing the importance of avoiding immoral behavior over simply following moral norms, our societal cohesion will weaken, leading to decreased trust and cooperation beyond close social circles. We risk losing the essence that once made America a beacon of freedom and prosperity.
The opinions expressed in this article belong to the author and may not align with those of The Epoch Times.
