War: An Extension of Diplomacy
2,600 years ago Sun Tsu, a Chinese philosopher/general wrote in his seminal treatise, “The Art of War,” that the best military leader is one that skillfully avoids active warfare, but if faced with no option except submission and total defeat, prosecutes the strongest possible aggressive war, takes no half-measures, is 100% aggressive, and survives with victory. His was excellent advice.
In 1832, General von Clausewitz, a superb German tactician and strategist, expanded on Tsu’s premise, stating that modern war was in effect an extension of [failed] diplomacy. His observation was and remains spot-on. American politics today is a metaphor for the dual wisdom of these two insightful warrior/ statesmen.
Unfortunately, 21st century American politics has morphed from semi-civil debate as in Bill Clinton’s term to an unfortunate situation of an almost total lack of simple courtesy and respect for differing opinions, political, social or economic. This is manifestly evident nationally in “identity” politics; this zero-sum game has turned political opponents into almost mortal enemies. Originalists/conservatives vs. “woke” progressives presently see each other as enemies to be crushed instead of misguided patriots to be civilly dealt with by elections. It is a movement initiated by “leftist” progressives but which seems to have caused right-wing conservatives to fight fire with fire. It is a war.
As previously pointed out, our country has not been this critically divided since Lincoln’s campaign for president in 1859-60; the issue then was simply slave states vs free states. Today we are at a similar fork in the road forward: a welfare state wherein the government “takes care of” the people with unworkable social programs funded by higher taxes, etc. OR a conservative state wherein the able-bodied people take a larger share of the responsibility for themselves and their families through a work ethic, sense of self-reliance, family values and reasonable taxes.
A perfect example of the difference between the two opposing parties 35 years ago was Communist East Germany (DDR) and West Germany. I saw both firsthand; daylight and dark, B&W and technicolor lifestyles. A perfect example today is the difference between California and Texas. The former is hemorrhaging people to escape $6/gasoline and all the rest that represents; Texas attracts millions of new citizens and businesses each year, invariably from California and super high-tax, rust belt states on the east coast. The differences between the two parties could not be more clear. This is a war patriots must win, or we lose what remains of our American Way of Life.
Personalities aside, which would be a better America for you?
God bless America!
El Sellers Fairfield
