Bret Stephens is a conservative columnist for the New York Times and probably a lonely one too. He seems one of the few remaining conservatives who think, feel and strenuously process their way through the days events.  I read him to sharpen my own thought process even if I disagree on many of his points. He at least had the courage to try to defend the war in Iran, and did a credible job of highlighting the thoughts behind thoughts that have dominated the world narrative these fateful weeks.  Even so, The Good Decision’s mission is to help us make good decisions in front of the crisis rather than downstream where there is no reverse.  The mission of this Project narrows this writers focus and highlights the response here to Stephens.  

Stephens says yes this is our war. No, this is not our war. We have a leader who can’t share his decisions with the public who he apparently so distrusts he has resorted to autocracy and a predictable secrecy in starting it.  His stealth started this this failing war as president of a country called the United States of America founded and committed to democracy. Mr Stephens, you say yes, this is our war, but you say that to a population cultured and encultured in shared public decision making. I hope you never shop for a birthday present for me because I am concerned what you might think I want or need.

Modest Proposal for Good

The current administration interpreted their mandate as a plea from what they must think is a numb and ignorant constituency wanting their President to tell them what is good for them because they don’t know. The administration got two things wrong. First we are not numb and ignorant, and war was never the mandate. The mandate was for us do something for we needed to move on. “We” is the operative word here. The world was not right when we elected this government and and it is much worse now. To our current leadership the suggestion is to either step aside or assume the responsibilities of leadership in a democracy. Your only job is to administer to the needs of the public authority. That would be good. Mr. Stephens; I admire and appreciate your defense of the mess we are in. Unlike the current administration you are a thinking conservative albeit your way on this topic is so different than how I would proceed. That is what is called the freedom of speech in a democracy. Carry on keeping us sharp. We will do the same for you.