The soul of American greatness

By Terrence Keeley
Real Clear Wire

Donald Trump and J.D. Vance have been given an historic mandate to “Make America Great Again.” Their mandate for change is especially strong among rural voters, evangelicals, blue-collar workers and those without college degrees.

But what exactly makes America great – and how will a Trump-Vance administration transform the lives of those who believe the current system is unresponsive to their needs? Marginalized Americans want greater access to ladders of opportunity and self-esteem. America cannot be great until it does significantly better for the multitudes who feel they have been left behind.

Equanimity matters. America is great when we are prosperous, and generous. America is great when we are militarily invincible, and at peace. America is great when we are confident, and humble. America is great when we are efficient, and mindful of our environment and the most needy. America is great when our industries lead the world, and take care of their employees and the communities in which they operate.

Early appointments announced by President-elect Trump and his transition team reveal a commitment to make good on many ambitious campaign promises. In particular, the appointment of RFK Jr. to “go wild on health care” at HHS, and Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to run a Department of Government Efficiency suggest dramatic, new directions for health and welfare programs, as well as an end to wasteful government spending. These are necessary steps to enact promised change – but by themselves, not enough to make America great.

Americans have been taught since birth to honor the inherent dignity of every person, to embrace personal responsibility and hard work, and to care for all who are unable to care for themselves. Americans prize self-reliance and charity, principles known as subsidiarity and solidarity.  

As a country, we must get better at putting these principles into practice. We will never be great without them. Just as President-elect Trump has empowered an independent Department of Government Efficiency, he should consider creating an equally powerful, pathbreaking agency dedicated to improving the lives of the downtrodden and marginalized. While Musk and Ramaswamy bring greater efficiency and cost savings to government, something like an independent Department of Community Solidarity could promote human dignity; scale impactful economic, educational and social solutions; and ensure every hard-working American gets the growth opportunities they deserve.

What might an independent agency dedicated to promoting human dignity do exactly? Drawing on the support of thousands of NGOs and millions of volunteers, a Department of Community Solidarity would identify and propagate the most impactful programs that help vulnerable Americans with substance abuse, recidivism, housing, education, job counseling, financial advice, spiritual guidance, and personal tragedies. An independent solidarity department would also ensure that best practices in combating, say, homelessness in Utah are shared with responsible agencies in New York, Arkansas, and Alabama.

It would systematically cross-breed policies in better-run cities with others who are struggling with poor finances, corruption, and lawlessness. A Department of Community Solidarity would also ensure that 24/7 national hotlines are staffed with trained volunteers who fervently believe we are our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. A Department of Community Solidarity would demonstrate how we as a nation are prepared to be measured by how we treat our least fortunate.

University of Chicago professor Raghuram Rajan argues that societies thrive when their three fundamental pillars – the economy, government, and NGO/ civic institutions – are in balance. When markets are too weak, societies become impoverished; when governments become too strong, they become autocratic. Rajan passionately advocates for more “inclusive localism,” where communities have more power to address local issues and concerns, acting as a check on the centralized power of markets and the state. A Department of Community Solidarity would be empowered to promote inclusive localism in all 50 states.

American greatness depends upon our ideals and principles. President Trump has been overwhelmingly elected to Make America Great Again. He now has every branch of government at his disposal to do so. To succeed, President Trump and his allies in Congress must promote the principles of human dignity, subsidiarity, and solidarity with the same fervor with which they pursue greater efficiency, energy abundance, and economic and military superiority.

History beckons. By heightening America’s commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity, President Trump could lay claim to a title many have long sought but never fully earned: leader of a nationwide movement that is truly of, by, and for the people.

Terrence R. Keeley is author of "Sustainable" and "Ending ESG" and is CEO of 1PointSix LLC.