Suppose They Gave a War and No One Came?

“Suppose they gave a war and no one came?” That question was first asked in 1966 by the writer Charlotte E. Keyes in an article for McCall’s. In 1970 “No One” was changed to “Nobody” and the phrase became the title of a 1970 comic drama. There is nothing inherently funny in the question, so I don’t know how easy it was to laugh at the film. I do know that these days many of us are being treated like a bunch of nobodies. At least that is the way most of the media — and certainly the new House of Representatives — is treating anyone who dares to question or care about the growing underclass in our country — a class that now extends well into what used to be the middle class. The very idea that everyone should have basic rights like medical care is mocked as socialist: “How ’bout a little personal responsibility there poor boy! What were you thinking getting sick without health insurance? Buck up and die with some dignity.”

Some writers, like David Brooks of the New York Times, like to call our new cultural regime a “meritocracy,” as if redistribution of wealth and influence to a small minority at the top is a natural result of their superiority, and not of rigging the game so they inevitably win. This “blame the victim” strategy goes back to Old Testament times when the poor and sick were seen as getting their just desserts for having in some way incurred God’s disfavor. And there is some truth to it being our own fault — as long as we stand by and let ourselves be victims, we do get what we deserve.

Coming out of the so-called “60s” many of us felt optimism that our culture would move steadily in a more spiritual, less material direction. People would think and create, and become all they can be. We would define ourselves by deeper values and be at peace with ourselves and each other. For some who have actively sought to become one with this intention there has been a measure of success. But for most, the culture has become more material and dominant, and deference to celebrities and the rich more prevalent. We become weaker and smaller while our “betters” become intimidating giants. We can barely go food shopping without expert approval of our choices. We sometimes fake enough backbone to whine and complain about wars fought for little reason or lament those left behind by a weak economy, but most of us follow along and accept that those who grab the lion’s share must really merit what they have.

That’s the situation. But what’s the solution? I’ve heard murmurings of armed rebellion, but let’s get real. Most of us in the opposition are pacifists anyway. We do know that since the 60s working within our established political system has been an abject failure, but many of us keep doing the same things: organizing for our political party, standing on street corners, essentially defining ourselves in opposition.

But suppose they gave a war and no one came? Suppose they built a culture and no one participated? Suppose we said, “Thanks but no thanks; I don’t think I want any of that.” Suppose a significant number refused, said “hell no, we won’t go,” and crafted our own culture. What would that look like, and how long could the mainstream stand it?

Gary Broughman operates CHB Media, which provides book development, editorial and publishing services. He has lived in Volusia County since 1983.