The other day I had a brief exchange on FB with a cousin regarding the SCOTUS ruling last week on the "individual mandate" and the Constitution. We disagreed on the nature of the Federal government as laid out by the Constitution, and how the document is to be interpreted. This lack of a common religion, understanding of history, culture, identity, and politics is probably representative of many Uhmerican families. Parents (in particular fathers) in the megapolis do not educate their children in religion and American republicanism. The lack of a common ethos (along with the emphasis on mobility) prevents families from strengthening themselves and becoming agents of community building or reform. While blood is thicker than water and the members of my extended family would probably come to our aid if we needed it, disagreement in visions for communal life dilutes our political strength.
Republicanism must start with families and extended kin networks.
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