The Gray Area with Sean Illing Is America broken?
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Feb 10, 2025 Alana Newhouse, founder and editor-in-chief of Tablet Magazine, offers keen insights into America’s institutional divides. She introduces the concept of 'Brokenism,' exploring the clash between those wanting to repair institutions versus those pushing for their dismantlement. Newhouse highlights the emotional impact of systemic failures on individuals and critiques the increasing political polarization. The conversation encourages a deeper understanding of historical contexts and challenges everyone to engage constructively in the evolving political landscape.
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The Core Divide
- The most important political divide isn't between left and right, but between those who want to fix institutions and those who want to destroy them.
- These groups are called "status quoists" and "brokenists," respectively.
Ryan's Story
- A veteran named Ryan, a friend of Alana Newhouse, articulated this divide.
- He found he could talk to people across the political spectrum if they agreed institutions were broken.
A New Lens
- Focusing on institutional health can clarify issues like class and economics.
- Discussing the effectiveness of programs like Medicaid, rather than their ideological basis, can be more productive.