Making the argument for arguing

By Mac McKerral
05/23/08

The expression “Why can’t we all get along” doesn’t set well with Howard Fineman — at least when it comes to Americans.

Look to Fineman’s recently published book to see why, “The Thirteen American Arguments: Enduring Debates That Define and Inspire Our Country.”

Fineman sees “arguing” as part of America’s DNA. He admits that certain aspects of that arguing pose problems — shouting, hate mongering and name-calling.

But for the most part, Fineman sees the “argument” as the thing that most makes America and Americans special.

“We are the Arguing Country, born in, and born to, debate,” he writes in the book’s introduction. “The habit of doing so — the urgent, almost neurotic need to do so — makes us unique and gives us our freedom, creativity and strength.”

Fineman’s book breaks no new ground historically. Rather, it puts America’s history into some context with regard to how as a country America arrived as it did in 2008 — through its arguing.

And it poses some questions as to where our intellectually combative nature might take this country.

His lucky list of 13 “debates” — ranging from “Who is a person” to “What Can We Know and Say” to “A fair, ‘More Perfect’ Union” — and others in between hit high points in the quest by Americans to get it right, even though most of us know the union won’t ever become perfect.

I agree with Fineman. It’s all about the journey — and the arguing — despite the déjà vu nature of both.

Fineman sums up why he wrote the book, and more important, what he hopes people take from it, this way: “… the message of this book is this: We need to calm down, get engaged and look for leadership.”

Now more than ever, Americans must heed these words, not because Fineman recommends it and not because they offer some novel approach to creating a better America. Those marching orders have come to Americans throughout history, and history shows that in most cases Americans respond.

A host of political candidates tell us this each day: Our country sits at a historical precipice. Mistakes now can unlock a gateway to unimaginable consequences, ones from which America might not recover.

I agree.

Now more than ever since World War II, Americans need to establish resolve by retreating to what we do best: arguing.

The arguments need to shed those negative signatures referenced above, which detract from positive outcomes derived from healthy debate.

The arguments need to leave the “red-” and “blue-” state mentality at the door. The arguments need to clearly frame the direction to which America’s moral compass points.

And the arguers — each of us who really cares about our country — must do what Americans might not do so well a lot of the time: Acknowledge when the opponent makes the better point and embrace it.

Indeed, Americans are great arguers. But admitting we are wrong?

That’s another story.

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