One political blog posts for old times sake

As I am writing a story exploring the Far East and Asian cultures, basically going to my roots, I am hit with an odd conundrum from the other side.

Everyone, Republican and Democrat, is using terms like "Exceptional" and "American Values", sounds interesting on a sound bite, but I don't really get it. The American people are deeply divided right now over a million issues, there really is no clear "American Value" that can be described as "Exceptional".

Does that mean I agree with Putin's New York Time Op-Ed? No, but it means there's a fundamental problem in American society and politics.

As I am writing about eastern philosophy, I am reminded of the Hundred Schools of Thought and how individuality had kept China as 7 different countries about 3,000 years ago..A central authority is always necessary for the functioning of a household, society, and nation. Whether I like President Obama or not, he is still American President and has my loyalty and fidelity as an American citizen.

If you ask others, well, the answer is divided and very muddled. I know Republicans, who claim they would never follow or even honor President Obama despite his position, because of all the wrongs he has done to the nation in their view. I understand their perspective and at points share it, but in my mind, it doesn't change reality.

For years, I've been trying to figure out a major question on my mind, why is politics so devoid of "realism" or practical concerns?

The answer is in western philosophy, the average man dreams of his own paradise and will not settle for a world that is imperfect. Eastern philosophy is less about living in paradise and values understanding the world around us. Taoist and Buddhist share this view that moderation is the best course.

Few politicians look at politics as civil service, instead it is personal and professional. Glory, achievement, and goals outline modern politics. Service to the people and state are goals, not values in this version of society. When civil service serves a personal agenda or view, there can be no "true" value system in a civilization just degrees of adherence and defiance.

As I said a long time ago, I am a dying breed of conservative.